Elf
Review by Clint Morris
 There
have been many before him who have succeeded, and even more
that have failed.
In fact, it’s quite a rarity that former "Saturday
Night Live" star Will Ferrell has been able to translate
his success to the big screen.
In the 1980’s, the series was used as a spring board
to cinema for greats like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Eddie
Murphy and Bill Murray, and in the 1990’s it was responsible
for giving birth to Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Chris Farley
and David Spade, among those that have actually seen the shift
from small to big screens as a blessing.
But for every Sandler, there was a Norm MacDonald, and for
every Aykroyd, there was a Tim Meadows. Up 'till now, Will
Ferrell hasn’t exactly proved to audiences that’s
he’s deserving of such transitory success – admit
it, was Old School that good?
But with this newest role, he more than implants a confidence
chip in every one of our incredulous noggins. Enter the new
Carrey, Sandler…
On Christmas Eve, a toddler crawls into Santa’s sack
and hitches a ride back to the North Pole. Santa discovers
the bub, and hands it over to a fatherly elf [Bob Newhart]
to take care of.
‘Buddy’ – as he’s named – eventually
starts to question why he’s so much bigger than and not
as analogous as his fellow elves, and is informed of his real
origin. It’s then that he hops a block of ice to New
York City in search of the father he never knew existed [James
Caan].
Why “Elf” works is because it’s suited to
Ferrell to a tee. From the physical humour – everyone
loves to see a guy fall down and run into solid walls –
to the daft nature of the character, you can’t imagine
anyone except the towering comedian headlining it.
And to be honest, there’s hardly a slow spot in the
movie. Laughs are constant, very constant, and although there
are a couple of brief melodramatic scenes towards the end,
it never overshadows the gag that’ll follow.
In some respects, many might be wishing for a little more
drama, or emotional scenes, especially between Dad and new-found
son.
But on the other hand, this is a film aimed at kids, and
do they really need to be told or cursed by the knowledge
that said Elf is the bastard offspring of an industrialist
that found it hard to commit? Or even have jammed in their
hands the thoughtlessness of some parents?
Nah, let it rest at "Me Son, You Dad".
Elf is quite a departure for filmmaker, Jon Favreau,
who previously helmed such chic adult comedies like Made
and Swingers, but he proves himself quite the force
behind the kiddy lens.
He keeps everything very lively, very sweet and neither too
kiddy or too adult. Unfortunately, the film does seem to come
to an abrupt end, and the ending feels a little flatter than
the first half. But that’s a minor beef considering the
rest of the film has the potential to be one of the best family
comedies we’ve seen in quite some time.
Welcome to the big leagues, Mr Ferrell.
3.5 out of 5
Elf
Australian release: Thursday November 27th
Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Zooey Deschanel,
Edward Asner, Mary Steenburgen.
Director: Jon Favreau.
Website: Click
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