Elf A Fun Family Movie

Ever since his days in Saturday Night Live, Will Ferrell has shown a tremendous amount of talent. Not limited to any type-character, he was able to play a sweet innocent person or jump to the other side of the spectrum and play an arrogant self indulgent fool.

The thing he did best in SNL however, is make you completely like him. He has that "IT THING", that just makes you feel good, regardless of what he is doing on screen. In the show, when found in a horrible skit.. he still always found a way to shine, from out of the boring or uninspired skit.

His shine is like of some of the big players making movies today. Like Jack Black, Will Smith, Hugh Jackman and countless others.. he naturally exudes a likability factor. Just like some actors give off a persona that makes you (for some reason)not like them (such as Russel Crow) Will Ferrell, takes you prisoner, when it comes to enjoyment.

In Elf, Will Ferrel fills you with joy and makes you thank the fact that he left SNL. Elf could not have been a success, had he not played the ever lovable over grown elf. Their is no one who could have pulled off the innocent and sweet man-child character that Ferrel created.

As a movie, Elf is an uplifting, funny, feel good movie, that makes you glad that people still care about making sweet movies that don't entirely suck. Jon Favreau (Made and The Big Empty) has directed a fantastic family movie that is full of good humor and bring that warm feeling to the heart. He made a movie that could be enjoyed by kids as well as parents. Plus, it is the first movie that truly establishes Will Ferrel as a big time leading man in Hollywood.

The Story

(Contains major details about the movie)

Buddy is the over grown elf played by Will Ferrell. As a baby an orphanage was his home. One day that changed when he stowed away in a sack belonging to Santa Clause. That is how he ended up living in the North Pole. As an adult who was raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs who is solidly played by James Caan.

Hobbs, who has placed on Santa's naughty list for being a heartless jerk, and a failing father, had not the slightest clue that he had a child.. let alone one like Buddy. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the many details of New York City (and human culture in general.. since he has only lived among elves). When Walter's relationship with Buddy interferes with his job, that is the beginning of a problem that only true Christmas spirit will be able to fix.

Oh Zooey!

Another great part of the movie was having the sweet and cute Zooey Deschanel(Almost Famous and The hitchhiker Guide to the Galaxy). Not only did she look rather nice in an elf suit but she also played a sweet girl who fell for a sweet guy. While her part was not as big as I would have liked, she still was a big part in the kind hearted feel that this movie has.

Tenacious D

Also, in this movie we see a slight glimpses at Kyle Gass (with out Jack Black for once.. must feel nice..) Kyle Gass, better known for the second half of Tenacious D, did a nice job at producing the funny with fellow funny maker Andy Richter who was also funny in Madagascar.

That Was A Good Job

Favreau has done... all that was needed, to make a delightful family funny movie. Creating a cast that fit the bill he made a movie that was uplifting, with out the great need of a sappy ending. The special effect where great and helped the movie in its progression. The best thing that he probably did.. was display W. Ferrell as the great talent that he is. Few people (considering the millions of movie goers in the U.S.) expected for this SNL alumni to make such a big splash and such a great performance.

Not only was Elf a great family film but immensely profitable. With a Domestic Total Gross of $173,398,518 it was a massive hit. This is because the cost was so miniscule. For the Production Budget was only $33 million and the Est. Marketing Costs was $25 million. Surely New Line Cinema was highly delighted that they greenlighted this film.