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| Elf (2003)
  
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen and Zooey Deschanel Director: Jon Favreau Rating: PG Category: Comedy  |
Opening alongside "The Matrix Revolutions" may seem like box-office suicide, but with its charmingly simple humor and creative script, "Elf," starring SNL alum Will Ferrell, is a sweet treat for all ages to enjoy.
Buddy the Elf (Ferrell) is a human, but has been raised by elves since wandering into Santa's bag on Christmas morning at the children's orphanage 30 years ago. Stuck with a tough decision, Santa (Edward Asner) takes in the young boy and leaves him in the care of Papa Elf (Bob Newhart).
Despite his childlike innocence and cheerfulness, Buddy's enormous height advantage and complete lack of toy-making skills finally triggers the thought that maybe he isn't an elf after all. Determined to find a place where he truly belongs, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York to hunt down his biological father (James Caan).
Kind-hearted and immature at times, "Elf" still consistently rolls through the laughs, handing out jokes that affect all different ages. The bulk of the humor stems from Ferrell's riotous performance as the happy-go-lucky Buddy as well as the keen directing skills of second-time director Jon Favreau ("Swingers" and "Made"), whose ability to capture the perfect moment of every scene makes "Elf" even more endearing.
Extra jovial and loaded with holiday cheer, Buddy's comical antics during his tour of the Big Apple had me laughing harder than the short doses of burp and fart jokes injected into the script for the children. Just like "School of Rock" was a star vehicle for Jack Black, "Elf" is very much one for Will Ferrell, whose vibrant portrayal of the naive elf should earn him plenty of praise from the audience. But don't take my word for it -- go see "Elf" for yourself.
~Jason Zingale
jzingale@bullz-eye.com