Bruce Almighty (Widescreen Edition)

Starring:Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Baker Hall, Catherine Bell, Lisa Ann Walter, Steve Carell, Nora Dunn, Eddie Jemison, Paul Satterfield (II), Mark Kiely, Sally Kirkland, Tony Bennett, Timothy Di Pri, Brian Tahash, Lou Felder, Lillian Adams, Christopher Darga, Jack Jozefson, Mark Adair-Rios
Director: Tom Shadyac
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Bestowing Jim Carrey with godlike powers is a ripe recipe for comedy, and Bruce Almighty delivers the laughs that Carrey's mainstream fans prefer. The high-concept premise finds Carrey playing Bruce Nolan, a frustrated Buffalo TV reporter, stuck doing puff-pieces while a lesser colleague (the hilarious Steven Carell) gets the anchor job he covets. Bruce demands an explanation from God, who pays him a visit (in the serene form of Morgan Freeman) and lets Bruce take over while he takes a brief vacation. What does a petty, angry guy do when he's God? That's where Carrey has a field day, reuniting with his Ace Ventura and Liar, Liar director, Tom Shadyac, while Jennifer Aniston gamely keeps pace as Bruce's put-upon fiancée. Carrey's actually funnier before he becomes Him, and the movie delivers a sappy, safely diluted notion of faith that lacks the sincerity of the 1977 hit Oh, God! Still, we can be thankful that Carrey took the high road and left Little Nicky to Adam Sandler. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2007-06-18

As a pastor, I had some misgivings before I saw this film. Now, I wish I had seen it long before. It is delightful, hilarious and not at all blasphemous. It is a comedy that actually has some redeeming theological value.

The story is of a self absorbed news reporter. When things don't go as he wished, he falls into a theological temper tantrum and calls God out for the injustice he perceives to have been done. God answers the call and teaches the self absorbed idiot a lesson by granting him divine power over a limited area of New York.

At first this seems like a lot of fun but it soon becomes apparent that as he gets what he wants, he loses that which he most needs...the love of his long suffering girlfriend.

I would never call this a teaching tool but it does have a point and that point is amusingly put. It's a great job.

No Cohesion/Too Manic.......2007-05-19

Jim Carrey's energy level is unbelievable considering he ain't that young anymore. However in 'Bruce Almighty' he plays an unsympathetic character who did not deserve God's undivided attention. So the premise of the movie stinks from the get go. The movie was also deleted to death which tells me the studio destroyed any cohesion it may otherwise have had. These 'God' movies are nearly impossible to pull off anyhow unless they're being done from a non-secular perspective. You know what I'm talkin about if you've been around for a while or can remember the backlash that 'Little Nickie' caused. The supporting cast is outstanding for this movie but they can't save it from a wishy washy, cliched script. Catherine Bell is pretty much missing in action and or regulated to stick figure status. What a waste ! The funniest scene in the movie was deleted. It involved Carrey free-falling onto Big Foot and then they both miraculously survive. I don't know about you but that was a side-splitting moment for me ! Jim Carrey is funny but here he has little restraints put on him so it's just too much Carrey. If I could redo the movie from scratch I'd one 'Attempt to get religion out of it' , two 'reduce Jim Carrey's exposure-make him more sympathetic', three 'Increase Catherine Bell's exposure'. We're talkin about a much different movie now. Jennifer Aniston is good. I'd keep her. Morgan Freeman is excellent as God but I would have made him a bum that a way more sympathetic Carrey befriends to beneficial effect. I could go on and on about the movie that could have been and I will: Every time I watch this one !

"I am Bruce Almighty! My will be done!".......2007-05-07

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS

TITLE: Bruce Almighty

PREMIERED IN: 2003

RATED: PG-13

RUNNING TIME: 102 Minutes

STARRING: Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carrel

PLOT: A TV news reporter named Bruce (Carrey) is tired of having a "mediocre life" and blames all of his problems on God. Needless to say, he suddenly meets God (Freeman) and is given Godlike powers. While Bruce starts to enjoy his newfound glory, his girlfriend Grace (Aniston) is worsening because he is still the same person that he has been: egotistical. 9/10

CHARACTERS/PERFORMANCES: Carrey and Aniston are typically brilliant as the troubled couple. Carrel, I believe, steals the show as the antagonist that every news reporter would love to hate. Freeman was absolutely stunning as the humanlike God. He made me feel good about being a Protestant. But let's not forget all the memorable moments of this film. Bruce secretly tormenting new anchorman Evan (Carrel) is memorably hilarious. I don't know how Carrel was able to pull it off. Bruce breaking down on the Maid of the Mist was almost gave me a heart attack! The way he yelled out the word "eroding" just made me so happy with laughter. 9/10

THE SCRIPT/DIALOGUE: The script was top-notch, with every scene elaborated very nicely. 10/10

DIRECTOR: Tom Shadyac proves that he is a good Christian by getting the point across perfectly. There is no hint of biased storytelling anywhere; it just tells about God and the miracles that we control. Shadyac makes the tension throughout the movie flawless as Bruce Nolan starts to tear away the entire Earth whenever he works his magic. He also makes sure that the comedy is never over-the-top, although the drama can be a bit melodramatic at a few points in the movie. All in all, Shadyac does a brilliant job here. 9/10

PACING: It's perfectly paced. Nuff said. 9/10

CINEMATOGRAPHY: It's all good. There are no flaws in lighting or coloring whatsoever. 9/10

SETS AND COSTUMES: It's all modern, so there's nothing special about it. God's suit, however, might symbolize either hope or comfort. 10/10

MUSIC: It sounds very nice, although it isn't anything special. The songs (by Mick Jagger, Joan Osbourne, and Fatboy Slim) seem to fit perfectly for this movie. 8/10

VISUAL EFFECTS: All the CGI effects look realistic and beautiful. The "close-up" of the moon might be the only exception, though. 10/10

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: The deleted scenes and extra outtakes had me in stitches (not literally)! 9/10

CONCLUSION: This isn't your typical feel-good comedy, but it does have countless moments that will make you cheer. This is one of the finest comedies that I have seen.

OVERALL GRADE: 9.2/10 A-

FUNNY BUT TRUE.......2007-05-06

THIS MOVIE IS FUNNY BUT THE FACTS IN THIS MOVIE ARE VERY TRUE. IT SHOWS THAT WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. THEYRE ALOT OF CRUEL PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD BUT BRUCE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. HE WAS CARING, HARD WORKING, LOVED HIS GIRLFRIEND, AND TRIED HELPING A HOMELESS MAN. BUT NO MATTER WHAT BRUCE DID IT ALWAYS BACKFIRED ON HIM. HE IN RETURN GOT MAD AT GOD AND CURSED HIM. HE THEN KEPT GETTING BEEPED ON HIS PAGER BY A WEIRD #. HE CALLED IT AND TO MAKE LONG STORY SHORT HE MET GOD. ALL IN ALL THIS MOVIE PROVES A POINT. ONLY GOD CAN KNOW WHATS RIGHT OR WRONG FOR YOU. AND NOBODY CAN OVER POWER GOD. JUST BUY THIS MOVIE YOULL WATCH IT MORE THAN ONCE TRUST ME.

Jim Carrey is ALMIGHTY funny.......2007-05-03

Here is how I knew the movie was funny-- I went in thinking it would be funny; expecting it to be funny; hoping it would be funny and WANTING it to be funny. Turns out-- it WAS funny.

Jim Carrey stars as Bruce Nolan a human interest TV Reporter in Buffalo, NY at a crossroads. In a bit of life parallel maybe (wanting to be taken seriously as a dramatic actor while being wildly hilarious??), Nolan's high ratings and beautiful girlfriend Grace (well played by Jennifer Aniston), are not enough as feels he is due something bigger & better as he awaits a possible promotion to station anchor.

In a wildly funny, angry & poignant moment (we all have been there) Carrey's Nolan angrily lashes out at God -- and the Almighty (HILARIOUSLY portrayed by the ever-suave Morgan Freeman) responds, endowing Bruce with all of His divine powers. And from there, the movie just takes off with Carrey given free-license to be a comedically-selfish almighty.

Shenanigans at the station, romantic-goofing around with Grace & potty-training the dog, all lend to another fine outing from director Tom Shadyac who let Carrey run amok in Ace Ventura as well as Liar, Liar. Its a winner, and at only 1 hr 40 mins, leaves you wanting a bit more, which in this case, is a good thing.

Average customer rating:

Good Movie, and Decent HD Presentation.
I can do anything better than you.

Bruce Almighty [HD DVD]
Starring: Mark Adair-Rios , Lillian Adams , Jennifer Aniston , Tony Bennett , and Steve Carell
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

General | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Comedy | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Science Fiction & Fantasy | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000OHZL3K
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Description

Comic genius Jim Carrey stars with Jennifer Aniston and Morgan Freeman in the funniest, most outrageously entertaining comedy hit of the year that critics are applauding as "a laugh a minute" (Jim Ferguson, FOX-TV). Bruce Nolan (Carrey) is a discontented TV reporter who believes the entire universe is stacked against him. In a life-altering encounter, the Big Guy Upstairs (Freeman) endows Bruce with all of His divine powers and challenges Bruce to take on the big job to see if he can do it any better. Bruce Almighty is the wildly funny comedy featuring "Jim Carrey at his best!" (Leonard Maltin, Hot Ticket)

Customer Reviews:

Good Movie, and Decent HD Presentation........2007-06-23

I've always loved this movie i thought it was heartfelt and funny, and jim carrey was great in it. The HD presentation was good enough for me although not great, still a huge step up from the dvd. It has great colors and sense of depth to the image and i for one am really glad they put this movie out in HD. well to sum it up great movie good HD disc pick it up you will not regret it.

I can do anything better than you........2007-06-04

No you can't.
Yep Bruce is really down on his luck, and we are reminded of that old saying,"never hit a man when he is down, Kick him it is easer."
After assessing the situation he comes to the conclusion that his situation is the direct results of gross negligence on the part of his maker. He makes the monumental decision to express his thought. Naturally in the tradition of the "Oh God" movies, only this time Morgan Freeman is god, Bruce is challenged to see if he could do any better. This time instead of, "Death takes a Holiday" (1934), God takes his. Now that Bruce has a chance to be in charge. What changes will we see? Was Bruce's assessment of the situation correct or a tad jaded from the situation?

Of course this is a formula movie with the outcome determined before we start. Jim Carrey relies on his Carrey faces to carry the movie. These facial expressions were cute in "Once Bitten" (1985) but get a little long in the tooth by now. Jennifer Aniston of "Office Space" (1999) fame does an excellent supporting role.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful
No Cohesion/Too Manic
"I am Bruce Almighty! My will be done!"
FUNNY BUT TRUE
Jim Carrey is ALMIGHTY funny

Bruce Almighty (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Mark Adair-Rios , Lillian Adams , Jennifer Aniston , Tony Bennett , and Steve Carell
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DTS | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0000AKCKJ
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2007-06-18

No Cohesion/Too Manic.......2007-05-19

"I am Bruce Almighty! My will be done!".......2007-05-07

FUNNY BUT TRUE.......2007-05-06

Jim Carrey is ALMIGHTY funny.......2007-05-03

Average customer rating:

Bruce Almighty/Liar Liar
Starring: Universal 2 Pak
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0001CNRE8
Release Date: 2004-04-27

Average customer rating:

Wonderful
No Cohesion/Too Manic
"I am Bruce Almighty! My will be done!"
FUNNY BUT TRUE
Jim Carrey is ALMIGHTY funny

Bruce Almighty [Region 2]
Starring: Jim Carrey , Morgan Freeman , Jennifer Aniston , Philip Baker Hall , and Catherine Bell
Director: Tom Shadyac
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video