Elf

Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Dechanel
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Box Office: $
2003

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: A human baby is adopted by Santa, and years later, grows up to not quite fit in with the other elves at the North Pole. Buddy (Will Ferrell), as he is called, decides one day to travel to New York City to search out his birth father. However, knowing only life in Santa's workshop, he doesn't quite fit in with his new surroundings, either.

Review:

Tim: I'm not really sure what to think about this movie. It really isn't too funny at all. I'm not sure who would like this movie- I suppose kids will love it (but they also love Spongebob and Baby Geniuses, so...). Humor for adults is sparse and not particularly top notch. To tell you the truth, I'm surprised that people only tell me good things about this movie. I couldn't help but feel disappointed here.

There are a few humorous scenes- the snowball fight is outstanding. It is the best scene in the movie. A few other moments are funny, but most fall flat. I really enjoyed the scene with Zooey Deschanel singing "Baby It's Cold Outside." She has a very nice voice.

Will Ferrell is being touted as the funniest actor in Hollywood. I don't especially agree with that. Sure he has his funny roles (Old School, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy), but he also disappoints (Zoolander, The Ladies Man.) Here he gives a zany performance, but isn't all that funny. James Caan is not great, either. I'm not a big fan of him, and he certainly didn't win me over with his performance here. Deschanel gives perhaps the best performance of the film.

Elf suffers because although it has an original premise, it ultimately falls into far too many Christmas movie cliches. The ending is apparent thirty minutes into the film, and even little kids can figure it out.

Kids will undoubtedly eat this movie up, but it really didn't make me laugh and I was pretty bored throughout. Bah Humbug to me, apparently.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 4.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Zoolander, Old School, The Ladies Man, Prancer, A Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life