Delightful, funny, Christmas feel-good movie *poss spoilers*

Rating: Null/10 (12 December 2004)

Seems like most reviewers are anti-Will Ferrell. I don't watch SNL because it is always stupid, so I had no pre-conceived notions when I saw this movie for the first time on the big screen.
I laughed when Ferrell was funny (which he was in this movie regardless of whether he is generally funny in anything else), I felt bad when he felt bad, and I was impressed that he was like an excited child about life. That's what made the movie worth watching. His character was always positive and wanting to make other people's lives better. He was so excited to meet his real father!! When he decorated the store, he was so excited!! Kids can really relate to him. How can anyone say the enthusiasm of his character was not funny or engaging?
His character really was charming, so don't listen to the reviewers who just came on here just to trash Will Ferrell. Sometimes he would be sad because he would not "fit in" and these scenes were very touching. Some of us out there can relate to feeling like they somehow don't "fit in" with the rest of the world.
It's true that the ending of the movie was very sappy and silly, but I could forgive this about it because the rest was so charming. This is a movie for the whole family, which is refreshing in this day and age. Anymore, Christmas movies seem to appeal to American audiences only when they are crude, revolting and degrading (i.e. - "Bad Santa"). This movie was, happily, nothing of the sort. I have never understood why people think that being crude and gross somehow is funny. True humor is thoughtful and uplifts a person's heart, not degrades it.
One of the most delightful surprises is that Ed Asner actually is GREAT as Santa Claus. Had I known he was this character before I saw the movie, I would have thought he was hugely miscast. But, he is a totally charming and warm Santa Claus.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants a good, clean holiday movie that has a thoughtful script and story.