Elf (DVD)

...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 ...
...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 ...

Marandina 06.12.2003 (23.12.2003) · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...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 ...

danielleg1989 06.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...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 ...

Crazy-Christian 17.12.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...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) ...

emmaclaire 19.12.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...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 ...

WormThatTurned 29.07.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...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 ...

ally2kc 12.06.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...Buddy is actually a human elf as well means everything in the North Pole, where they are hard at work preparing things for Santa, is too small for Buddy. And one day where Buddy can't do anything right, Buddy's foster father sits him down on his knee, rather uncomfortably, and informs him that his biological father lives in NYC. From clips of the movie you could be forgiven for thinking this is a spectacular comedy where an elf struggles to understand ...
...we could perhaps get an Elf with certificate 15 we might be in for an even better movie. Anyone but Will Ferrell and it probably wouldn't have worked, but I'm surprised it has taken me since 2004 to experience this enjoyable 90 minutes. Just don't let me watch it again for at least 11 months. ...

nathaninnit 23.01.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...grown man playing a childlike elf is mildly disturbing in itself, but thanks to Will Ferrell’s vim and verve and obvious talent for slapstick comedy, Buddy comes across as both charmingly naïve and genuinely funny, rather than creepy. All he wants to do is make people happy and you can’t help but love him for it. He seems genuinely agog at the Christmas spectacle around him and his love for store elf Jovie is rather sweet. Plus his comic timing is ...
...grim determination by elder statesman, James Caan. Thankfully he plays it straight, rather than going down the ham-fisted comedy route of his contemporary, Robert DeNiro and his character’s emotional change is moderate enough to remain believable. Buddy’s love interest, Jovie, is ably played by the implausibly named Zooey Deschanel. She is pretty rather than gorgeous and plays the character just sad and grumpy enough to need an injection of Christmas ...

afy9mab 12.12.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...time I went to see Elf at the cinema. My friend and I went to our local cinema , which is if I'm honest is very basis and nothing like Cineworld or the other 'big' cinemas. The reason I will never forget this trip to the cinema is because , the 'cinema' room we were put in was only a small one with only enough room to seat about twenty people. As the cinema was quite full when we arrived , my friend didn't have a seat and so had to sit on a stool ...
...me off the film. Elf is and American Christmas comedy film released in 2003. The film was directed by Jon Favreau and stars Will Ferrell. Elf was released in the United Kingdom on November 28th 2003. Running time of this movie is ninety seven minutes. Elf is available to buy from Amazon for a small price of £3.98 The movie begins with an introduction into the lives of Elves. We then meet Buddy! Buddy is an elf : he came to the North Pole , by accident ...

xdonzx 18.12.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...this year’s festive entry called Elf and so far it’s been a big hit in the US with over $100 million at the box office and so far it’s not showing any sign of flagging. Now this wouldn’t be a surprise if the movie has a big star like Jim Carrey but Elf doesn’t. Instead it’s the first big leading role for US comedian Will Ferrell fresh of stealing the show in the likes of Old School and Zoolander. After seeing the film it’s no surprise why the film’s ...
...end credits. I can see Elf being one of those movies in years to come tat always appears on the Christmas TV schedules and it will always be one to watch. It’s one of those family movies that has no real toilet humour, no violence and can be enjoyed by everybody. I recommend going to see this movie at this time of year as it’s good for your elf! ...

utero 06.12.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

So last night my friends and I handed over our £6.00 in exchange for our little green ticket to see 'Elf'. With Christmas slowly creeping up on us all, it's about time we got into the festive spirit and hopefully this would do the trick. We got in our seats and had a giggle through the trailers until the movie finally started... The movie is about a baby boy put up for adoption who ends up in Santa's sack, and grows up in the North Pole thinking ...
...belong and makes his journey through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of twirly wirly gum drops, through the Lincoln tunnel, until he ends up at the Empire State building where his Scrooge-like father, Walter, works. He is mistaken for a Christmas-gram and sent straight through to Walter's office. Obviously, when Walter recieves the shocking claim that Buddy is his son, he is promptly removed from the building. Being left ...

LittleKenyon 13.12.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...fact that he left SNL. Elf could not have been a success, had he not played the ever lovable over grown elf. Their is no one who could have pulled off the innocent and sweet man-child character that Ferrel created. As a movie, Elf is an uplifting, funny, feel good movie, that makes you glad that people still care about making sweet movies that don't entirely suck. Jon Favreau (Made and The Big Empty) has directed a fantastic family movie that is ...
...Buddy is the over grown elf played by Will Ferrell. As a baby an orphanage was his home. One day that changed when he stowed away in a sack belonging to Santa Clause. That is how he ended up living in the North Pole. As an adult who was raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs who is solidly played by James Caan. Hobbs, who has placed on Santa's naughty list for being a heartless jerk, and a ...

zenmachado 18.12.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell - Talledega Nights, Anchorman) grows up in the North Pole after crawling into Santa's sack as a baby when Santa delivers presents to his orphanage. When Santa gets back to the North Pole, Buddy is discovered and Santa, being a sucker for babies, allows the elves to keep him. Buddy is raised by Papa Elf and despite being quite obviously not an elf, manages to be blind to this fact until one fateful day, behind on his quota ...
...Elf explains to Buddy that his real mother died, and his father Walter (James Caan - Las Vegas) never knew he existed. Buddy decides to travel to New York and his find his father. All kind of hilarity ensues as a reluctant Caan (after a paternity test) allows him to stay with him, his ridiculously understanding and cheerful wife (Mary Steenburgen) and his son. Zooey Deschanel (Hitchhikers Guide) plays Buddys love interest. The film culminates in ...

miasmum82 25.04.2008 (03.06.2008) · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

Elf is basically another Hollywood seasonal moneyspinner. It has plenty of inoffensive slapstick for the kids along with some subtle innuendos for the parents. Overall though I found it to be another of Hollywoods mass produced feel good films with no real bite. While a easy going and relatively enjoyable watch, this is not one that sticks in the memory as a classic. In fact most of the funniest gags are in the trailers! While I was queueing for ...
...other elves, and so his elf father tells him that he is in fact human and does indeed have a human father. What follows is an easy going romp of how Buddy tries to be accepted by his biological father. Will Farrell plays the part of Buddy with a convincing naivety and does pull a few laughs. The acting overall is good, as expected James Caan plays Buddys 'real' father expertly. Overall this is a fairly tame, extremely predictable variation of a ...

p1073 13.12.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)

...note that I own the Elf and clock dvd set and have written a review in that category - however I felt that the film had been given some unfair reviews and wanted to share my opinion on the film itself (without clock) as I believe the film is lovely and does deserve a chance!*** Elf is a wonderful movie which is really aimed at children and Christmas but to be honest I am an adult and I watch the film all year round. I absolutely love it. Being ...
...the cinema we bought the Elf box set with the clock. The clock is plastic but fun - and really you should not be buying the dvd just for the clock you should be buying it to watch a fantastic film. The dvd has many extras such as a commentary with Will talking about how much he enjoyed making the film, being Sonny Carleone's son and where he got his inspiration from. There are lots of little games to play on the computer and will keep kids entertained ...

sriches 28.11.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Elf (DVD)