This hilarious Christmas film tells the tale of a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts on Christmas Eve and is transported back to the North Pole and raised as an elf. Years later Buddy learns... more » he is not really an elf and goes on a journey to New York City to find his true identity.« less
Actors:Vince Vaugh, Rachel McAdams Genres:Comedy, Kids & Family Sub-Genres:Comedy, Family Films Studio:New Line Home Video Format:UMD for PSP - Color - Closed-captioned DVD Release Date: 10/04/2005 Original Release Date: 01/01/2003 Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/2003 Release Year: 2005 Run Time: 1hr 35min Screens: Color Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 1 MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Languages:English See Also:
The first hour of this was a bit of a drag with a few good moments but Elf really took off when Peter Dinklage showed up.
Movie Reviews
An elf out of water.
E. Bukowsky | NY United States | 11/12/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Bonkers But Beautiful
Phome | NY, USA | 11/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I loved this movie. It was totally bonkers: a human baby accidently ends up on the north pole and grows up among the elf community that supports Santa Claus. Buddy, as he comes to be known, knows that he's "special" however, since he can't keep up with the other elves. Never mind the fact that he's about three times as tall as any of them and barely fits in the shower.When he's 30, and still young by Elf standards, he learns that he's really a human. Buddy decides to go in search of his father (who's on Santa's naughty list), to find out where he belongs. He walks to New York (through the Lincoln tunnel), and is immediately run over by a cab. The chain of events starts at that moment ...Buddy is a delightful and enchanting character with many special talents and a childish personality. He is naive to the point of stupidity, but charming all the while. His lovable demeanour gains him friends in spite of his clumsy efforts. He is sweet, kind and generous. When his father at first rejects him, Buddy ends up in a department store where other elves (people who pretend to be Santa's elves) are working, and stays up all night to decorate the place. When the department store Santa isn't the real Santa, well, you can guess what happens ... Buddy eats spaghetti covered in syrup, smarties and pop tarts; he gets drunk in the mail room of his father's office and his young half-brother shows him to ask a girl out on a date. But all the while, things are looking bad for Santa Claus (and also Buddy's father). How will Buddy rescue the day? When Santa crashes his sleigh in Central Park, it's Buddy's moment to shine.Abstract, enchanting, child-like madness all make up this beautiful movie. Absolutely delightful and recommended to viewers of all ages. If you want a Christmas feel-good movie, this is it."
Great for Kids and SNL fans!
Lacey Henderson | now at Austin, Texas, formerly a Cleveland, Ohio | 11/06/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After seeing the preview, I decided to take my kids to go see it with me. It had some cute funny parts and even a few silly parts that children could relate to. My son (7 yr old) really liked it! Myself, who is Will Farrell fan (and liked SNL a lot better when he was still on the show), also liked this movie. But, at times, it seemed a little never-ending. It at times, seemed like a drawn-out SNL skit gone boring!
But overall, It was a good movie for children and SNL fans. And if you do not fall in that category, wait until it comes out to video, or wait until it goes to one of those cheap theaters!"
Anarcho-Christmas cheesey brilliance
Swiss Bob | UK | 03/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First of all, this was the funniest film I have ever seen; I was in tears half way through. Yes, it is a kids' movie, but adults get to watch Will Farrel rip the heart out of Christmas by camping it up and being ridiculously sincere. Watching Farrel start a fight with a fake Santa for "sitting on a throne of lies" is about as fun as films get. Those reviewers who think that this was cheesey nonsense - duh. It was supposed to be, and that is what made it so funny. And you seem to have missed the whole essence of the film.Oh, and the kids liked it too."
SWEET, FUNNY AND ORIGINAL
Darcie B | Ohio | 08/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I rarely go see movies twice, but after taking my four children, I treated my parents and watched it again! You fall in love with Buddy, you just can't help it! Will Ferrell is not the kooky nut in this one as in most of his movies, he truly shows the innocent, sweetness of Buddy the elf. Full of laughs, and not as predictable as you might think. I just can't wait until it is released to purchase. I will own this one, please note that after viewing you will need to decorate your house for Christmas immediately !! :)"