I don’t know why everyone seems to be so keen on “Elf”. It just doesn’t appeal to me. I’m not quite sure what it is about the film but I’m sure there’s something really weird and even a little bit disturbing about “Elf”.

“Elf” follows a human in an elf’s world by the name of Buddy (Will Ferrell “Step Brothers”). When he is told by his adopted father that he Buddy was adopted he sets on a trip to New York to find his real father (James Caan “The Godfather”). Not understanding the new world he’s in Buddy unleashes a horde of unwanted Christmas joy and what I and any sane person would consider very bizarre behaviour while searching for his father. Also on the way Buddy finds both family and love.

Buddy is given lots of energy by Will Ferrell but that’s it. I find him a bland character and an incredibly goofy one. Like I said there’s something a little bit disturbing about the movie “Elf” and his character and/or performance might just be it. Although he’s memorable it’s sadly not in a good way. Buddy’s father, who is on Santa’s naughty list, is at least an interesting character and played quite nicely by James Caan.

I just don’t get what’s so good about “Elf”. Sure it has a cute concept but I really don’t enjoy the execution. I do like how it takes some inspiration from old Christmas specials including “Rudolph” but that’s about as far as it goes. Sure “Elf” isn’t a particularly bad movie I just don’t think it’s that great and with all the other great Christmas movie including “It’s A Wonderful Life”, the original version of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and even movies like “Gremlins” so why bother with “Elf”? I can maybe see young kids (5-8yrs) enjoying “Elf” but that’s as far it goes.