Bruce Almighty Review:

Last summer, Jim Carrey moved back into his usual comedic self with one of his best performances in one of his best films with Bruce Almighty. Though the first half of the film runs past its course of jokes, the movie actually beautifully blends drama and comedy, and Carrey leads the way.

Carrey plays television reporter Bruce Nolan, who is always looking to make it to the big top as Buffalo, New York’s nightly anchorman. However, Bruce is always stuck with side stories that he enjoys doing, but wants more. He is continually supported by his sweet school teacher girlfriend Grace (Jennifer Aniston), who just wants happiness. As the film opens, one bad thing after another happens to Bruce including losing his job, and he blames God for picking on him.

The next thing he knows is he is summoned and encounter by God (Morgan Freeman), who endows Bruce with all of his powers, since he believes he can do better. With the powers, Bruce walks on water, gets a flashy car, and makes his dog use the toilet among other things. However, when things get out of hand do to his self-indulging choices of his new powers, instead of helping others, he turns back to God for answers.

This is very entertaining film that opens just as another Jim Carrey type of movie, but turns into to more than that. The film is funny, enthralling, but the light drama about self-discovery, faith and prayer is what stands out above all. The film was directed by veteran comedy filmmaker Tom Shadyac, who also directed Carrey in Ace Ventura; Pet Detective and Liar, Liar. In addition to Carrey, the whole cast is solid with Morgan Freeman as God and Jennifer Aniston as Bruce’s dedicated girl friend.

Bruce Almighty is a light comedy with the force of Jim Carrey that is better than what it first perceives to be.

Picture & Audio

The disc is transferred clearly, with the most visually fresh moments taking place when Bruce encounters God in the various bright white places.

The sound of the disc is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS. The sound works fine for this film, which has a very catchy soundtrack. The lighting and other sound effects of Bruce’s powers are contained, but effective

Extras

Audio Commentary
• Director Tom Shadyac

“The Process of Jim”
This six-minute featurette has Tom Shadyac talking about his relationship with Carrey, as well as the process of doing take after take with him. With Carrey being a master at comedic improvisation, this featurette then shows three examples of him using take after take to find more discoveries in his craft. This is feature that is kudos to all Carrey fans. Shadyac also tells how it was hard to edit the film, do to the numerous great takes that Carrey delivers, and confesses that he is not funny all the time on the set, but is a joy to work with.

Outtakes
A seven-minute blooper and gag reel that is a continuance of the reel from the end credits. There are many laugh-out loud moments here with Carrey, Aniston, and Freeman, including many flubbed lines. These are more fun moments for the viewers to ponder on.

Deleted Scenes
This disc contains 15 deleted scenes or altered scenes that last for half an hour. Some of the deleted scenes are very amusing, and seems that they could have been left end, but through commentary the director explains why each were cut. However, there are many other ones that are horrible moments and seems to would have brought the film down if left in. The enjoyable cut moments include more development of Philip Baker Hall’s character as Carrey’s boss, in which he confesses to Bruce his sins and also catches the eye of the tomato soup waitress. The extensions of the bakery scenes are also funny, with Carrey being his usual self, but it would have made the opening sequence way too long. The not so enjoyable cut moments include more mischief by Carrey’s character put on his anchor nemesis while delivering the news. The deleted scene is darker, with Carrey’s Bruce making Evan have an over the top nose bleed while on the air, as well as his hair catching on fire. The hair joke is also touched on in the altered version of when Carrey apologizes. These and other ones, such as when Aniston becomes a traffic director in a grocery store or weak scenes that were rightfully cut or changed in the film. Other additional scenes have Bruce reporting while skydiving, discovering Bigfoot, punishing thieves that steal his car, and striking rods of lighting at rioters.

Filmographies & more
• Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, Lisa Ann Walter, Philip Baker Hall, Catherine Bell, Steve Carell, Nora Dunn, Sally Kirkland

• Director Tom Shadyac and producers James Brubaker, Michael Bostick, Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber

• DVD-Rom Features---web links of Universal

Trailers
• Before the film starts: Seabiscuit, Johnny English, American Wedding, and Bring It On Again

• Commercial for Universal’s Chase MasterCard

• Bruce Almighty Theatrical Trailer

Overall

Bruce Almighty is a one of last year’s better comedies and it has put Jim Carrey back on the map. Outside of the movie itself, the DVD is just above mediocre. In defense, the deleted scenes and outtakes are nice, and The Process of Jim is really a treat. However, there is only one commentary on the disc by the director, without any by Carrey, Freeman or any of the other cast members. There are also no interviews with anybody outside of Shadyac, which is disappointing. Perhaps the film was just rushed out onto DVD, and there will be a collector’s edition to come out in a few years with a lot more to offer for DVD fans to divulge. The features that are available are mirthful, but it leaves you wanting more, especially some insight from Carrey.

The Film: B
Video Quality: B
Audio Quality : B+
Extra Features: C+

DVD as a whole: B-

Joseph C. Tucker

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