“Elf” is almost a perfect Christmas movie.
It tells the story of Buddy the Elf, played wonderfully by Will Ferrell, who was a normal person raised as an elf for his entire life before going to New York City to find his biological father.
On his visit, he finds a new family, meets a girl and manages to save Christmas. Those story beats seem familiar and that works perfectly for the movie.
Sure it’s composed of many tropes, but why should that make it an awful movie? “Elf” also excels with a script that included instantly memorable characters and repeatable quotes, like “Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad.” and “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color.” While some of its humor is corny at times, it only makes it more memorable.
It’s a Christmas movie, they’re all like that. And it only helps make “Elf” that much more excellent.