Elf Review

Elf


Release Date: 27th November 2003 - Australia


Production Companies
New Line Cinema (presents)
Guy Walks into a Bar
Productions

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Family/Comedy/

Fantasy

Rating: G

Runtime: 93 minutes


Budget: $33,000,000

Box Office Gross: $229,795,147 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)


Plot Summary
Growing up in the North Pole with Papa Elf ever since he was an orphan baby when he crawled into Santa's sack of presents, Buddy was different from the other elves and soon realises he doesn't quite fit in. So Buddy is determined to

find a place where he

would belong and searches

for his real dad - in New

York City!

While at the Big Apple, Buddy discovers why his dad is on the naughty list! But most importantly, he sees the world as lacking in Christmas spirit, which causes all kinds of problems for Santa! With the help of a beautiful department store elf, Buddy tries to teach his father and the world the true meaning of Christmas and prove to everyone that Santa does exist!

Cast
Will Ferrell - Buddy Hobbs
James Caan - Walter Hobbs
Bob Newhart - Papa Elf
Edward Asner - Santa Claus
Zooey Deschanel - Jovie
Mary Steenburgen - Emily Hobbs
Daniel Tay - Michael Hobbs

Faizon Love - Gimbel's Manager
Peter Dinklage - Miles Finch
Amy Sedaris - Deb
Michael Lerner - Fulton
Andy Richter - Morris
Kyle Gass - Eugene

Artie Lange - Gimbel's Santa
Leon Redbone - Leon the Snowman (Voice)
Ray Harryhausen - Polar Bear Cub (Voice)

Claire Lautier - News Reporter Charlotte Denon

Ted Friend - NY 1 Anchor
Jon Favreau - Doctor

Lydia Lawson-Baird - Carolyn

Brenda McDonald - Nun

Michael Roberds - Disgruntled Cobbler Elf

Richard Side - Elf Teacher

David Avalon - Pom Pom

Kristian Ayre - Foom Foom

Oscar Gonclaves - Francisco

Robin Mossley - Chuck

Matt Walsh - Himself

Mark Acheson - Mailroom Guy

Jane Bradbury - Susan Welles

Peter Billingsley - Ming Ming (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - Jon Favreau
Writer - David Berenbaum

Script Supervisor - Jessica Clothier

Executive Producers - Kent Alterman,

Cale Boyter, Julie Darmody, Toby Emmerich

and Jimmy Miller

Producers - Jon Berg, Todd Komarnicki
and Shauna Robertson
Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager -

David B. Householter
Production Designer - Rusty Smith

Art Director - Kelvin Humenny

Set Decorator - Johanne Hubert

Property Master - Bryan Korenberg
Costume Designer - Laura Jean Shannon

Key Makeup Artist - Victoria Down
Director of Photography - Greg Gardiner

"A" Camera Operator - William Waring

Spacecam Camera Operator: Second Unit -

Hans Bjerno

"B" Camera First Assistant - Doug Lavender

"A" Camera Second Assistant - George Majoros

Location Manager - Ann Goobie

Unit Production Manager - Penny Gibbs

Unit Production Manager: New York - Jonathan Filley

Unit Manager: Second Unit/Second Assistant

Director - Andrew M. Robinson

First Assistant Director - Jim Brebner

Second Second Assistant Director - James Bitonti

Second Assistant Director: New York -

Kristen Bernstein

Second Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Silver Butler

Third Assistant Director - Misha Bukowski

Second Unit Directors - Mickey Gilbert

and Chris Woods

Stunt Coordinator - Scott J. Ateah

Stunt Coordinator: New York - G.A. Aguilar

Special Effects Coordinator - Tony Lazarowich

Special Effects Supervisor: New York - Connie Brink

Visual Effects Supervisor - Joe Bauer

Visual Effects Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -

Bill Westenhofer

Visual Effects Producer - Joseph B. Conmy IV

Animation Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -

Erik De Boer

Stop Motion Animation Producer: Chiodo

Brothers - Edward Chiodo

Stop Motion Animation Supervisor: Chiodo

Brothers - Stephen Chiodo

Stop Motion Animation Character Designer:

Chiodo Brothers - Charles Chiodo

Director of Photography: Chiodo Brothers -

Christopher Warren

Effects Editor: Chiodo Brothers - Christopher Roth

Previsualization Supervisor: Pixel Liberation

Front - Colin Green

Miniature Supervisor: Cinema Production

Services - Michael Joyce

Miniature Producer: Cinema Production

Services - Bob Hurrie

Editor - Dan Lebental

Supervising Sound Editor - John Leveque

Sound Designer - Wade Wilson

Supervising Foley Artist - Lisa Varetakis

Supervising Dialogue/ADR Editor -

Kimberly Ellen Love

Sound Mixer - David Husby

Foley Artists - James Moriana and

Jeffrey Wilhoit

Re-Recording Mixers - Brad Sherman

and Jon Taylor

Music - John Debney

Score Recordist and Mixer - Shawn Murphy


Review
Delightful and heartwarming for a Christmas comedy, I can assure you it's not a tasteless film. ELF is a magnificent showcase of Will Ferrell's comedic chops, and for all the rest, I am not a big fan of his movies. I'm a bit too worried that he might fill in for Jim Carrey's shoes. Ferrell began showcasing his hilarious, energetic talents by playing a character with many childlike qualities instead. He's close to the top of other jam-packed comedians like Carrey and Adam Sandler. No parts of lowbrow humour are included in the film to offend everyone, just clean and tasteful entertainment from director Jon Favreau's breakthrough for the holiday season.

I never would be ready to praise ELF for its yuletide aptitude. Seeing this in the light of Christmas Eve is good-natured family fun. MERRY CHRISTMAS, BLOG VIEWERS!!

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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