Review: Elf (2003)

Elf opened in cinemas across the world in 2003, and debuted at number two in North America. Unlike most films that came before it, instead of making a steady decline in the box office chart, Elf climbed to number one in its second week, and went on to become an unlikely success, making over $170 million in North America. However, Elf wasn't such a massive success overseas, only making $47 million internationally. Still, it became the seventh highest grossing film of the year domestically, and has become somewhat of a modern Christmas classic.

Buddy, a human elf who travelled to the North Pole in Santa's sack as a baby, leaves the home he's always known to go to New York City and find his birth father, spreading Christmas cheer to all he meets along the way.

“The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Buddy is a wonderfully unique character. He loves syrup with all his foods, has an epic snowball-throwing ability, and applies a child-like wonderment to everything he sees. Upon learning that he isn't an elf by birth, Buddy is eager to learn his true identity, which is why he makes the trip to New York. On his arrival in the Big Apple, Buddy is fascinated by everyday human things, such as gum and escalators, which is fun, and often funny, to watch. It's rather sweet, not to mention interesting, watching Buddy adjust to every day human life.

One of my favourite things about this film besides the way that Buddy reacts to everyday things and other people, is the way that people react to Buddy. I'm referring particularly to the reactions of Walter's wife, Emily, and younger son, Michael. Emily reacts immediately with kindness and understanding, even trying Buddy's spaghetti and syrup, which he makes specially for her. Michael is initially rather embarrassed by Buddy, but quickly grows to love him. I think that Michael sees that, though Buddy is quite obviously an adult by years, by nature, he is still quite clearly a child. This, incidentially, makes Buddy all the more endearing. 

I remember really not looking forward to seeing Elf. In fact, I had no desire to see it at all. You see, I'm not a huge Will Ferrell fan. I can't name a single movie of his, besides Elf, that I like, or have seen for that matter. He just doesn't appeal to me. It was a friend of mine that eventually persuaded me to watch the film, and it was nothing like I thought it would be. No, to my surprise, it was actually really rather good. I bought the DVD soon after, and have watched it every Christmas ever since.

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

Christmas classics are few and far between. It's extremely rare for a newly made Christmas flick to become a classic. More so these days, when a majority of Christmas movies are made for TV. But I believe that Elf is one of the few films that makes the grade. Now, don't get me wrong. It's no It's a Wonderful Life, but it is a good, extremely cheery Christmas movie that certainly deserves a chance.

Will Ferrell perfectly captures the magical innocence of Buddy, the elf. He is wonderful in the role, and, despite my dislike of him as an actor in general, I do not think that anybody else could have played Buddy so brilliantly. James Caan is good as Buddy's birth father, Walter, and he makes it possible for us to like Walter, even though the character isn't exactly the nicest guy we've ever seen onscreen. I also liked seeing Bob Newhart as Papa Elf. Though the role was limited, he made the most of the character.

I would love to be friends with somebody like Buddy. I am a huge Christmas nut; the biggest one I know, and it would be an absolute thrill for me to meet somebody like him. As I choose to believe in Santa Claus, I also believe that there are elves out there... somewhere, and I like to think that they're all like Buddy. But that's just me... :-)

Elf is a funny movie with a gigantic heart. 8/10

Trivia: The screenplay for Elf first emerged in 1993, and originally had Jim Carey attached to play Buddy, the elf.