Bruce Almighty

For the most part, Bruce Almighty marks the return of the rubber-faced, overacting Jim Carrey we once knew…minus any new material…plus another sappy Majestic revelation wrapping it all up. When Bruce Nolan (Carrey) admonishes God (Morgan Freeman) for ruining his life, he’s granted omnipotence in order to straighten out his hardships. As you can imagine—or simply infer from the commercials, which, in 30 seconds, exhaust all of the gags from the entire 105-minute movie—Carrey abuses his newfound powers. While trying desperately to invent some new catchphrases (and even forcibly resurrect proven Ace Ventura catcalls with longtime comedy writing and directing buddies Steve Oedekerk and Tom Shadyac), Bruce squeezes out a couple of comedy leavings—but most of those come courtesy of The Daily Show’s Steve Carell. The rest of the film leaves you with the sad feeling that comes with watching a fallen comedy hero fumbling to regain old form.