Starring Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Ed Asner, Bob Newhart
Score: 9 out of 10
NOTE: This review first appeared on the original BILM website. It's been retouched for reposting.
Dear Santa,
How are you? I hope this letter finds you and Mrs. Claus well and relaxed after your vacation to Vegas.
How are things up in the North Pole? Are the elves still trying to organize? I hope PETA has stopped sending you letters about Rudolph. A 200-watt light bulb never hurt anyone--especially not a reindeer.
Speaking of the team: I loved seeing Donner, Blitzen, and the crew in the movie Elf. Being able to see everyone in action is always such a treat and I think goes a long way to helping the world understand what you do. Dare I say, hiring that PR fir was one of the best moves you've ever made.
Elf is the sweet and endearing story of a human raised by the elves in your workshop. He comes to the North Pole by sneaking into your sack during one of the Christmas Eve stops. Of course, I know this is next to impossible, especially with Mega-Bag with automatic gift tracking technology (TM), but this is Hollywood, which is never about reality.
Anyway, it becomes apparent pretty quickly to the elves that this newest addition, named Buddy, is a bit different. Aside from being three times the size of a normal elf (even though both you and I know the elves of the Ubermaximus species can grow to be as tall as 22 feet), he's less than nimble in the toy-making department.
One day, sometime during Buddy's third decade, his step-father Bob Newhart tells him the truth about his background, which sends him to New York City to try and find his biological father. As you can imagine the exuberance of an elf in any modern city would be cause for concern, especially with their super powers and all, but, I can assure you the only thing Buddy uses against the bitter, cynical residents of New York is his chirpy attitude and a love of maple syrup.
Buddy's dad looks like a mobster, but he's actually a children's book publisher who's so naughty that he produces books without endings. Can you imagine? The monster. Oh yeah--he also steals money from orphans and nuns. Mr. Naughty is hesitant to accept that Buddy is his son, but brings him home where Buddy lights up the lives of his wife and other son. But will Buddy warm the cold, hard embers of Mr. Naughty's heart? Will he convince the world that you really do exist? Will he give the world a Coke and teach them all to sing in prefect harmony? I'm not telling. Santa, you're going to have to rent it (or see one of the many showings on TNT) to find out.
I know you're busy, but you should take some time out this holiday season to spend some time with Elf. The movie is a lot of fun and easily one of the best Christmas films to come along since the original Santa Clause.
Will Ferrell, who plays Buddy, brings an excited charm to the character that makes you fall instantly in love. It would've been easy to play the role too over the top as to be coying, but Ferrell walks that line perfectly and turns in a finely-tuned comedic performance.
Ferrell may be a stand out, but the rest of the cast is wonderful, including Bob, Jame Caan as Mr. Naughty, and Lou Grant (aka Ed Asner) who plays, well, you. Lou absolutely captures your gruff, but caring demeanor.
Another highlight of the film is the set design--namely that of the North Pole. Alive with color, the sets suggest some on-site research. As I know that isn't possible, the idea probably came from those documentaries on Rudolph and Frosty--you know the ones narrated by Burl Ives--shown on TV every year. I'll say it again: hiring that PR firm was one of the best decisions you have ever made. Anyway, the set design is absolutely magical and made me want to unpack my Christmas tree.
Well, Santa I should get going. Have a great holiday season and when you come to my house you can expect the usual--a cold, frosty brew with a few chips and some salsa to clean the palette from all those cookies.
Love always,
Nikita
