Elf

This is one of the greatest Christmas movies ever. When it plays for 24 hours on Christmas Eve on tv, I have no problem watching it over and over. I also think it's one of Will Ferrel's finest films.

We meet Buddy the Elf, who was an orphan who somehow finds his way to the north pole, and is then adopted and raised by Christmas Elves. He's about 4 feet taller than anyone else there, and can't help but feel out of place. He's no good at all the elf-ly duties. He then learns the truth that he is a human, and that his mom died, and his dad had no idea he existed. So after a sorrowful goodbye to Papa Elf, he travels to New York City.

He doesn't make the greatest impression on his father, a cold businessman in the children's literature business, who just so happens to be on the naughty list. Then he finds his way to a department store in which he is mistaken to be an employee at the North Pole toy shop. There he meets the lovely Jowe (Joey, played by Zooey Deschanel!!!) She's a blonde btw! This was the first movie I ever saw her in.  He's smitten, to say the least. He learns that Santa is going to be visiting the next day, and so he spends the night decorating the place so that it will impress Santa.

The next morning he hears Jowe singing in the shower, and joins her in singing Baby it's Cold Outside. Basically anytime that Zooey sings is a highlight of the movie. He then becomes very upset when he realizes that it is not the real Santa. Now, during the fight between Buddy and the fake Santa, Andrew was overcome with a ridiculous hiccup attack, so we were pretty distracted for a few minutes.

His dad bails him out of jail, gets a paternity test, and then introduces Buddy to his wife and son. Buddy is the ultimate manchild, but in a good way. He decorates the house like crazy, and is just so happy about everything, and of course requires sugar as a major part of his diet. He spends the afternoon hanging out with his brother Michael. They(Buddy) demolish some punks in a snow ball fight, and he gets the courage to ask Jowe out on a date. 

The next day, he goes to work with his dad, and just becomes a nuisance. He is then sent to the mail room, thinking it would be amazing and fun. There he gets drunk and starts a pretty crunk party. He then has a really amazing date with Jowe which consists of a tasting of the "worlds best cup of coffee", running through revolving doors, looking at pretty Christmas trees, and then ice skating.

He then barges in on a very important meeting his father is having with a famous children's book writer (played by Peter Dinklage!!) There are some bad elf jokes made unintentionally and his dad gets super pissed. Buddy decides to leave and go back to the north pole. While walking, he see's Santa's sleigh crash in Central Park. The clausomotor, normally run on christmas spirit is dead, and the spare engine has fallen off. Buddy is the only one who can fix it. Michael grabs Santa's list and begins to read it to the public, trying to raise the level of Christmas spirit. Jowe also leads the crowd in some Christmas carols, and it works! Which is a good thing because their engine gets knocked off by a fountain after being repaired, and so they are solely reliant on Christmas spirit. Even Buddys cold hearted father's heart grows 5 sizes and begins to believe! Christmas is saved!! Hooray!!

 After being fired from his job, his dad starts his own publishing company in which his first book is about Buddy's adventures. Buddy and Jowe get married and have a cute baby, and often visit the North Pole to see Papa Elf.

One thing I absolutely love is the way that this movie gives a nod to the old Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer movie, in regards to Buddy and Jowe's elf outfits, and the appearance of the North Pole. There is even a cool wise snowman and fun woodland creatures. Also, some major pluses of this movie are the montages. First we have one showing us all the things that Buddy has trouble with living with elves in the North Pole. Then we see his adventures as he first enters and explores NYC. Then of course when is locked in the department store overnight (every kids dream!!) while he is decorating the place. This movie also just brings out the child in the viewer.  I was laughing like crazy throughout the movie, and even teared up a little at the end of the movie.
The part of the movie where Andrew guffawed: "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"

If you haven't seen it, just wait for Christmas Eve and watch it during it's awesome marathon.

Andrew's Closing Thought: My favorite Will Ferrel movie.

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