Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.
Score: 3.4
85%
"A movie full of Yuletide cheer, Elf is a spirited, good-natured family comedy, and it benefits greatly
from Will Ferrell's funny and charming performance as one of Santa's biggest helpers."
ROTTEN TOMATOES
"Ferrell is a hoot. So is much of this witty holiday family entertainment, which, up until the end,
when the "true spirit of Christmas" must be reaffirmed, happily favors slapstick over treacle."
NEWSWEEK
"Peppy holiday favorite for both kids and parents."
COMMON SENSE MEDIA
"This is one of those rare Christmas comedies that has a heart, a brain and a
wicked sense of humor, and it charms the socks right off the mantelpiece."
ROGER EBERT