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Elf (2003) Rank 2 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Movie critics combined give Elf (2003) a score of 2.9556 out of 4
based on (300) reviews
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Excellent
4
Excellent
(73)
Very Good
3
Very Good
(167)
Good
2
Good
(55)
Fair
1
Fair
(5)
Poor
0
Poor
(0)
Reviews by Score:
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.49 out of 4 stars for Blunt Review with Emily BluntBlunt Review with Emily Blunt
If you and yours see one film after your feast of pheasants make it this incredibly precious, delightfully sweet instant holiday classic Elf . Story goes...Buddy (Will Ferrell) was adopted as wee human into the world of elves. He's accepted by the ...read the complete Elf movie review at Blunt Review with Emily Blunt
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.42 out of 4 stars for stylusmagazine.com (Kevin Worrall)stylusmagazine.com (Kevin Worrall)
During a Christmas Eve visit to a New York orphanage, a bouncing baby boy with monogrammed diapers (Little Buddy’s) climbs into Santa’s magic bag in search of a mesmerizing teddy bear. Father Christmas does not take notice of his excess luggage until ...read the complete Elf movie review at stylusmagazine.com (Kevin Worrall)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)
A delightful Christmas fable filled with candy-coated laughs for the whole family. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Las Vegas Weekly (Josh Bell)Las Vegas Weekly (Josh Bell)
One of the better Christmas films to come along in a while, proving that a smart director and capable actors can turn a rote story into a welcome gift. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Las Vegas Weekly (Josh Bell)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Jam! Movies (Liz Braun)Jam! Movies (Liz Braun)
It's hilarious. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Jam! Movies (Liz Braun)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for ShowBIZ Data (--)ShowBIZ Data (--)
Critics are going out of their way to assure moviegoers that Elf is a whole lot better than it would seem from the promos and ads. Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times remarks that he had expected to see a "clunky, stupid and obvious" holiday film and ...read the complete Elf movie review at ShowBIZ Data (--)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
Ferrell, God love him, just keeps up that industrial-strength happy face, enthusing like a lunatic until the idiotic Buddy becomes the de facto top dog of every scene. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for New York Times (A.O. Scott)New York Times (A.O. Scott)
A charming, silly family Christmas movie more likely to spread real joy than migraine, indigestion and sugar shock. ...read the complete Elf movie review at New York Times (A.O. Scott)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Movie Marshal (Paul Boschen)Movie Marshal (Paul Boschen)
...read the complete Elf movie review at Movie Marshal (Paul Boschen)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Providence Journal (Michael Janusonis)Providence Journal (Michael Janusonis)
In the fish-out-of-water fantasy Elf, Saturday Night Live alumnus Will Ferrell plays a human who goes looking for his real father after a lifetime of building toys in Santa's North Pole Workshop alongside tiny elves. The big-framed Ferrell stuffed ...read the complete Elf movie review at Providence Journal (Michael Janusonis)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for CinemaSpeak.com (Dan Tester)CinemaSpeak.com (Dan Tester)
It must be the first week of November, because Christmas is in the air. Merry Christmas to you and yours! It was most definitely in the air at the mall, as excited shoppers hustled and bustled among gawdy holiday decorations and the smooth sound of Dean ...read the complete Elf movie review at CinemaSpeak.com (Dan Tester)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Empire Magazine (--)Empire Magazine (--)
An uncanny gift for physical comedy helps Will Ferrell propel this festive family movie along, even though it's barely more than a string of sketches held together by a conventional plot. His giant-among-elves character first amuses with his mere ...read the complete Elf movie review at Empire Magazine (--)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
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 the complete Elf movie review at Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Luciana Morelli)CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Luciana Morelli)
E' sottile il filo che lega il mondo reale con il mondo delle favole in questa divertente e assurda storia e sono le piccole invenzioni e la genialità di alcune divertenti trovate dello sceneggiatore a rendere interessante e divertente per grandi e ...read the complete Elf movie review at CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Luciana Morelli)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.39 out of 4 stars for Plugged InPlugged In
Three decades ago on one of his Christmas Eve stops at a Catholic orphanage, Santa accidentally acquired one of its infant residents when a baby crawled into his toy sack. Upon realizing the slip-up back at the North Pole, Santa and the elves unanimously ...read the complete Elf movie review at Plugged In
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.33 out of 4 stars for cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)
Ferrell ha tenido hasta el momento una carrera algo irregular. Son innegables sus precisos instintos humorísticos, y su excelente ritmo, pero su selección de proyectos ha sido desafortunada. Él ha resultado ser lo mejor de películas como "Old ...read the complete Elf movie review at cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for Washington Post (Desson Thomson)Washington Post (Desson Thomson)
Ferrell provides just enough humor to get us through the familiar fare and enjoy the ride. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Washington Post (Desson Thomson)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for Apollo Guide (Brian Webster)Apollo Guide (Brian Webster)
James Caan plays a crestfallen publishing executive who learns that he fathered a child some 30-years earlier, and that child happens to be Buddy (Ferrell) a good natured doofus of major proportions. And an elf. Sort of. Buddy arrived at the North Pole ...read the complete Elf movie review at Apollo Guide (Brian Webster)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.21 out of 4 stars for Xi-online (Hanna Bervoets)Xi-online (Hanna Bervoets)
De film Elf gaat niet over een voetbalteam of gevleugelde blondine, al doet de titel dit wellicht vermoeden. Dat deze titel hier niet meteen een kerstbelletje doet rinkelen, is echter niet zo vreemd. Het fenomeen 'elf' lijkt namelijk te zijn bedacht door ...read the complete Elf movie review at Xi-online (Hanna Bervoets)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.16 out of 4 stars for Boxoffice MagazineBoxoffice Magazine
"Elf" is New Line's Christmas gift for the ages--timeless, touching and hilarious beyond all description. At a time when most so-called "holiday" films amount to little more than ribbons and bows on empty boxes, "Elf" is the real deal, all but ...read the complete Elf movie review at Boxoffice Magazine
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.11 out of 4 stars for Pop Entertainment.com Pop Entertainment.com
Okay, I have to fess up. I went into Elf expecting it to stink. Now this kind of thing is pretty rare. As a reviewer, I try very hard not to go into a film with any preconceptions. But, I've never found Will Ferrell particularly funny and the ...read the complete Elf movie review at Pop Entertainment.com
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
Elf's appeal hinges largely on your feelings towards Will Ferrell, the aging Saturday Night Live alumnus cavorting on the movie's poster. If the thought of him banging his head on walls, wandering through Manhattan in yellow tights, and trying to teach ...read the complete Elf movie review at Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)
Buddy the elf, like high school killers Eric and Alex, feels that he doesn’t fit in. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
If we were ready to crown Ferrell a comedy king, we might want to reschedule the coronation. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
Short and sweet. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
Thanks to Ferrell, it's a tolerably sweet holiday treat. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)
It's a close call for a while, but at the last moment the movie finally soars. ...read the complete Elf movie review at San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Sue Pierman)Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Sue Pierman)
Elf is by far the best effort by an SNL alum in many years. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Sue Pierman)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Worth seeing, for one simple reason: Will Ferrell. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
Elf is disgustingly sweet, sugar-filled and atrocious. By its end, we feel as though we’ve consumed a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts and are about to dive into another box. The first forty five minutes are enjoyable, but after that, the material becomes ...read the complete Elf movie review at Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Xiibaro Productions (David Perry)Xiibaro Productions (David Perry)
In a Saturday Night Live parody of one of VH1’s Behind the Music specials, Will Farrell plays the cowbell in 1970s rock band Blue Öyster Cult, famed for their “Don’t Fear the Reaper” and its incessant cowbell. Christopher Walken tells him he ...read the complete Elf movie review at Xiibaro Productions (David Perry)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
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 the complete Elf movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Even a PG rating can't constrict Ferrell: He's an early Xmas treat it's a family-friendly comedy about a human baby who crawls into Santa's sleigh and winds up being raised by elves. Will Ferrell plays the grown-up doofus who must travel from the North ...read the complete Elf movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for National Post (Chris Knight)National Post (Chris Knight)
A charming little film about trying to fit in, and kids (not to mention most adults) will relate to feeling clumsy and out-of-place, as well as the desire to be loved for who we are and to have our talents recognized. ...read the complete Elf movie review at National Post (Chris Knight)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for The (Georgetown) Hoya The (Georgetown) Hoya
As this year’s requisite feel-good Christmas film, Elf has all the cheesy trimmings one would expect from seasonal family fare. In the effort to save the movie from becoming just another forgettable cliché, Will Ferrell straps on his pointy elf shoes ...read the complete Elf movie review at The (Georgetown) Hoya
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Hollywood.comHollywood.com
A combination of classic Christmas tales, Elf is the story of Buddy, an orphaned baby who crawls into Santa's toy bag and ends up being raised by elves as one of their own in the North Pole. But years later, at 6 feet 3 inches tall, this eccentric ...read the complete Elf movie review at Hollywood.com
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for SF, Horror and Fantasy Film ReviewSF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
Elf is one of the Christmas-themed family films that the studios seem to think it is their duty to put out every couple of years. The oddity about Elf is the people behind it - New Line Cinema, who are not exactly known for their family fare, while it is ...read the complete Elf movie review at SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for The Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)The Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)
...read the complete Elf movie review at The Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for USA Today (Claudia Puig)USA Today (Claudia Puig)
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 the complete Elf movie review at USA Today (Claudia Puig)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
Two films opening this week -- Elf and Love Actually -- bear a distinct Christmas theme, despite the fact that Thanksgiving is still three weeks away. I know it's a crowded marketplace out there, but for the love of all things holy, could you at least ...read the complete Elf movie review at Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Zertinet Movies ReviewZertinet Movies Review
“Elf” is the true test of Will Ferrell’s career. Best known for his work on “Saturday Night Live” and recently for his side part in the mediocre comedy, “Old School” (although Ferrell was the only successful aspect of that weak production), ...read the complete Elf movie review at Zertinet Movies Review
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Poffy The Cucumber's Movie ManiaPoffy The Cucumber's Movie Mania
In Elf, Ferrell is Buddy, a normal-sized human raised by Santa's elves (hence, thinks himself an elf), who is sent out into the world ostensibly to find his real daddy, but in reality to get his clumsy, over-sized bollocks out of the tiny toy factory. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Poffy The Cucumber's Movie Mania
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
Offensive instances of product placement put the lie to the idea that 'Elf' is more interested in promoting Christmas cheer than in collecting Christmas coin... ...read the complete Elf movie review at Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Slant MagazineSlant Magazine
ohn Favreau's Elf tells the story of an orphaned tot who accidentally crawls into Santa's gift bag and ends up at the North Pole. It's there that he's raised by Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) and discovers way past his adolescent prime that a crusty ...read the complete Elf movie review at Slant Magazine
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)
Will Ferrell is the heir apparent to Chevy Chase, with his dry, deadpan delivery of the most absurd of jokes. It works particularly well in Elf because his truly naive character is not even in on the joke. So why doesn’t Elf work better? Too much ...read the complete Elf movie review at Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Even a PG rating can't constrict Ferrell: He's an early Xmas treat it's a family-friendly comedy about a human baby who crawls into Santa's sleigh and winds up being raised by elves. Will Ferrell plays the grown-up doofus who must travel from the ...read the complete Elf movie review at Rolling Stone
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
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 the complete Elf movie review at Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for EDGE Boston (David Foucher)EDGE Boston (David Foucher)
There's not an ounce of meat in this Christmas ham - it's just the usual hollow holiday hype from Hollywood. ...read the complete Elf movie review at EDGE Boston (David Foucher)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Phoebe Flowers)South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Phoebe Flowers)
Ferrell handily carries the movie. ...read the complete Elf movie review at South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Phoebe Flowers)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Film Freak Central (Walter Chaw)Film Freak Central (Walter Chaw)
Curiously flaccid. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Film Freak Central (Walter Chaw)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Elf isn't a pre-fabricated piece of synthetic Christmas cheer like The Santa Clause or Gov. Schwarzenegger's disastrous Jingle All the Way . ...read the complete Elf movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Village Voice (Ed Park)Village Voice (Ed Park)
Works best as a rapid-fire series of sight gags and absurd remarks. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Village Voice (Ed Park)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)
A Saturday Night Live skit that goes on too long, a one-joke movie that's funny for a while but wears out its welcome. ...read the complete Elf movie review at Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for DVDTalk.com (Geoffrey Kleinman)DVDTalk.com (Geoffrey Kleinman)
It's very difficult to recommend Elf ...read the complete Elf movie review at DVDTalk.com (Geoffrey Kleinman)
Elf (2003) scores a combined 1.56 out of 4 stars for MovieMaze (Daniel Licha)MovieMaze (Daniel Licha)
Wenn Regisseur Jon Favreau eine vor Klischees nur so triefende und routiniert runtergeleierte Weihnachtskomödie inszenieren wollte, dann ist ihm das leider gelungen. Auf frische Ideen wartet man vergeblich und wenn überhaupt: Ãśberzeugen kann nur Will ...read the complete Elf movie review at MovieMaze (Daniel Licha)
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3.00
How do you spread christmas cheer?
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by tiffany on January 23, 2009 Ogden, Utah
There is just nothing better then a good Will Ferrel movie. I'm sure there are plenty who will agree. And when you take that and add an elf costume, and words like 'cotton-headed ninny muggins', you have the makings of a very silly, very ...
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Movie Reviews: Christmas
Elf (2003) Reviews
Elf (2003)

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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Overall Rating:
3.0004
Elf (2003) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
Avg Critic Score:
2.9556
Elf (2003) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
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