Elf
The new Jim Carrey

// The skinny: Buddy has just learned that he is actually a human and not an elf so he goes a quest to find his real father just before Christmas.

// Review: Maybe it's not fair to compare Will Ferrell to Jim Carrey. His comic genius is a style all of his own, but he is the new money man when it comes to loony goofy characters. It's A Wonderful Life and Home Alone's time has passed and this should be the new holiday classic. This is a funny clean movie and nostalgic of the old time Christmas stories right down to the integrated claymation North Pole creatures. Some of Ferrell's best moments are when he plays the naive Crocodile Dundee bumpkin exploring New York City and being thoroughly impressed by the mundane.

/ At moments the film teeters on the edge of over-sentimental "I can't watch" cheesiness, but then Buddy's childlike antics saves us from dry heaving. James Caan is perfect. At all times you feel as if he is barely restraining himself from ripping someone's head off. When he finally has his break through catharsis it's believable and he still retains his Sonny Corleone "You touch my sister again, I'll kill you" edge. It was great to see Jon Farveau making this film. Now he no longer has to start every sentence with "when we were making Swingers..."

// Wrap up: This was the first proof that Will Ferrell has what it takes to carry a movie all by himself. A very enteraining and fun movie that can be enjoyed any time of the year.

Entertainment rating: 3