Elf (Infinifilm Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Will Farrell shines as Buddy
Review: "Elf," the new Christmas family film, stars Will Farrell as Buddy, a would-be North Pole elf. It seems Buddy was an orphan who sneaked into Santa's bag, was taken to his workshop, and adopted by elf Bob Newhart. When he grows up, Buddy goes to New York City to meet his biological father (played by James Cann), and the predictable problems of an innocent elf in the big city begin.

Parts of this movie are very likeable: Will Farrell is charming as Buddy, and carries the movie. He plays the part with childlike innocence and enthusiasm, and I thought his performance was sweet and touching. Bob Newhart is equally loveable as Papa Elf. Newhart plays his usual deadpan character and is very funny.

Now come some very odd casting and writing choices: Ed Asner as a grumpy, and definitely not jolly, Santa Claus is a liability to the film. I don't think children will be happy with his portrayal; he is cold and off-putting. The real liability is James Cann as Buddy's biological father, a serious, semi-unscrupulous Manhattan children's book publisher. All of his scenes are painfully unfunny and, for me, boring. He seemed uncomfortable in a children's fantasy film; he is too heavy-handed to play light comedy. The middle section of the movie, which focuses on Cann's business problems, seemed hopelessly tiresome to me.

The combination of magical make-believe and the cynicism of the real adult world don't mix well in this movie. Will Farrells' scenes are joyful, but much of the rest is dull. Fans of Farrell will enjoy "Elf," but I don't think there is enough warmth and goodwill for younger children to be enchanted with it.

Rating:
Summary: Will Ferrell shines in a new holiday classic.
Review: A great cast makes what could be at best an average holiday film into a modern classic. Ed Asner (Santa,) Bob Newhart (Papa Elf,) Zooey Deschanel (Jovie,) Mary Steenburgen (Emily,) and James Cann (Walter) form an amazing supporting cast, while Will Ferrell's energy comes bursting off the screen.

Ferrell plays Buddy, a human who, one Christmas eve, thirty years ago, crawled out of his crib at the orphanage and into Santa's sack. Somehow Santa missed seeing Buddy in his sack until he got back to his workshop in the North Pole.

Papa Elf adopts Buddy, and raises him as his own. Thirty years pass, and it becomes painfully obvious that Buddy is not the elf everyone has been pretending he is. Papa Elf explains to Buddy that he is actually human, and that his father, played by James "Sonny Coreleone" Cann, lives in Manhattan.

The rest of the movie deals with Buddy finding his dad, falling in love, and of course, saving Christmas.

"Elf" is an absolutely charming film, and one for the whole family to enjoy

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious. Laugh fest
Review: I have been waiting for over a year for this to come out on DVD and my wait is over It will be out Nov 16 th. This is the Funniest and most enjoyable movie I have ever seen. It is the perfect holiday movie!!! Will Ferell performance as an elf who finds out he's adopted is funny words don't miss it.

Rating:
Summary: I liked it.....
Review: I thought Will Ferrel was a genius casting call, first of all for this chareccter. It had an original story idea, and I'm going to get it first thing when it comes out on DVD. And I really hope it has bloopers in it....

Rating:
Summary: this was great for all ages
Review: I was very disapointed by this film. I thought that it was completly unappropreate, and rated incorrectly. You should not let your child watch this film, unles aware of sex, and the bases.

Rating:
Summary: An elf out of water.
Review: In this delightful new holiday movie, Will Ferrell is an innocent named Buddy who was adopted as a baby by Santa and his elves. Having been raised in the North Pole, Buddy has no idea that he is human. However, when he grows up to be a six-footer, he begins to notice that he is physically different from his fellow elves. Much to his chagrin, Buddy's skills as a toymaker are a bit substandard. Finally, Papa Elf sends his ingenuous son to New York City to meet his biological father, played by the gruff James Caan.

This is the classic "fish out of water" plot that has been used in countless movies. How will Buddy, conspicuous in his green and yellow elf costume, with a pointy hat and pointy shoes, behave in New York City? How will Buddy's no-nonsense dad handle the fact that he has fathered a man who thinks he's an elf?

Predictably, Buddy, in his sweet innocence, has trouble adjusting to life in the big city. He wreaks havoc in a department store, exasperates his father, and soon feels lonely and unwanted. All of this works because the actors, including such seasoned veterans as Bob Newhart and Ed Asner, play it absolutely straight. Fortunately, there are only a few of the cloying scenes that often make holiday movies so difficult to take.

Hats off to the director and the special effects crew for delivering some hilarious sight gags and some cool and magical moments. Go see "Elf" with your kids. It is not great cinema, but I think that you will find this movie engaging and amusing holiday entertainment.