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I don't do Christmas. I've mentioned that before, but then again some people may not have taken me too seriously (I find the concept to be self-centered and manufactured). That said, some may balk at me gushing over a Christmas movie, but I like what I like and this movie deserves my attention. Talk about a movie that defies expectations. Looking at the trailer for this film or glancing at the DVD cover and you'd think it's going to be `stupid funny' so when the film winds up displaying genuine sincerity with every laugh you find yourself scratching your hear in disbelief.
This film has serious heart.
The film tells the story of Buddy, a human who was adopted by Christmas elves when he was a baby and raised to believe that he too was an elf. He made for a rather clumsy elf, being that he is kind of gigantic, and so he was eventually told the truth about his origin and sent off to the real world to find his human parents. He does find his father, but that doesn't go over very well (especially since Buddy is so genuine in his overall naivety that he comes across like a complete nut-job).
Sure, there is that whole `Christmas spirit' mumbo-jumbo that is so beautiful in context yet so inaccurate in application, but it works marvelously in this family centric film that nails nearly every mark it attempts to hit.
This film just has `it'.
In fact, this film has heaps of `it' in the form of Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen and Zooey Deschanel. I mean, really...what a marvelous cast. Ferrell is just effortless and so wonderfully delightful as Buddy. He captures the tone of this character with ease and delivers a performance we will remember and adore. James Caan handles a stereotype with gusto, and Bob Newhart is just so huggable as Papa Elf. I've always had a soft spot for Steenburgen, even when she hasn't deserved it, and Zooey Deschanel should be in EVERY movie.
If you want a smart, witty, charming family film that will defy odds and really deliver than this is the one for you, whether you engage in the traditions that come from this over-hyped holiday or not.
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"Elf [Blu-ray]" Overview
Studio: New Line Home Video Release Date: 10/28/2008 Run time: 97 minutes Rating: Pg13
"Elf [Blu-ray]" Specifications
Elf is genuinely good. Not just Saturday Night Live-movie good, when the movie has some funny bits but is basically an insult to humanity; Elf is a smartly written, skillfully directed, and deftly acted story of a human being adopted by Christmas elves who returns to the human world to find his father. And because the writing, directing, and acting are all genuinely good, Elf is also genuinely funny. Will Ferrell, as Buddy the adopted elf, is hysterically sincere. James Caan, as his rediscovered father, executes his surly dumbfoundedness with perfect aplomb. Zooey Deschanel, as a department store worker with whom Buddy falls in love, is adorably sardonic. Director Jon Favreau (Swingers) shepherds the movie through all the obligatory Christmas cliches and focuses on material that's sometimes subtle and consistently surprising. Frankly, Elf feels miraculous. Also featuring Mary Steenburgen, Bob Newhart, Peter Dinklage, and Ed Asner as Santa Claus. --Bret Fetzer
Stills from Elf (click for larger image)
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Customer Reviews
Best Christmas movie in a looong time - TeamSweden - Seattle, WA
Elf is an excellent movie for people of all ages. It has some great throwbacks and references to the Christmas classics we all grew up loving... Rudolf, Frosty, etc. The one star reviews suggest the movie is stupid, I say it's playful. Although this is not the Ferrell you may know from Zoolander, Old School, etc., he totally delivers and lets his fun and sweet side shine. Elf has everything that one wants in a Christmas classic - heartwarming story, lovable characters, little bit of singing to bring on the spirit, snow, and (duh!) SANTA! Not since The Santa Clause (1994) has Hollywood delivered such an automatic holiday classic. The best thing about this movie is that it's funny enough to watch with your lover and/or friends (and a few drinks) or cuddled up on a winter night with your kids. Also, for film buffies out there, the art direction is wonderful and presents very clear themes (plus keep your eye out for a Peter Billingsly uncredited cameo!). All over this movie is just worth it!
Christmas Fun - Michele Greene - Jacksonville,FL
I laugh from beginning to end. Will Ferrell did a great job in this movie. I loved it. Christmas Cheer.
A holiday holiday - Brent Butler - North Carolina
"Elf" was yet another Will Ferrel film that I thought from previews was just going to be silly and stupid.
I've learned by now to get over my prejudices going into "Silly and Stupid" Will Ferrel films. They almost all are that. But somehow they are also funny, and tell stories with more depth than I would ever have imagined. By the way, the same phenomena happens with me regarding Adam Sandler movies. I always think they sound horrible, and I always have far more than my average share of laughs for a comedy.
In Elf, its unimaginable that an actor of Ferrel's age can bring off the complete naivety required for a human raised at the North Pole who enters American society as an adult. Yet he brings it off the same way be brings off all of his unlikely sounding roles.
Of course, in the process the people he interacts with learn that a little naivety and purity of heart can be a good thing. Yes, there is both slapstick and (mild) gross out comedy, but overall this is a quite entertaining movie, and a suitable Christmas comedy for kids and parents to watch together.
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