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Elf
 
(United States, 2003) With Will Ferrell, James Caan and Edward Asner. Directed by Jon Favreau (Made). Category : Comedy. Length : 1:35. Classification : General
 
Movie description :
This movie is about a man named Buddy (Ferrell) who was inadvertently brought to the North Pole as a baby where, naturally, he was raised by Santa's elves until he was old enough to go find his real father (Caan), who happens to be living in the most clichéd Christmas town in the world, New York City. The regular fish-out-of-water, "how does an escalator work?" high jinks ensues. Where the whole thing falls down, however, is Ferrell's character, which while zany is just plain nice. And without his trademark naughty edge, Ferrell is as uncommonly uncomfortable on screen as his form-fitting yellow tights look.
 
 

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Rating of our members : (22 members)

FARELL IS HILLARIOUS AS USUAL AND VERY CONVINCING AS AN ELF!  
 
Will Farrell was born John William Ferrell, on the 16th of July, 1967, in Irvine, California, just inland from Newport Beach and a few miles south of Los Angeles. Thanks to his incredible talent and the ability of 'Saturday Night Live' to churn out film stars, Ferrell went on to become one of Tinseltown's most profilic and best known stars, real quickly!.

Actor/writer/director Jon Favreau(Swingers, Made), and producers Jon Berg, Shauna Robertson, Shauna Weinberg and Todd Komarnicki take on this truly hillarious Christmas comedy written by David Berenbaum, and starring the man himself, Will Farrell as Buddy, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner, Zooey Deschanel and Bob Newhart.

Buddy is a regular-sized man who was raised as an elf by Santa Claus(played by Ed Asner). When the news is finally broken to Buddy that he's not a real elf, he decides to head back to his place of birth, New York City, in search of his biological father(played by James Caan). While working in a department store, buddy befriends and falls in love with a very pretty girl(played by Zooey Dwschanel), who works there as well, and who has a very beautiful singing voice. When Buddy feels that he's not fitting very well in his family, he decides to meet up with Santa in Central Park, in order to go back to the place where he was raised up, and where he fits in best... but first he has to help Santa repair the slay's defective engin, and to help generate enough Christmas spirit which is another way to make the slay airborne!
Henry Wahbe
December 7, 2008

Elf Has To Come Down To Size..........  
 
Elf is enlightened comedy for the under 12 year old crowd. Or so it seems. Will Ferrell has had better film offerings than this one and I have to admit that the hype before I saw this movie had me believing that I was in store for way better.

The film follows Buddy's story from the day he ends up crossing paths in the nursery (taking a shortcut to the North Pole) and deciding one day that he really wants to find his real dad (no matter how far he had to travel).

There are some funny scenes in this film and young kids will get a kick out of the obvious size difference (trick camera angles) that make Buddy seem enormous compared to his fellow elves. When he sits on Bob Newhart's lap, he looks like Anna Nicole Smith sitting on Mini-Me (although Mini-Me may have actually enjoyed that visual even though he may have lost consciousness if Anna had decided to try out for the Elf role).

The film is very limited in cinematic foreplay and the settings and scenery appear to have been done on a very small sound stage. The shots in the shopping centre are a little better and the romance that blooms between Buddy and an earth girl is kind of corny.

All in all, I am disappointed but my kids appear to have given it several thumbs up. Kids win 3-1 and the DVD has taken a place beside Miracle on 42nd Street.

Merry Xmas and Elf-itazen.
Steve Landry
 {41 votes}
 April 25, 2005

Not that funny, slightly unsettling, but good Christmas fare.  
 
The power of Will Ferrell is in his ability to play any character and say any line with conviction. He really looks like he believes he's an elf, and the only thing stopping this movie from being a colossal failure is that Ferrel sticks to his guns with the innocent routine unwaiveringly through to the end. And there is no subtext of irony either - an element that also allows some Adam Sandler movies come off well.

That having been said, this movie is not that funny. There are some funny bits, but there are many times in the course of the movie where Ferrell comes across more as mentally retarded than naive. As with all such movies, when he asks Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) out on a date, she agrees. There was, however, something off about the whole scene that followed; it looked more like she thought she was going to spend time with a retarded person than going out on a date. But both Ferrell and the movie itself believed it to be a date, and the story went on assuming that they had dated. Jovie seemed convinced too, but I was not. There was definately something unsettling here.

The strong point of the movie, though, is in its Christmas spirit and good cheer. Ferrell's unflinching good attitude was actually effective in demonstrating the spirit of brotherhood and good will, and the family character-story, however trite, was made workable by Ferrell's benign presence.

This is overall a good movie, but not great. I would recommend it, although if you do not appreciate sentimentality or are generally irritated by cheerfulness, stay away - you will not like it.
Peter Giser
 {21 votes}
 December 21, 2004

Forget the holes in the plot....  
 
If you're one of those annoying people who can't suspend their disbelief for a kid's movie about Christmas then take a hike.

I'll address them now so we can move on with the movie.

If Santa found an orphaned baby in his sleigh and he knew who the father was then why wouldn't he bring the kid back to the orphanage or to the unwitting dad?

How can a man grow to be healthy and 6'3" if he only eats candy?

Why wouldn't Santa give him a lift to New York instead of making him walk through the wilderness on foot?

If you ask me Santa is an asshole.

Ok, so forget all that.

The movie is bound to be a Christmas classic because it has all of the elements that most holiday movies have been lacking for the last few years. Sentimentality.

Ya, ya, it borrows (ok STEALS) from the Steve Martin classic "The Jerk" but it puts a Christmas spin on the idiot orphan story.

The movie's credits tell us that it's a John Favreau film but since he didn't star in the movie, produce the movie or write the movie I want to know who he blew to get that kind of billing.

Directing does NOT allow you to call it "your film" unless you're either George Lucas, Steven Speilberg or M. Night Shamalayn (and out of that list 2 of those bozos should have their privileges revoked if you ask me).

The humour is not particularly clever or original but it works on a feel good kind of way. There isn't any bad language, no one is getting porked in the ass by Billy Bob Thornton and it has Santa.

If you have children and want to rent the perfect holdiay film that the whole family can enjoy I think you'd be hard pressed to find something better (unless the classic 60's cartoons are on).

As a non-Christmas "I want to watch something with my significant other" movie it's not too bad either.

It's harmless fun.
James Harrison
 {16 votes}
 December 12, 2004

I was Forced to See This...  
 
When, you get on a plane for about 8 hours were they say you'll be watching "The Da Vinci Code" you will get your hopes up. Then those hopes turns into crap because of this movie! You are stuck in a plane for so many hours and you only get to watch this movie... well, the only thing i am thankful for this movie is it did the impossible: I was able to sleep in a plane! But it's not like i slept the whole movie, i watched the first half hour and the last ten minutes. I am just happy i only watched 40 minutes total. This movie is awful! but it's not like i had a choice. A friend already warned me this movie was bad...She was right. I am surprised it didn't destroyed Will Ferrell career. Maybe this movie is good for kids...but not everybody is a kid. There are many Christmas movies, so why bother watching this one? Watch a classic, not this one
Catherine Recart
 {1 vote}
 February 27, 2007

Elf!  
 
Christmas is coming up, and I have a confession to make. Not only do I love Jon Favreau's Elf as a Christmas movie, it may also be one of my favourite movies of all time. You have no idea how hard that is to say, coming from a supposed cinephile. I love movies, I love film, I love cinema, and I usually can't stand the crap that gets the biggest box office numbers... But I'd be lying if I told you that over the last year I didn't watch any one movie more than I've watched Elf. It's true. I guess you could call it my 'Feel good' movie. Somehow, it just became the movie where I would stand up and say to a group of friends: "Hey! Let's watch Elf!", and everyone would cheer.

From Zooey Deschanel's heartwarming smile, to the duet between her and Will Ferrell, this is a flat out great movie. Elf just surprises me everytime I watch it; it surprises me so much that I actually used the term 'heartwarming' in this review, which I have never, and will never, use again. So cheers, to the best Christmas movie of all time! Elf!
Raymond Lemoine
November 2, 2006

A Christmas movie like many other ones.  
 
This movie is a very average Christmas movie. At least, it is silly enough to make sure that you will get a few good laughs!

Will Ferrel is doing a good job.... I am not a big fan of the style... but if you have enjoyed other movies with this actor, I would say that you should enjoy this one as well. I think that children would particularly enjoy this movie: it is sure quite hilarious for them to see a big tall guy who does not understand that he is not really an elf!

Do not count on this movie however to get back into the Christmas spirit if you have lost it... it is not nearly good enough for that. But it is a good entertainment for a December night.
Caroline Vigneault
August 18, 2006

A great movie for the holidays!  
 
First of all, I have to confess that I am not a big fan of Will Ferrell. I know he's getting bigger and bigger in Hollywood these days, but I think I was one of the few people who really didn't like Anchorman. Whenever I tell someone that I didn't think that Anchorman was funny they always give me a funny look since apparently it's hilarious. I unfortunately just didn't get it. Elf, on the other hand, was delightfully funny and made me see Will Ferrell in a completely new light. Elf is a sweet and charming holiday movie about a fish out of water. Ferrell plays a human sized Elf who returns to NYC once learning that he had mistakenly been taken by Santa in his bag. Buddy the Elf searches for his father hoping to forge a relationship as well as to try to get him off of the "naughty list". Elf is really funny at times and charming and kind of touching at others. One classic scene that always makes me laugh involves a meeting with a vertically challenged person who Buddy mistakenly thinks is an elf. It's priceless and hilarious. Both young and old will enjoy this movie. It will bring some childhood playfulness for the older audience. I certainly hope that Will Ferrell will continue to choose roles such as this one.
Reena Tabing
 {2 votes}
 July 5, 2006

Not a Ferrell fan but Elf is really good  
 
I am definitely not a Will Ferrell fan. I thought he was ok in "Sathurday Night Live" but I found his films a little too vulgar.

I expected the same thing of this movie but I was very surprised. Will Ferrell was perfect for thos role, plays it perfectly and the jokes are really funny.

I planed to buy this movie for this holiday season, this is to show you how much I was impressed by the movie itself but also by Ferrell's performance.
Isabelle Gélinas
 {1 vote}
 November 14, 2005

Great  
 
First thing, I have to say that I don't really appreciate Will Ferrell. I find that he makes in absurd humour and it isn't really my kind of humour.

However, I saw sequences of this film and I found that the sequences were really funny. I saw the film and I really appreciated it. The film was really funny and I could say that I have laughs to the tears... but, only first half of film.

It was great for the children to watch this movie because it shows that the spirit of Christmas still exists. You have to watch this film with your children for sure!!
Murielle Boucher
October 26, 2005

Christmas spirit  
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Slight nudity (or implication) during a shower scene, but it was innocent and not objectionable. A couple of slightly objectionable words used. Overall, a great family Christmas movie that really inspires the Christmas spirit. I laughed a lot, and was at the point of tears at the happy ending. Just a real feel-good movie with good morals and storyline.
Blader Jack
 {2 votes}
 October 11, 2005

Not hilarious but enjoyable  
 
Elf, the latest of Christmas comedy movies to be added to the never-ending list starrs SNL's own Will Ferrell (A Night At The Roxbury). From the very sight of the main character, you already know what direction this one is gonna take.

It's not overly funny, as we have been used to this childish Saturday Night Live-type humour in the past. But sometimes Ferrell manages to be so goddamn ridiculous that we can hardly manage to retain a good laugh. Touché. After all, the perspective of 6-foot thirty-something year-old elf looking for his real dad in the city, and getting bitten off by a raccoon for his efforts, is pretty ridiculous. And Sometimes funny.

The rest of the movie is standard good feeling, christmas spirit cinema. Nothing new under the sun ( or should I say the snow). Nice and all, but nobody will remeber this movie in a couple of years, as others will have taken the place.
Sebastien Behnan
March 18, 2005

Buddy The Elf  
 
I find that Elf is a real cute film to watch and it lifts your Christmas spirits and the story is very emotional. The story is set around Buddy who was raised by Elves and one day finds out that he is human and heads off to New York City to meet his father who is played by James Caan. In New York City Buddy gets himself into so many interesting situations and I really like the situation where he heads into his dad's office and a little person is giving his presentation ideas for a new book and Buddy calls the Dwarf a Elf and then the Dwarf beats him up. There are also the scenes where Buddy finds love with a beautiful young female.

Carmela Sicurella
 {2 votes}
 January 2, 2005

An added movie to the xmas collection  
 
Elf, makes you believe in christmas, makes you believe in Santa, the north pole, elves making our gifts... makes you believe in love!

These days, kids just don't appreciate Christmas like we used to when we were kids (25 years ago) I think this bring out a bit of meaning. Kids these days I find are not as excited as we were when we were kids about this holiday... because they get what they want whenever they want. Where is that bright face with big eyes of a child staring up at santa when he sees him... or writting up a letter to him... and waiting for his response.

Now, I know elf is not about that but it makes us belive that Santa really does exist.

I am sure this movie will become one of those we just can't miss out on watching every christmas... with the Grinch, Frosty and Ruddolf.!

Great movie to ad to your collection!
Chantal Narciso
 {5 votes}
 January 1, 2005

I believe.  
 
This movie was simply fantastic. Will Ferrell is an elf. He just is, there's no other way to describe it.

No other actor could have effectively pulled this one off. When you see Ferrell do all the silly stuff he does in this movie, you believe that he is truly the character he is playing.

This is a quality that is all too missing in so many movies these days.

An instant holiday classic in my books, it will make all ages laugh outloud.
R M
 {1 vote}
 December 20, 2004

Not Bad  
 
just saw this movie this evening and I cannot think of a worse "Christmas" movie. From the opening with references to Trolls farting and drunk Gnomes, I knew it was going to be pathetic. I have seen Will Ferrell in several movies now and someone needs to tell me what it is that is supposed to be funny about this guy. He is so over the top portraying an "innocent" human raised by elves that he comes off as retarded.

James Caan must have been desperate to do this movie and Ed Asner, as Santa and even the fantastic Bob Newhart look ridiculous because of the terrible script and dialogue. If you think this is great movie making, you are in need of a lobotomy - or seeing a classic like "Miracle on 34th Street" or even one of Tim Allen's Santa Clause movies. I actually felt sad that as I watched this I knew that it had made a lot of money last year when it was released. Sad that Hollywood is laughing at the people who will pay to see this and think it is just fantastic. . . .was it you?
Maria Luz San Diego
 {2 votes}
 December 19, 2004

Elf: better than Twelve  
 
Since I saw this movie last year around Christmas I 've been waiting for its release on DVD. It's just sooooooooooo cute. I guess there is just no other word to describe it. Whether you are a child or not, "Elf" is just so adorable and funny. Take for instance the scene where Elf walks around in New York and eats chewing gum that he peels off the street. That doesn't sound that funny but Farell plays Elf with so much innocence that his character becomes adorable and funny at the same time.

Sonja Mueller
December 13, 2004

I've been elfed...  
 
Elf starring James Caan (Godfather, Rollerball) and Will Ferrell (Old School, SNL) is the story of an elf who goes to New York City to try to find out what family life is all about. This is Will Ferrell's first try at a family movie and I was turned off by it. I appreciated his other works more than this one especially Old School. I like Jon Favreau usually but in this case the movie is just wrong for him. Many critics believed this movie as a classic for the holidays I just didn't appreciate much. I felt like I've seen this movie hundreds of time before. Nothing new, nothing refreshing. It's too bad because of the basis of the movie is not that bad but I rather go watch Bad Santa again than have to endure this movie for another 90 or so minutes. Save your money and sanity and skip this title, unless if Adam Sandler is your type of thing than this movie might be right up your alley.
Anthony Narciso
 {6 votes}
 April 29, 2004

Stupid Movie...and I am being kind  
 
I am not a fan of Will Ferrell to begin with and this movie didn't improve my impression any. It did have a few good laughs, but the development of the characters was poorly done. The story line could have been good, it had potential, but by the end of the movie I didn't care whether he was happy or not.

It may be a good movie for kids (which is who it is for), but as an adult I give it a thumbs down.
Kelly Shepard
 {5 votes}
 March 2, 2004

Not Bad  
 
If you remember that this is both primarily a kids movie and a Christmas movie while seeing it, this movie comes off as a not bad attempt. I am not usually a big fan of Christmas movies, although there are a few good ones out there, as they tend to be very cheesy. While this is definitely fromage, I can't say that I didn't enjoy it. Farrell plays the naive elf Buddy very well. Yes, he does look a bit uncomfortable in his tights, but this added to the humor. A cute movie, if nothing more.

Heather Jackson
 {14 votes}
 February 21, 2004

A decent comedy  
 
Okay, I realize that this is just a comedy, but it is VERY uncomfortable to sit and watch a grown man continually act infantile over the course of ninety minutes. I ended up feeling as uncomfortable as the characters in the movie seeing him play with toys. I though that the elf would go into a diabetic coma with all that sugar he was eating. This movie was redeemed by Zooey D. and Ed Asner's great Santa performance, but that's it. Farrell, I wanted to smack, and I liked him on SNL. Consider yourselves warned.

AA BB
 {4 votes}
 January 28, 2004

"Santa's Coming!!!"  
 
Loves it... Love the movie, really love Will Ferrell!

This is not a masterpiece but, it's a really fun movie to watch and enjoy with your family on the holidays. Like other Christmas movies it really gets me in the holiday season, even if I'm not 10 years old anymore!

I give it "Two Festive Thumbs Up"!
Marissa Martin
October 29, 2006

I want to be an elf too....  
 
This is another Will Ferrell gem! In a nutshell, this is a film about a boy who is raised by elves all his life and then seeks out his long lost father. As the Elf (Buddy) is played by Will Ferrell, I guess I don't need to explain that it is very funny. My favorite scene is a snowball fight that his character gets into with the local kids. James Caan plays his father well. In the end this is not only a comedy but has a touching message as well which is perfect for the Christmas holidays. See this film! Especially if it's Christmas time.
Dawn Manhertz
May 17, 2006

Not Bad  
 
I saw this movie around the holidays and it was a funny movie, good for the kids, I really enjoy Will Ferrell in all of his movies and on SNL. I would strongly recommend this movie for all the family around the holidays.
Louise Lacroix
 {1 vote}
 May 18, 2005

Better then you think....  
 
This is a great family film that has plenty of laughs in all its corners, and sure, it gets really sentimental towards the end, but it's a Christmas movie, and that's what

Christmas should be like.

I even think that we, ourselves, have forgotten the meaning of Christmas. Though, I don't think an elf will change our habits, I do think that Will Ferrell has... just a little bit.
Steven Doucet
 {2 votes}
 December 4, 2004

Cute  
 
Hey this is a keeper , a movie you buy when it comes out in CD and sit and watch every Christmas with the familly. It is funny and cute and sensitive to the emotions. I movie you can't get tired of watching and one that both the kids and grandparents will both love. If you didn't see it in the big screen you will just have to buy the CD and you will not regret it.
Maria Cecillia Silva
 {7 votes}
 March 5, 2004

A movie to take your child  
 
I thought this to be a pretty good fairy tale - one I would have definitely taken my children to see had they still be younger . I can feel the film's magic of the season brought to the big screen. Brings a bit of cheer!
Nelly Hum
 {5 votes}
 February 28, 2004


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