Jim Carrey missed the blatant personal metaphor in his new movie Bruce Almighty.

The only explanation is, he knows he's rich, powerful and arrogant enough to flaunt his refusal to take the advice his character gets from, of all people, the Creator himself.

Carrey plays Bruce Nolan, a news reporter for a local station in Buffalo, who covers frivolous events like the opening of malls and cooking contests.

This isn't what Bruce wants.

He wants to be taken seriously. He wants the station's news anchor job.

Not only does it go to his obnoxious nemesis, but Bruce gets fired for expressing his anger at being rejected on live TV.

Then his life really begins falling apart.

His girlfriend Grace (Jennifer Aniston) begins losing patience with his whining, pettiness and rampant self-absorption.

Like so many people, Bruce blames God for these woes, so the Almighty (played by Morgan Freeman) gives Bruce the chance to prove he can do better.

Talk about a great comic premise: an omnipotent Jim Carrey.

For about 30 minutes Bruce Almighty showcases Carrey at his inspired best as he walks on water, parts traffic and rearranges the heavens to impress Grace.

Then the movie takes the same turn as Carrey's career -- it tries to get serious.

Eventually, God steps back in and explains to Bruce what critics have been trying to express in the wake of The Majestic: Lighten up, Jim, and enjoy your gift to make people laugh.

He should be proud to be the new Jerry Lewis and not strive to be the next Jimmy Stewart.

As Carrey proved in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber, he can be a comic hurricane.

Carrey should just view Bruce Almighty with an audience. The response to the first hour of the movie is at times deafening; when the script gets maudlin, there's a hushed silence.

Carrey only wins back the audience during the outtakes when he starts being his wonderful spastic, irreverent self.

Freeman is hilarious because he plays God with wit to match his serenity and intelligence and that goes for the actor not just the character.

Bruce Almighty is a disappointment because it fails in its potential to be so much funnier.

It's still a fun summer flick, but it's certainly not God's gift to comedy.

(This film is rated PG)

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