Elf - A new Christmas classic emerges

Ask someone what their favorite Christmas movie is and you could get a number of different responses. Some people love “White Christmas” or “it’s a Wonderful Life,” while others swear by “A Christmas Story” or “Scrooge!” Those are all great movies, but they are also very, very old. In fact, few Christmas movies of recent years have really stuck with the movie-going public and become what one would deem a “holiday classic.” Perhaps it is because that to become a holiday classic a movie must stand the test of time. “Elf” was only released in theaters last year and was just recently released on DVD, but it is one that I feel will be able to stand the test of time and become a “holiday classic.”

“Elf” is the story of a human baby who leaves his crib in an orphanage, crawls into Santa’s bag and is then by raised by elves. When Buddy (Will Ferrell) gets too big to ignore, he is told that he is a human and thiat his father lives in New York City. Buddy goes on a quest to find his father (James Caan), who is a gloomy workaholic who ignores his other son. In addition to saving his family, Buddy also falls in love with a girl playing a department store elf and restores the city’s Christmas spirit and belief in Santa Claus (Ed Asner).

“Elf” is hilarious, due mainly to Will Ferrell’s portrayal of Buddy. Santa’s elves are incredibly optimistic, cheerful and cute and Buddy is no exception. Ferrell’s characterization never falters or strays from his innate sweetness and because of this he becomes a very endearing character. The movie also succeeds because of Jon Favreau’s direction and the wonderful way that the Rankin-Bass Christmas specials are remembered. The supporting cast is also very good, including Zooey Deschanel as Buddy’s girlfriend, Mary Steenburgen as Buddy’s step-mom and appearances from Peter Dinklage, Andy Richter, Amy Sedaris, Kyle Gass and Matt Walsh (he’s the guy talking to the newscaster towards the end of the film).

I saw “Elf” during it’s theatrical run and was very charmed by it and, after watching it last week, I can honestly say that it has held up very well. I plan on adding it to my Christmas movie repertoire, so, for me anyway,”Elf” is well on it’s way to becoming a “holiday classic.”

If you’d like to hear Lindsay and I argue more about holiday movies, come see us at Barnes and Noble in Fayetteville this Saturday at 4 p.m.