Elf 2003

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: Short and sweet. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Worth seeing, for one simple reason: Will Ferrell. Read more

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: The one thing we know is that Will Ferrell will take any chance possible to get a laugh in a movie and it works well here. Read more

Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune: Formulaic but lovable. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: Making this pay off without winking at the audience is a difficult task, and 'Elf' doesn't always feel all of a piece. But in 'Saturday Night Live' alumnus and star Will Ferrell, the film has a guide who steers it unerringly over the bumpy patches. Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: An enjoyably goofy yuletide tale of a towering innocent with a serious sugar addiction. Read more

Megan Lehmann, New York Post: A pleasantly old-fashioned, gee-whillikers Yuletide confection rescued from Schmaltz-ville by the subversive comic talents of Will Ferrell. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: Thanks to Ferrell, it's a tolerably sweet holiday treat. Read more

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: It's the sort of holiday treat even a Grinch would love. Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: The cast wrings laughs out of David Berenbaum's script as if it were a damp washcloth, but even they have trouble selling frenetic button-pushing as the Christmas spirit. Read more

Christy Lemire, Associated Press: Sure, Elf feels a little too feel-good at the end, but what do you expect? It's a Christmas movie! Anything else would be the cinematic equivalent of finding coal in your stocking. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: The movie sets Ferrell's assaultive and juvenile physical comedy in a less-combative playground, and the result might leave the Ferrell-intolerant exiting the theater on a high. Read more

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: The film soon bogs down in fake hugs and a fakier climax involving Santa (Ed Asner) and his downed sled. Read more

Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle: As an original family film for the holidays, it's fresh, timely and quite funny. Read more

Michael Booth, Denver Post: Leaves a sour taste in the mouth and a Grinch-like resolve to sue the manufacturer. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: A disarmingly funny holiday comedy. Read more

Nancy Churnin, Dallas Morning News: The first charming present of the holiday movie season. Read more

Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly: The movie allows Favreau to gently tweak cutesy Mouse House production values without abandoning the concept, and it proves a splendid sandbox for his talents as director, actor and (who knew?) cartoonist. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: It is very smart, consistently very funny and, like the elevator ridden by our awestruck title character -- who wants to stop at every floor -- if you've got buttons to push, this movie will push 'em. Read more

David Ansen, Newsweek: 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. Read more

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine/Vulture: I love watching Ferrell do his gangly, clueless shtick, and even here, there's something inherently funny about just seeing him in a big, green elf suit. There's something inherently funny about Ferrell -- period. Read more

Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger: A resounding success in the laugh department, but it tries to warm hearts as well, and eventually collapses under the weight of its own sugarplum schmaltz. Read more

Jami Bernard, New York Daily News: It wiped away the Scrooge in me for 90 enchanting minutes. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: A charming, silly family Christmas movie more likely to spread real joy than migraine, indigestion and sugar shock. Read more

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel: It's Ferrell's untethered turn as Buddy that makes Elf sparkle. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: A feather-light motion picture that embraces the Christmas spirit, but, in the process, forgets that it's trying to be a comedy. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: 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. Read more

Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: Even though [Ferrell] can't get naked or use naughty words, there's a devil of comedy in Ferrell, and he lets it out to play. Read more

Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com: A movie made by people who really have their thinking caps on. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Funny and intelligently made, a film for kids and adults that's both sweet and sardonic. Read more

Michael Agger, Slate: It's irony-free fun for the whole family. Read more

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Ferrell has found the ideal starring vehicle -- and it turns out to be Santa's sleigh. Read more

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: Say hello, kiddies, to the first big-hearted flick of the season. Time's up, so say goodbye and, be polite now, try to hide your mild disappointment. Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: Ferrell's stone-stupid sincerity keeps the action moving and irresistible, despite its familiarity. Read more

Trevor Johnston, Time Out: Some humour might sail over the heads of the very young, but there's a higher chuckle rate for the grown-ups than much dread 'family' fare. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: Its message is unobjectionable, and there are a few laughs to be had, but too much of Elf is like Buddy's favorite meals: syrupy sweet. Read more

David Rooney, Variety: The sweet-natured outsider fantasy neither skimps on nor overplays its sentimentality. Read more

Ed Park, Village Voice: [A] wan Christmas concoction. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Ferrell provides just enough humor to get us through the familiar fare and enjoy the ride. Read more

Stephen Hunter, Washington Post: It's a clumsy, tedious ride that wears out its welcome as it wears out the seat of your pants and the circulation in your lower limbs. Read more