Elf has some interesting things going for it, but blows at least some of them for gags involving Will Farrell man-child comedy. The North Pole's retro Rankin-Bass look and animal sidekicks, for example, fall flat and serve no purpose. If the film paid tribute more overtly to other holiday classics, there might be something to it. As it is, it's in the same vein as The Santa Clause (though in reverse), a sometimes sweet, fish out of water story with a cute lead character who ends up saving Christmas with spirit and sincerity. Now if only Buddy the (adopted human) Elf didn't have to be so dumb as well. Being raised as an elf has apparently stunted his development to the point where he acts like a silly 6-year-old basically, and a little of that goes a long way. I'll call it inoffensive and leave it at that.
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Siskoid
Elf has some interesting things going for it, but blows at least some of them for gags involving Will Farrell man-child comedy. The North Pole's retro Rankin-Bass look and animal sidekicks, for example, fall flat and serve no purpose. If the film paid tribute more overtly to other holiday classics, there might be something to it. As it is, it's in the same vein as The Santa Clause (though in reverse), a sometimes sweet, fish out of water story with a cute lead character who ends up saving Christmas with spirit and sincerity. Now if only Buddy the (adopted human) Elf didn't have to be so dumb as well. Being raised as an elf has apparently stunted his development to the point where he acts like a silly 6-year-old basically, and a little of that goes a long way. I'll call it inoffensive and leave it at that.menenia
Had no expectations to this one, was pleasently surprised. A good, warm and cheerful Christmas movie with a really great performance by Will Ferrel!benjiman
Uh oh. It looks like 470 people need to sing a Christmas Carol!mook
Quirky Christmas comedy with Will Ferrell and parallels to 'Miracle on 34th Street'. Seen it a few times, still good fun. 8/10.Follow me on Twitter @LastFilmSeen
Earring72
So funny! Watched it again tonight. Yearly ritual :-)And it stays funny, also in 2015
And in 2022 with the kids :-)
lolita_mistrix
My favorite xmas movie ever!Joker of Gotham
Very funny movie.Will Ferrel did a awesome job
4/5
NarcolepticPig
Watched it like four times this Christmas season. Wonderful.troggie7mtdew
Really funny movie.Dr Pandhattan
Here's a short piece I wrote about "Elf:" http://www.kameronmcbride.com/2012/12/concerning-elf.html