Copyright 1999-2003 3BlackChicks Enterprises™. All Rights Reserved.

The Diva's review of Elf (2003)

Rated PG; running time of 95 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Written by: David Berenbaum
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen, Daniel Tay

WARNING - SPOILERS BELOW.

The Digest

30 years ago, Santa (Ed Asner) was delivering presents to an orphanage when one of the babies crawls into his sack. Without realizing it, he takes the baby back to the North Pole and upon the discovery turns the baby over to a workaholic elf who always wanted children and is now willing to slow down to raise the orphan. And thus Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) raises the human child Buddy (Will Ferrell) in the elf world.

This is fine except for the fact that Buddy grows up to be about 6'3" - this is gigantic in the elf world. Everyone loves and accepts Buddy even though he doesn't quite fit in. A slip of the tongue reveals that he is adopted, this coupled with his need to fit in results in a trek from the North Pole to New York to meet his birth father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan).

There is a small problem - Walter didn't know that Buddy's mother was pregnant let alone had a child so it takes some convincing to get Walter to believe that Buddy is his. Buddy also discovers why Walter is on Santa's Bad List. Walter has no time for his family, including Buddy's half-brother Michael and Walter is rather unpleasant.

With his father not wanting much to do with him, Buddy finds a job as an Elf at Gimble's where he meets Jovie. Buddy begins to fall in love with Jovie, and with her help he sets out to save Christmas spirit and help his father find happiness.

The Dish

Can you imagine trying to pitch that plot? As horrible as it sounds, Elf really was extremely funny. Who better to play a giant child-like elf than Will Ferrell? It was brilliant casting because honestly without him and Bob Newhart this movie would have went down in flames. Yeah I know what I just said. Yes Ferrell saved this movie. Zooey Deschanel was cute as button and the part suited her, other than that everyone seemed out of place. It is a good thing that I spent most of my time laughing or else I would have realized just how much this movie sucked when it wasn't making us laugh.

Even still we had a few great laughs and the kids seemed to enjoy it. And that's all we really want sometimes - a movie that we can watch with our kids, right?

The Directive

Worth taking the family to a matinee.

Christmas cheer is here a little early this year.

back to top

Copyright Kamal "The Diva" Larsuel-Ulbricht, 2003
EMAIL: thediva@3blackchicks.com
ICQ: 8690410
http://www.3blackchicks.com/

Use the feedback form below to send your comments to The Diva

So, what do you think of this flick, or of the above commentary on it? Fill out the information below to let us know...

---

Would you like a response? Of course! Nah, not really...

Name:
Email address: (required)
What's your URL?

How did you find out about our site?

Link from another website

soc.culture.african.american

rec.arts.movies.reviews

other Usenet newsgroup

email or mailing list

search engine

other referral method

Which review are you commenting on?


May we have your permission to post your comments on our site?
Sure! Nope.

Comments (be as verbose as you'd like):

We take review requests! Movie review requested:

---

Want to share your thoughts and commentary with 3BC and others on this, or any other, show you've seen? Visit our "Viewer Voices" ™ webboard and let all of us hear what you have to say!

---

Search: Video Books Popular Music Classical Music	Enter keywords...

Your visits to our sponsors help support 3BC!

---

---

Check this site weekly for more reviews!