My Movie Review on Elf (2003)
Merry Christmas, Pals.
This is your friendly film, TV show, and episode reporter here with another review.
And today, for the tenth installment of my "Christmas Craze" series, I'm gonna be reviewing Will Ferrell's "Elf".
Here's the summary of it:
Buddy is an orphaned human who was accidentally transported to the North Pole by Santa Claus, where he was raised by an elf named Papa Elf afterwards.
After discovering that he's not actually an elf, Buddy is told about his birth parents and is thrilled to learn that his actual father, Walter Hobbs, is living in New York as a children's book publisher.
Hoping to find his place in the world, Buddy travels to New York in hopes of bonding with his father, despite the fact that Hobbs is on the Naughty List.
Will Buddy find his purpose in the world? Or will he forever consider himself worthless?
What's more, will Walter Hobbs discover that there's more to life than being successful?
I'm glad to finally review this movie, because in all seriousness...this film is another Christmas comedy that's deeply enjoyable!
The direction by Jon Favreau, and the story by David Berenbaum, were lovably fantastic.
Among the many things I enjoyed about it was its humor. Every joke that was incorporated was marvelously executed and hilarious, and there was an innocence about them that was reminiscent to the warmth of hot chocolate. I did think that the joke where Buddy belches after drinking the entire coke bottle should've been shortened some, but that's okay. I still thought it was entertaining.
Likewise, the film had a warmth and heart that gave the film a soul. The developing bonds between Buddy and the Hobbs family, the romance between Buddy and Jovie, and the bonds between Buddy and Papa Elf and Santa, were the elements that I thought helped the film have emotion.
The performances of the cast and their characters were astounding as well. Will Ferrell, of course, was the one who blew me away the most out of everyone. He not only had the funniest moments, but...he gave his character, Buddy, an incredible innocence and kindness that makes you want to hug him like he's a teddy bear. It's definitely one of his best roles ever, that's for sure.
And as always, John Debney was able to create another winner of a music score. The best musical moments of the film were when Jovie sang in the shower, and when she and everyone in New York were singing "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town".
In conclusion, "Elf" is another Christmas comedy that's absolutely fun and worthwhile. The comedy is hilarious, the story is well-done, the acting and characters are fun, everything! Not to mention the unexpected but entertaining tributes the film had to the Christmas specials from Rankin Bass County.
So, I rate "Elf" a complete five out of five stars.
