New on Blu-ray Disc: Elf

“Elf”
Directed by Jon Favreau, written by David Berenbaum, 97 minutes, rated PG.
The first few minutes of the funny comedy “Elf,” now out on Blu-ray disc, features a scene in which a dozen of the little darlings dart screaming from a burning tree house reminiscent of the one inhabited by the Keebler elves.

In the real world, nothing is funny about a fire. Still, the way it’s handled here is unexpected and uproarious. Though the scene has nothing to do with the film’s plot, it does help to establish the dark, absurdist tone director Jon Favreau favors early on.

Upon arriving in Manhattan, Buddy takes a day job as a department store elf--and the movie gets a lift, flirting with the sort of comedy David Sedaris captured in his biting, hilarious series, “The Santaland Diaries.” Ultimately, Favreau sidesteps Sedaris’ caus

Mary Steenburgen, Daniel Tay and Zooey Deschanel offer support as Buddy’s loving step mom, lonely half-brother, and love interest, respectively, but they have nothing on Ferrell, who finds himself in a movie that realizes his true gifts as a comedian.
Grade: B
0 comments:
Post a Comment