EVAN ALMIGHTY

RYAN: I see the pitch meeting now: the writers walk into the studio head’s office and say, “It’s a reinterpretation of Noah’s Ark set in modern day. It’s a summer blockbuster… and it’s a comedy. Go!”

CAROLINE: Honey, a few years ago that pitch might not have flown, but in this day and age of Bible worship, movies like this work. And they also work for saps like me, I might add.

RYAN: Enter “Evan Almighty.”

CAROLINE: …starring one Steve Carell, whom we adore. He does not disappoint in this film. I now love him more than ever.

RYAN: I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I left this film feeling incredibly upbeat and happy. This movie was so much fun.

CAROLINE: I’m shocked at how much I liked it. It’s definitely family-oriented; it’s rated PG after all. But the message is great and I bought it hook, line and sinker. I loved the biblical allegory and I loved the comedic chemistry between Morgan Freeman and Steve Carell.

RYAN: And the C.G.I. is amazing! The animals look so real and terrif! And when the movie gets to the part where it’s summer blockbuster-ness comes through, it super-delivers.

CAROLINE: Totally! I was clutching my seat for minute. I think I even gasped.

RYAN: There are a lot of good things to say about this movie: first of all, it’s the right length.

CAROLINE: Ninety-five minutes, baby! Love it.

RYAN: All of the supporting roles were outstanding, with only one exception. The good ones were Wanda Sykes, who’s always fabulous.

CAROLINE: And John Goodman, who is so funny and plays a great a**hole.

RYAN: He is such a good villain. If you’ve seen one of my favorite movies, “Born Yesterday,” he plays a great bad guy in that too. It’s worth renting.

CAROLINE: Morgan Freeman is great in “Evan Almighty,” and there’s also the funny dude from “Knocked Up,” Jonah Hill, playing a super-anal political aide.

RYAN: The only one who disappointed was Lauren Graham as Steve Carell’s wife. She looked way too young to have three sons who are those ages.

CAROLINE: That didn’t bother me because she had a teenage daughter on “Gilmore Girls.” She’s neither here nor there is this movie, though she was a little too tall for Steve Carell. He needed a shorter, more petite wife in this, since he’s a little elfin himself.

RYAN: Let the record show Steve Carell looks so much better in his shock-white Noah wig than Jessica Alba does in her blond faux tresses in “Fantastic Four.”

CAROLINE: Steve Carell can do no wrong in my eyes. I loved him in this movie. He’s funny, he’s charming, he’s cute…I could go on.

RYAN: This movie should almost not be seen as a sequel to “Bruce Almighty” because it really stands alone as its own film. It doesn’t rely on any of the gags from the first film, which sequels usually do. I think it’s better than “Bruce Almighty” actually… maybe because audiences prefer Steve Carell these days to Jim Carrey.

CAROLINE: Don’t get me wrong – the movie has its sappy moments. Our friend Cheryl came to the movie with us, and she said she had to suspend her disbelief a little bit. But we all really liked it. I like a little cheesiness sometimes.

RYAN: If you liked this movie, it means you like kids’ movies because at the end of the day, this is a film for kids. What’s your bottom line?

CAROLINE: I’d consider it a family film. I definitely laughed out loud a few times and thought I’m not an avid reader of the Bible, I found the ark story entertaining and sweet. I thought it was a good movie, but I think having Steve Carell as its star helped it.

RYAN: I have to reiterate that I have a good feeling walking out of this film. I’m smiling; cheerful; all is well with the world. It has happy music at the end over the credits. And overall the story is light-hearted and fun. But you can’t go in with the wrong attitude; if you’re very critical of films, there’s a lot here for you to go to town on. But if you want some escapism and some PG-rated entertainment, you’ll adore.

CAROLINE: Don’t go in expecting too much and don’t leave before the credits ‘cuz they’re funny.

RYAN: Amen.