Hey folks, Harry here... I can always tell an AICN Geek straight away when I see one. First off, as they approach me, there's this look in their eye. First, I believe they're thinking, "My knife isn't long enough to reach his black heart!" then there's the strange thought... "He's a 20 footer... 25, 3 tons of em," then there's "I wonder what he feels like, does he 'hoo hoo' like the Pillsbury dude?" and then they realize, they've been standing there staring at me. This fella went into confessing his soul being the sole-property of a University of Texas Fraternity. My understanding is Fish's souls put more fizz in the kegs. Then, when they've been used to strain any nutritious value of beer from the alcohol for a semester, these souls are put back into the fish, who now must constantly drown their intoxicated souls to reach spiritual absolution. At least, I think that's what he said. Anyway, here he is with his first review on AICN of ELF... a truly hilarious movie.
Dearest Harry, the other night I achieved one of my life long goals in life. No I did not win an Academy Award for Best Picture, Screenplay, and Direction nor did I bang Halle Berry..... I met you. Yes, it is I, that young annoying freshman RTF student with whom you chatted at the Elf screening at the Gateway Theater in Austin (i.e the greatest city in the world). Before I begin my review I must thank you for being so friendly to such a mere peon as I. I'm sure you get thousands of approaches daily (mostly by sexually frustrated youthful females), and I truly do appreciate you taking some time and talking to me. So anyways, I must proceed to the reason in which I am writing this article. ELF ELF ELF!!!!!!!!!!!.
Let me begin by saying that this film is truly a winner. It seems as though Jon Favreau and Will "I'm the funniest person alive" Ferrell took careful time and vast amounts of creativity in making this movie much more than a one joke film. I can honestly say that this is the funniest PG movie I have ever seen, and I think it has such universal appeal that it will easily make Will Ferrell the huge star that he so deserves to be. There are certain gags in this movie that are played out so well. I literally pissed myself when Ferrell taunted the mall Santa, and the break dancing/disco scene in the mail room had me holding my sides.
However, the sheer humor is only half of what makes this film such a winner. The other half is the heart and emotion the film makers and actors have put into the movie. There are certain moments where you can't help but have a huge smile on your face, and the film truly does radiate with a certain innocence and sheer exuberance with which I think both kids and adults can identify. I know previous a review stated this but I can't help but beat a dead horse. THIS FILM WILL BE A CLASSIC. Welcome to the elite Mr. Favreau, there is no one who has rooted more for you than I. And Will Ferrell, well what more can I say except that he will soon become the biggest star in comedy. After this movie becomes huge (which I know it will) studios will be knocking down Will's door (more so than they are doing now) and beg, plead, or pay unbelievable amounts of money (probably the latter) for him to headline their movies. I realize this might be a wee bit extreme for a mere "children's movie" but Elf reinforced for me why I want to make films: To entertain, to humor, to put a smile on a face, to provide escape, to connect.
So in closing, I beg all of you to see Elf. Take your children, your wife, your girlfriend, your grandparents, your friends, your enemies, and your pets to see Elf because you most likely will not find such a universally good time at the theater for a very long time.
Sincerely,
B to the Jax
