Elf has some interesting things going for it, but blows at least some of them for gags involving Will Farrell man-child comedy. The North Pole's retro Rankin-Bass look and animal sidekicks, for example, fall flat and serve no purpose. If the film paid tribute more overtly to other holiday classics, there might be something to it. As it is, it's in the same vein as The Santa Clause (though in reverse), a sometimes sweet, fish out of water story with a cute lead character who ends up saving Christmas with spirit and sincerity. Now if only Buddy the (adopted human) Elf didn't have to be so dumb as well. Being raised as an elf has apparently stunted his development to the point where he acts like a silly 6-year-old basically, and a little of that goes a long way. I'll call it inoffensive and leave it at that.

Had no expectations to this one, was pleasently surprised. A good, warm and cheerful Christmas movie with a really great performance by Will Ferrel!

Quirky Christmas comedy with Will Ferrell and parallels to 'Miracle on 34th Street'. Seen it a few times, still good fun. 8/10.

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