Corny, but what holiday movie isn't?

Rating: Null/10 (8 November 2003)

So I saw Elf opening day in a crowded theater (and when I saw crowded, I mean people standing at the sides crowded). And I'd have to say that Elf was everything I had expected it to be, but with a little extra.
*WARNING:A FEW SPOILERS*
It followed the basic guidelines of every good-and corny-holiday movie. The over worked parent, the attention deprived kid, and the unexpected visitor that seemed to show up right at the nick of time, were all included. And everyone would have seen it as another feel good Christmas fantasy designed specifically to get you in the "Christmas spirit", if it hadn't been for Will Farrel.
The corny lines, the unrealistic circumstances, and the overly fantasized Santa sightings all made their appearance in this movie, but the absolutely hysterical character Buddy the Elf made the numerous "did he actually say that?" lines more than worth it. While most of the other characters didn't exactly make you want to stand up and clap, Will Farrel certainly made tears form in your eyes, but not because you were unhappy. I personally came out of the theater still giggling under my breath with the image of Buddy running head long into the Christmas tree in attempt to get the star on the top fresh in my mind.
Still, most (if not all) of the funny parts were already shown in the trailer, so the best part was just waiting for them to happen. I found myself nudging the person next to me when I recognized the part coming up. Although I had seen it time and time again, the atmosphere of the entire theater doubled over laughing made it almost three times funnier than it had been on a computer screen.
The bottom line: It had the ho-hum and predictable plot with the corny lines, but the abnormally tall elf/man with the wierd felt hat and the pointy shoes made you want to stand up and say "Bravo!"