The benevolent, godly presence of Morgan Freeman comes out as a born-again tree hugger in Evan Almighty. He's an Almighty on the lookout for a new Noah to build a new ark because of what we're doing to His Creation.

It's a gentle, warm, "big tent" big-budget comedy with all the rough edges rubbed off. Not an edge to be found. You'd be hard pressed to find something in "Evan" that would offend, unless you're racially, politically, religiously or environmentally narrow-minded.

Of course, the best comedies push the envelope, tweak mores and spear sacred cows. "Evan" does none of these and suffers mightily for it. But there are family-friendly (and Christian-accented) charms and laughs in this blend of Oh God!, Ace Ventura and Field of Dreams.

Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) is a Buffalo TV news anchor who has won a seat in Congress. His party isn't identified. But he's a TV personality. He makes a big show out of praying. His first purchase to celebrate the career change is a HumVee. His second is a McMansion in a newly clear-cut valley in the Virginia suburbs of Washington.

And he has won his seat by promising to "Change the World." God (Freeman) takes him up on it. Evan may be all set to sell out to the pro-rapacious development committee chair (John Goodman) who wants him on board his "Pave the National Parks" bill. But Mr. "One nation, under Me" has other plans.