Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs, a cynical businessman on Santa's naughty list. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results. When people think of the best Christmas movies, this one tends to appear in the top 5 region and I can certainly see why. It is such a hilarious and charming film that, undoubtedly, captures the Christmas spirit, being equally fun for the whole family. Filled with bright colours and breathtaking decorations, Elf is exceptionally beautiful, perfectly capturing every feeling and emotion associated with this festive season. Will Ferrell as the elf-raised human, Buddy, was an excellent choice. His hyperactive energy elevates every moment as his over-enthusiasm gets the better of him in any situation he's placed in. It is thoroughly amusing watching him having difficulty fitting in with the tinny elves whilst being of human stature. It is perfectly illustrated on frequent occasions my favourite, being him sitting at a school at a desk he barely fits into or the scene of him trying to take a shower in a miniature bathroom. His human side also inhibited him from keeping up with the naturally gifted elves, which landed him with the 'special' jobs, such as testing jack-in-the-boxes. However, where he truly shines is when he sets out on his quest to find his father in New York. Living with elves didn't prepare him for the human world, and I love every moment. Seeing something new he doesn't fully understand he throws himself at it. He would eat used gum off of the streets, (which was so disgusting) or run around repeatedly in a revolving door completely oblivious to the reactions around him. Watching a man walking around New York in his bright green and yellow elf costume is a bizarre sight that only gets funnier with all the wacky things he partakes in. The best part about those scenes too, was the interactions with passing citizens were completely unscripted with genuine reactions. My favourite scenes of Buddy are when something majorly Christmassy happens or is mentioned, causing him to get unimaginably excited. Whilst in the store Gimbles the manager announces that Santa will be coming down tomorrow, to which Buddy screams, "SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM!" whilst jumping around. The scene only grows to greater hysterics when we see the manager's face, which cracks me up every time. They take this joke even further when the next day, Santa arrives, only for Buddy to realise it's someone impersonating Santa. Buddy takes things too far when confronting him, leading to a fight between the two, much to the horror of the onlooking children. Alongside Ferrell, my other favourite character has to be James Caan's Walter. When pinned together with Buddy, they share some fantastic interactions, constantly generating waves of laughter, what with their contrasting personalities. Walter doesn't understand Buddy and frequently tries to dissociate from him, not believing in his elf persona or being his son. I adore all the sequences where Buddy is being his overly happy self, like starting tickle fights or wanting to make gingerbread houses, which Walter is seriously unamused by. Watching them slowly connect and see Walter grow was a delightful experience. This effect equally overtakes the family including, Walter's son Michael who grows a personal bond with Buddy, helping him understand human behaviour. Another key element I enjoyed was seeing the relationship Buddy grows with Jovie, a worker he meets at Gimbles. He is instantly captivated by her and though she has a distaste for the season, he awakens that sense of wonder, helping her find a new liking for the season. Overall, Elf is a joy-filled adventure certain to lift your holiday spirits with its delightful comedy, gorgeous winter visuals and festive songs. Elf has left a grand impact on the Christmas season that I couldn't imagine skipping it any December.
Director: Jon Favreau
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