Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: Jon Favreau - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Edward Asner, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel more
Will Ferrell makes yet another memorable splash on the big screen in Jon Favreau's sweet and hilarious Christmas fable. Ferrell is Buddy, an innocent figure who was raised as an... more
Elf [DVD] [2003]
Elfis genuinely good. Not justSaturday Night Live-movie good, when the movie has some ... more
funny bits but is basically an insult to humanity;Elfis a smartly written, skillfully directed, and deftly acted story of a human being adopted by Christmas elves who...
Elf [DVD] [2003]
Elfis genuinely good. Not justSaturday Night Live-movie good, when the movie has some ... more
funny bits but is basically an insult to humanity;Elfis a smartly written, skillfully directed, and deftly acted story of a human being adopted by Christmas elves who...
Elf DVD
After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size a man ... more
raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. This charming fantasy is packed full of hysterically funny moments and is des...
funny bits but is basically an insult to humanity;Elfis 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,Elfis 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,Elffeels miraculous. Also featuring Mary Steenburgen, Bob Newhart, Peter Dinklage, and Ed Asner as Santa Claus.--Bret Fetzer
Comedy - Director: Blake Edwards - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Capucine, David Niven, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers
Comedy - Director: John Howard-Davies, Bob Spiers - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Connie Booth, Andrew Sachs, Prunella Scales, John Cleese
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
A review by Marandina on Elf (DVD) December 6th, 2003
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Good
Special Effects
Good
How does it compare to similar films?
Good
Advantages:
Very funny; children will love it
Disadvantages:
PG cert; Lame fx at times
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Someone once said that there are two certainties in life - death and taxes. When they worked this one out, they forgot to factor in the third certainty at Christmas time, the annual Yuletide children's movie. And so it was that I entered the auditorium, flanked by my children intent on sampling this year's latest celluloid offering. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Principle cast: Buddy ~ Will Ferrell James Caan ~ Walter Bob Newhart ~ Papa Elf Edward Asner ~ Santa Mary Steenburgen ~ Emily Zooey Deschanuel ~ Jovie Peter Dinklage ~ Mile Finch
Director: Jon Favreau Writing credits: David Berenbaum Running Time : 95 mins Cert: PG ------------------------------------------------------------------- Elf is this year's big studio offering from the New Line Cinema stable. The story opens with Papa Elf (the legendary Bob Newhart, no less) telling a sage-like tale from his rocking chair. Seasonal angst is par for the course and usually comes served with metaphorical roast turkey and trimmings. In this instance, a baby wanders into Santa's sack whilst the bearded icon is swigging his millionth drop of sherry as well as nibbling yet another mince pie.
On returning to Santa HQ, the unexpected and first return of the year is found in the form of baby Buddy. Faced with this dilemma, Santa allows the baby to stay in the North Pole facing the inevitable if only gainful employment in later years as a toy-making elf.
Buddy grows up with the increasing realisation that he isn't like the other boys, I mean Elfs (Elves? Sorry, Tolkien argument), whilst becoming the victim of a polite but cruel smear campaign by the other elves. On discovering, courtesy of on overheard conversation that he may not be an elf at all, he decides to make his way to New York to discover who his real father is (the fact that he has grown to around 6'5" rather gave the game away).
Elf is the latest in a long line of festive offerings that draws on all the usual ingredients that you would expect in a movie like this. Recent outings such as Santa Clause: The Movie along with the requisite sequel sit amongst the behemoths of a rather specialist genre (Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life) making this an increasingly difficult area to explore without being overly trite. Of course, the timing and the message make this kind of film generally welcome but the challenge is always there to avoid being too schmaltzy and allowing the audience the respect of not being preached to.
For a while I thought Elf had fallen into this trap. The main character as defined by Will Ferrell is initially grating. What with a constant grin and an insensible manner, Ferrell looks inane as the oversized elf in a Danny Kaye green outfit with silly hat. Both the protospeak and addiction to all things sugar make the main man look more like this year's village idiot with obescity inevitable given his current diet.
However, the tide does turn. As the setting changes from the pretence of the far North to a more cynical New York, the gags get funnier and the stunts start to rock. Having got a job working in Santa's grotto in a toy store, Buddy the Elf encounters the store Santa about to do his thing with the kids. Initially excited by the thought of being re-united with his compadre (Santa), Buddy realises that this is an impostor leading to a very funny fight and the oversized fantasy figure (Elf, that is) losing his job. From here on in, the movie takes off. James Caan is so quietly understated as Buddy's father, it is difficult to believe that they are remotely kin but the chemistry does work in a limited way that provides the catalyst for the movie. I'm not sure Caan intended to play his role so low key but ably aided by the lovely Mary Steenburgen (Back to the Future) playing Emily his wife and Daniel Taye as Michael, Buddy's half-brother, the reluctant father (and wouldn't you be faced with a 6 foot elf for a son?) drives the raison d'être of a clear parallel to the almost obligatory Scrooge.
The original screenplay was offered to Jim Carey but the final casting saw Will Ferrell take the lead. This does look as though it could be the 36 year old's big break, such is the level of interest both here and in the States following a very successful run over the last few weeks. Known best for his impressions on the cult TV show Saturday Night Live, Ferrell has played a string of bit parts in movies such as Zoolander and the Austin Powers productions but Elf appears to have broken the mould possibly taking the Californian into fields anew.
For me, the movie's highlight is the scene involving the superstar writer, Miles Finch. Whilst trying to bail out the ailing book publishing company owned by Buddy's father, it becomes apparent that the mysterious millionaire writer is a midget. In a scene where James Caan is hanging on every word with his sycophantic aides egging the mini-scribe on, Ferrell crashes the scene. With his own skewed version of what's real and what isn't, the scene that follows is truly hilarious transcending the children's movie status into something much funnier with a real edge. At times the movie does try to be too clever, what with the amateur footage of Buddy walking around Central Park shown on the newscast spoofing the famous Patterson-Gimlin bigfoot film but the ensuing tomfoolery always seems to pluck the production from a very serious averageness to a bright and breezy show that keeps the viewer entertained.
Jon Favreau is best known for his recent works, Daredevil and Deep Impact. Hailing from the Queen's area in New York, he does combine a mix of effects, stunts and unsubtle but very funny comedy into what never gets much more than the usual good will to all men message that rings out through this movie medium. Some of the stop motion effects towards the beginning of the film looked a bit shabby but then I don't suppose the kids would have noticed too much while Favreau seems to gain momentum the longer the story goes eventually taking the audience on a charming journey potted with both visual and auditory gags that do get laughs.
Adding a great deal to the production is the musical score including a string of Christmas hits that make the film go with a bang including a finale founded on a big production of Santa Clause is Coming to Town. I guess the closing frames are a little predictable but then this venture was never designed to test the audience's intellect. It's aimed squarely at a feel good factor fuelled by Santa's Christmas spirit albeit with an oblique level of invention. My 11 year old daughter's shoulders moved discreetly up and down with each belly laugh (she's quite reserved) whilst my 8 year old son guffawed into his popcorn; both loved it so I left the auditorium with a smile on my face and a hand in my pocket as we veered off into a restaurant for dinner (after all, England had won the Rugby World Cup earlier that day!). All in all, definitely recommended as a great family movie noting the PG certificate.
Advantages: Amazing christmas film, very funny, a joy to watch Disadvantages: None
...bright yellow stockings and funny elf hat. He looks like he should have outgrown them along time ago. He seems to be very lost most of the time and this expression is the one you see very often on his face. He is also very sensitive which makes him very funny to watch in certain parts especially when he finds out his dads on the naughty list. When he gets excited about something he gets over excited and hyper and when he gets upset he gets extremely ... ...i think of them and Elf is now also on that list in my opinion it is definitely a Christmas classic.
If you have not seen this i really do recommend that you do, the actors and actresses in this film are excellent and the clothes used on Buddy the elf, the elves and Santa are very colorful and the elves except for Buddy actually do look like elves. Well buddy does look like a elf just a abnormally large one LOL. James Caan who plays the role of ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Seasonal fun (kind of...) Disadvantages: Too mediocre to be a classic
...the weird guy in the elf suit and we all know it. Yes, this is a fantasy, and I'm happy to suspend my disbelief as much as the next man, and the beautiful girl being charmed by the eccentric guy is a staple of the rom-com but there just isn't enough shown to convince us she'd really fall for this elf…er, guy. James Caan is suitably irascible as Buddy's Dad, Walter Hobbs, but as he gets to know his own son (another by-the-numbers plot development) ... ...to justify it. Mary Steenburgen is promising as Buddy's would-be stepmom but gets virtually nothing to do. And Ed Asner as a surly Santa just gives off the wrong vibes.
The film is overly-sentimental, especially nearing the rushed climax, Some of the ideas are fine, such as Jovie having to overcome her fear of performing in public to lead a rousing impromptu session of carol-singing (don't ask) but the execution is just a little bit off. The humour ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: funny in places, some interesting scenery Disadvantages: too childish in other places, some of the actors just looked bored
...an elf…
** ELF **
CAST: Will Ferrell (Zoolander, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery), James Caan (The Godfather, Mickey Blue Eyes), Zooey Deschanel (Almost Famous, The Good Girl)
DIRECTOR: Jon Favreau (Swingers, Daredevil, Something’s Gotta Give (as an actor))
CERTIFICATE: PG
RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes
www.elfmovie.com
** THE PLOT **
One Christmas a human baby is found in Santa’s sack after he’s made ... ...that he’s not really an elf and sets off to New York to find his real dad.
His father is a money-grabbing executive who spends more time at work than with his family, so the last thing he wants is another son to not spend any time with. Can Buddy bring some Christmas spirit into the lives of the new people he meets and will his father accept him as a son? All I’ll say is, it’s Christmas…
** THE CHARACTERS **
Buddy the Elf/Human (Will Ferrell) ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Buddy the craziest yet most likable Elf Disadvantages: predictable, dont take seriously
...kind hearted Santa put Papa Elf in charge of Buddy's tutorage and he was raised as an Elf, unprepared it would seem for the consequences time would reveal.
Buddy isn't an Elf and he can't fit into Elvish life and it's routines, his clumsy human fingers aren't ideal for toymaking and his six foot two frame has outgrown his surroundings much like Gulliver did on his travels. Buddy's heart is in the right place but unfortunately his body isn't and ... ...Bob Newhart as Papa Elf gives a hilarious cameo with some super lines and Mary Steenburgen as Emily (Buddy's stepmother) gives a polished if somewhat unmemorable performance. I would like to have seen more of the pretty Zooey Deschanel ('All The Real Girls') who plays an Elf employed by Gimbel's Christmas Store who Buddy takes a shine to. She's funny and obviously talented but didn't get many lines, she wasn't the only one though because Buddy is ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: suitable for whole family, lots of laughs Disadvantages: burping and farting humour not for everyone.
...in several film projects since Elf (In which he also appears as the doctor) including the hugely popular kids film, Zathura: A Space Adventure and the much anticipated upcoming Iron Man. >>>Acting <<<
Lets be honest, this film isn’t about great acting ability, it’s about making kids laugh by being as ridiculous as possible with extended burps and farts thrown in for good measure. If we judge the acting by those standards, Will Ferrell is heads and ... ...ideal to play the giant elf who kids will relate too. He is a big ball of daft slapstick which although tiresome for grown-ups after a while, is exactly what you need in a holiday comedy.
James Caan plays his usual grumpy hard-assed bully and he plays it brilliantly as usual. He only became slightly unbelievable in the role towards the end of the film. Bob Newhart as Papa Elf was perhaps the best bit of casting I have seen in years. I am not sure ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: The Spirit Of Christmas Disadvantages: Slightly dated
...This film brings back so many happy memories of a childhood christmas. It is slightly dated, but still sucks you in and you almost end up believing in the big man in red! Even Dudley Moore is quite likeable!
This may only be watched once a year, but well worth the money, for the happiness it'll bring to adults and children alike.
Santa is played by David Huddleston, he is the best looking Santa I ever saw, with support from Dudley Moore as an elf, and the wonderful John Lithgow as a baddy.
On the DVD there is a making of documentary which is about 50 minutes long and great,
For best results, snuggle under duvet on the sofa on Christmas Eve, with a big mug of hot chocolate and pretend you're 5 all over again, if you have children, watch their faces light up. A great film for all the family...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
...keep watching.
In terms of Christmas, this film is quite good, with a lovely Christmas soundtrack, lots of popular Christmas songs that we all know and love, and lots of shots of a Christmassy Chicago, trees and snowy hillsides, so in that respect it is a nice Christmas film. But the plotline is the downfall. It is a bit silly, not that funny and just a big disappointment. I feel that they could have done a lot more with this film to make it much more funny, Affleck could have toned down his enthusiasm a little bit and just generally added a little more humour to the mix. I wouldn't recommend watching this film to be honest, unless you like incredibly silly comedy, and have absolutely nothing else to watch. I would rather watch Home Alone or Elf anyday over this.
If you really want, you can buy the DVD on play.com for £7.99 but I...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: You will live longer Disadvantages: It has to end
...Mines or Moria and the Argonath, pure scale) and up on release of the 2 DVD pack my lips began to water, but a little bird (or elf) told me that a 4 DVD pack was coming and I made the decision, the very hard decision to wait for it. I felt, and still do to a point, that this was an unnecessary ?cash-in? strategy by the distributors. This of course does not distract from the quality and depth of this collection or the film at all, just a ?personal issue?.
The film itself fits onto the first 2 DVD?s with an extra 30 minutes added and a rerecorded sound track. I loved this, the extra 30 minutes added more depth to the film, a difficult task I would have thought, and characters really do benefit. It also contains what for me is one of its most valuable features, multiple commentaries, 4 in all, from the director and writers, the cast...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Plot: Buddy is a normal-sized man who has been brought up as an elf by Santa Claus. When he discovers this he decides to head back to New York to find his biological parents.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date: 07/11/2005
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: EDV 9247
Barcode: 5017239192470
Languages
Main Language: English
DVD Description
Will Ferrell makes yet another memorable splash on the big screen in Jon Favreau's sweet and hilarious Christmas fable. Ferrell is Buddy, an innocent figure who was raised as an elf in the North Pole by his adoptive father, Papa Elf (Bob Newhart). When Buddy discovers that he's actually a human being, he heads to New York City to reunite with his biological father. The trouble is that his dad, Walter (James Caan), is a publishing executive who doesn't have time for anything other than work. Buddy moves in with Walter and his family, and proceeds to teach them a lesson or two about what being a family really means. Meanwhile, he also falls head over heels in love with the incredibly cute department store clerk, Jovie (Zooey Deschanel). By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, the general lack of spirit in the air threatens to ground Santa for the big night. He must rely on Buddy's expertise and overall enthusiasm to ensure that Christmas will be saved once again. Favreau's film is family entertainment at its finest, featuring a performance by Ferrell that is at once innocent, tender, and laugh-out-loud funny. A stellar supporting cast--including Caan, Deschanel, Newhart, and Faizon Love--adds to the film's already overabundant charm.
Technical information
Special Features: Feature With Commentaries From Jon Favreau And Will Ferrell, About Christmas, Theatrical Trailer, Elf Jukebox, Deleted Alternate Scenes, Behind The Scenes, Fun N Games
Sound: DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0
Dubbing Sound: DTS 5.1 English Dolby Digital 5.1 English Dolby Digital 2.0 English
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