Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Elf

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Posted by Jeff Stuckey (Member # 1718) on 11-04-2003, 03:13 PM:

Hello everyone. I really expected ELF to be a real stinker, but I actually liked it very much. Will Ferrell is hilarious as the misguided elf that goes to New York to find his dad. I loved all of the CG animation while he is in the North Pole. It reminded me of all those 60's christmas shows that are all classics now. Even the opening credits have that sort of feel.

Will plays an elf named Buddy, who just is a big 30 year old kid (like so many of us). Just wait for the scene when he sits down to eat spaghetti, and all of the toppings he adds. This movie is definitely geared toward families and kids. I saw it at an advance screening and the audience went wild for this film. There is a scene were everyone in the film sings "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". I thought for sure the audience was going to start singing too.

This is just one of those warm and fuzzy hoilday movies. If you aren't into that, you might want to skip this one. Although you will be missing out on some funny stuff. Go and enjoy!

Posted by Evans A Criswell (Member # 381) on 11-04-2003, 03:38 PM:

I'm glad to hear it is actually a pretty good movie. Every time I see a preview for it, I think "Oh no! Not again!". I might actually see it now when it comes out.

Posted by John Carpenter (Member # 1488) on 11-06-2003, 02:45 PM:

Well I agree to a point with the first comment... and that point is about the end of the first reel. The beginning in the North Pole was very funny and the 60's Christmas characters at the North Pole made me think - this could be good. But after Buddy arrived in NY - it went all downhill. Was a very painful hour after that to sit through. Even with low expectations, I was still dissapointed. And just think we got this instead of Return of the King [Mad]

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 11-06-2003, 08:03 PM:

I hated this film so much that I actually contemplated throwing fruit at Will Farrel at Show East. [thumbsdown]

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 11-06-2003, 11:28 PM:

Ian,

I'm with you! I don't care for Will Ferrel anyway, but I decided to give this one a go because the wife wanted to see it. Instead of watching the movie, I found myself dazing off into what else I should be, or could be doing. The spaghetti scene was different but aside from that.... [puke]

A BIG FAT

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 11-07-2003, 01:02 AM:

I'm a Ferrell fan, but still wasn't expecting much here. There were a few funny moments, but for the most part the movie was just boring. I did not really care about the characters or what they were doing. James Caan, a great actor, just didn't have much to work with. He looked frustrated just to be in the movie! Anyhow, the kids might like it, but don't quote me on that one. Too bad that Ferrell's talent was wasted here. He truly is a funny man.

AJG

Posted by Don Anderson (Member # 397) on 11-07-2003, 02:25 AM:

It ain't no Santa Clause 2, that's for sure!!! Gotta love my english! I had a hard time sitting still for 97 minutes. I found it very boring, very slow paced, and not too funny. Granted, there were a few belly laughs, but 90% of the movie was DULL. It will be interesting to see how it does this weekend. I don't see it having any staying power like Santa Clause 2. That film packed them in everyday of the 7 weeks that we ran it. Elf looks like a dud, I can't see any family enjoyment in it, unless you're braindead. Gee, two bad films in one week.....Matrix and Elf.

Posted by Lance C. McFetridge (Member # 95) on 11-07-2003, 05:58 AM:

While the humor, or lack of at certain parts got very dull. I think this film will do business. Will Farrel draws.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-07-2003, 05:23 PM:

The only amusing parts in the movie is in the trailer, and they are far and few to be found. I think a certain age bracket of children will find this movie funny, but only for the sake of seeing a grown-up act like a kid. The joke wears off fast...really fast and we are left with nothing more than a stupid movie.

By the way, it looks like Deluxe has changed their CRAP code a little bit for this movie. The dots were even MORE obnoxious than before! Fortunately it seemed their frequency wasn't quite as much.

Death to the Deluxe CRAP code!!! [fu]

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 11-08-2003, 03:55 AM:

quote:
I hated this film so much that I actually contemplated throwing fruit at Will Farrel at Show East.

Instead, why don`t you make a movie which is much funnier than this and shame him in this way?

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 11-08-2003, 01:12 PM:

I watched the second half of this movie last night and I think it just about met with my expectations. The climax in/around New York's Central Park was very satisfying and the climax is usually the raison d'etre for the Fish Out of Water and Christmas Hero subgenres.

But I have to agree that ELF isn't a perfect movie. My main complaint would have to be that the film is narratively disjointed -- possibly due to the NSL sketch mentality -- and some of the interpersonal relationships seem to blossom too easily between Buddy and others. This is especially true when it comes to his kid brother and the mail room co-worker, neither of whom seems to like Buddy at first.

Now I need to see the beginning.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 11-08-2003, 03:48 PM:

Isn`t beginning and end the same in the endless continuity of the universe?

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-08-2003, 06:09 PM:

Michael, that's twice in this one thread you have posted comments without offering a review of the movie. Do not post here if you do not have a review to add.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 11-09-2003, 02:50 AM:

Oh, sorry! Well, I liked it because it was silly and entertaining, but I also thought they could have made more of the idea than the usual stuff where he gets into trouble or people think he behaves weird because he doesn`t know better. I liked details like the animations of the animals waiving him goodbye - they reminded me of Russian and Czekh children`s movies I watched as a kid.
Maybe the whole movie would indeed have been funnier with Ian as The Elf, though.

Posted by Michael Brown (Member # 890) on 11-11-2003, 06:52 PM:

It's has Zooey Deschanel in it. So I reserve the right to see it at least 3 times. [Smile]

*swoons* Oh Zooey.....

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 11-15-2003, 09:16 PM:

Just saw it at AMC Mansell - Atlanta. No obvious faults in the projection. I guess that's a compliment considering the many mixed expreiences I have had here in recent months.

Too many damn kids at the 5:10 show. The theater is located in soccer mom land - the north Atlantan suburbs. A bunch of dim female teens speaking California Valley speak southern style went in and out a couple of times. One lady brought her grandkids and the 4 year old boy would not shut up. And way too many kids going in and out to get popcorn or go to the restroom.

Anyway, the movie itself was a mixed bag. The first half all the way until Will Ferrel gets his blood test was good. Then it went downhill. While not terrible, the watchable second half,was no better than the sappy second halves of Sandler's sappier movies like Mr Deeds. And when that kid comes to break up the meeting at the end, I was getting a bit annoyed. Same old crap in every movie.

I like Will Ferrel , but the script should have been fleshed out better. It's amazing how many family movies become huge blockbusters by virtue of just being decent. This movie is going to make $100M in little time considering the second week had a lot of packed houses too. I think parents are just too lazy to check out alternatives.

And what is up with all the christmas releases way too early in the season?
First Half: B+. Second Half: C-

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-19-2003, 11:50 AM:

quote:
Will Ferrell is hilarious

Quite the opposite of his normal, unfunny self. Hey, it's a Christmas show!

Posted by Mitchell Cope (Member # 32) on 11-25-2003, 10:41 PM:

Will Ferrell is great in this film. Too bad its only in the 1st and last reels that make this movie worth watching. It just sort of wandered in the middle. ** out of 4 stars.

Posted by Andy Muirhead (Member # 712) on 11-28-2003, 07:57 PM:

quote:
Too many damn kids at the 5:10 show

I know, it's a disgrace for such an adult orientated movie.

Have only managed to catch half of this so far, but looks great, did great business over the preview weekend.

Is Will Ferrel a big name in the states? I'm only familiar with him from 'Old School'

Posted by Dennis Udovich (Member # 1066) on 11-28-2003, 11:43 PM:

Personally I don't care for Will Ferrel or any SNL gang. You couldn't pay me to go see this. BUT business just keeps coming. Had to keep it in my 3rd and 4th largest auditoriums. Sold out most of the day. It is doing more business than "Cat" or "Haunted Mansion."

Posted by Michael Brown (Member # 890) on 12-06-2003, 06:19 PM:

You can’t disagree that Zooey Deschanel isn't gorgeous though. [Smile]

She sings in the shower.

This movie is gold.