Elf
New Line Cinema | Release Date: November 7, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
66
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Critic Reviews
Positive:
29
Mixed:
8
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
It's a terrific movie, smart and funny enough to hold up at any time of year. Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
The disarming comedic tone -- silly and novel in its lack of cynicism -- is driven by the fearless, cheerful unself-consciousness of Will Ferrell, a big man last seen streaking (all too unself-consciously) through ''Old School.'' Read full review
80
NewsweekDavid Ansen
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 full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
Directed by Jon Favreau from a script by David Berenbaum, Elf returns to the hip but warm-hearted spirit of "Swingers," which Favreau both wrote and starred in. It brings sophisticated glee and a sense of innocent fun to what could have been a moribund traditional family film. Read full review
80
SalonStephanie Zacharek
How many human beings among us are capable of making a comedy with wit and intelligence that also takes bold pleasure in unabashed silliness? I think this is what happens when you let an elf loose with a movie camera. Read full review
80
The GuardianPeter Bradshaw
The film’s old-fashioned charm and sweet-natured Yuletide spirit has held up, although it interestingly seems attractive now more for these softer-edged qualities than for the straight-ahead SNL-type Will Ferrell comedy that it seemed to promise back in 2003. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
While the words "instant holiday classic" might be pushing it, Elf is at the very least a breezily entertaining, perfectly cast family treat. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
A movie that’s so profoundly ridiculous that it has to be admired, if for no other reason other than its sheer willingness to run with its premise and take it to the end of the line. Read full review
75
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
Will Ferrell strides through Elf like a crazily cheerful wind-up toy: arms swinging, legs stiff, mouth fixed in an impossibly happy grin, eyes wide with wonder. He's the Christmas gift nobody thought to ask for but everybody will want to play with. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerSteven Rea
Pays homage to a sack of Christmas movies, from the department store Claus of "Miracle on 34th Street" to a standing-on-the-bridge-contemplating-suicide moment, a la "It's a Wonderful Life." Read full review
75
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
The real gift of Elf is the simple pleasure of a sweet and funny comedy that genuinely embraces its message of holiday cheer and still has fun goofing with it. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
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. Even the unexpected casting is on the money. Read full review
75
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
A non-sappy and genuinely adorable confection. It wiped away the Scrooge in me for 90 enchanting minutes. Read full review
75
New York PostMegan Lehmann
Ferrell's manic, overgrown-kid energy sweeps all before it, announcing him - after his standout turn in "Old School" - as a major leading-man talent who can charm as well as amuse. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Funny and intelligently made, a film for kids and adults that's both sweet and sardonic...Elf stays perfectly in balance, a pleasure throughout. Read full review
75
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Elf tries so hard to be a holiday classic, to be a sweet-natured, charming little piece of holiday gloss, it's tempting to declare it so and simply go with it. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
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 full review
75
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
Elf, formulaic but lovable, is essentially "Big" in pointy shoes. Read full review
70
Dallas ObserverRobert Wilonsky
Elf may be no more than a pleasant, amusing trifle, a grin that fades well before Thanksgiving, but it also will endure in the way all decent Hollywood-made Christmas fairy tales last if they're rendered with good cheer and good will. Read full review
70
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
Charmingly irreverent. Read full review
70
The New York TimesDana Stevens
A charming, silly family Christmas movie more likely to spread real joy than migraine, indigestion and sugar shock. The movie succeeds because it at once restrains its sticky, gooey good cheer and wildly overdoes it. Read full review
70
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Ferrell provides just enough humor to get us through the familiar fare and enjoy the ride. Read full review
70
TV Guide MagazineAngel Cohn
Director Jon Favreau keeps the guy-in-an-elf-suit act from degenerating into a too-long sketch, focusing on Buddy's naïve optimism, even in the face of harsh reality. Read full review
70
SlateMichael Agger
The music is chirpy and borderline annoying. But once you rearrange your expectations and give yourself over to the movie's unfailing earnestness, you realize that Favreau and Ferrell do heartwarming fairly well. Read full review
70
Film ThreatKevin Carr
If you’re not a fan of Will Ferrell, you ain't gonna like this film. But if you think he's funny and you don't mind a sappy ending, this is a decent holiday flick. Read full review
70
VarietyDavid Rooney
Will Ferrell graduates to his first solo leading role with flying colors in Elf, a disarming holiday comedy about a clueless innocent who saves Christmas and fosters a renewed sense of family in his reluctant father. Read full review
63
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
More likely to end up on the snow pile of forgettable Christmas-themed movies than in the vault of memorable ones. Read full review
63
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
There are precious few moments in Elf when Ferrell doesn't manage to at least get a smile out of you. Considering how cloying the movie might have turned out without him, that's a huge gift all its own. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick Groen
Elf is jolly but could have been jollier, funny but could have been funnier, charming but ... well, point made. Read full review
60
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
The cast wrings laughs out of David Berenbaum's script as if it were a damp washcloth.
60
Film ThreatRick Kisonak
While the picture doesn't rise to the level of instant holiday classic, younger members of the audience are guaranteed to get a Christmas kick out of it. If disappointment awaits, it awaits Ferrell's older fans. Read full review
60
EmpireAnna Smith
The gags swing between mildly inventive and screamingly obvious, but even the latter are performed and timed well enough to draw a laugh. Read full review
58
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
If you're one of those fussy filmgoers who demands that a movie engage somewhat higher body parts -- the heart, say, and the brain -- you'll find only intermittent comfort and joy in this high-concept, low-wattage film. Read full review
50
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Ferrell makes the damn thing work. Even though he can't get naked or use naughty words, there's a devil of comedy in Ferrell, and he lets it out to play. Director Jon Favreau has the good sense to just stand out of his way. Read full review
50
USA TodayClaudia 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 full review
50
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
The film is soon bogged down by fake hugs and a faker climax. Read full review
40
Village VoiceEd Park
Works best as a rapid-fire series of sight gags and absurd remarks. Read full review
30
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
I was looking forward to something a tad more satirical than this Hallmark card of a movie, which plugs innocence and goodness like they’re going out of style. Read full review
30
Washington PostStephen Hunter
The first and possibly the last Will Ferrell star vehicle. 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 full review
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