Elf Review

When the film Swingers emerged on the scene in 1996, it wasn't easy to predict how the two leads would progress in the Hollywood system. Who would have thought it was Jon Favreau and not Vince Vaughn that was making big bucks on such blockbusters as Iron Man and Cowboys & Aliens? And some smaller films too, such as the smaller budget fare of the modern Christmas movie, Elf.

Sneaking into Santa's sack in an orphanage as a toddler, Buddy the human-sized elf is far from fitting in Santa's workshop. Though proudly carrying more Christmas spirit than others, he is oversized and clumsy, and is reluctantly told by Papa Elf that his calling is in New York City. He must go find his father, Walter Hobbs, a disgruntled and naughty-listed children's book publisher, played by James Caan.

Buddy is played by Will Ferrell, who is in wonderful form, playing childish ignorance like only he can, and it is his journey around the Big Apple that brings the real fun. He investigates the oddities of modern America from a North Pole viewpoint. He must learn - or ignore the advice - not to eat the gum on the sidewalk, that peep shows have nothing to do with Christmas presents, and that running around in revolving door can make you quite unwell.

The ever-cute and ever-singing Zooey Deschanel plays Buddy's love interest, a cynical sales clerk-come-elf at the toy store, who warms to Buddy's honest love for life. Wooing her becomes just as important as being welcomed into the family. He grows close to his younger step-brother Michael after single-handedly defending him from a gang of bullies in a snowball fight, showing his expertise in all things Christmassy, even warfare.

The antics of his son are not easy for Walter to accept, from his attacking fake Santas at toy stores to adding maple syrup and M&M's to every meal. Things come to a head when he finds an angry "South Pole elf" in the form of a talented Peter Dinklage as a dwarfed and hugely famous children's author, who happens to be Walter's best chance at a Christmas book signing.

A community rendition of 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' is necessary to save Santa's sleigh from capture by the Central Park Rangers and allows the gift-giving of Christmas to continue.
Because after all, "The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear."

Fun Fact:

The 12 second-long belch that Buddy provides after drinking a full 2 litres of cola was actually performed by voice actor, Maurice LaMarche, best-known as 'The Brain' from beloved children's animation Pinky and the Brain