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Elf (Infinifilm Edition)
- Color
- Closed-captioned
- Widescreen
Avg. Customer Review: 
An elf out of water.
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.
 Will Farrell shines as Buddy
"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.
 this was great for all ages
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.
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