Didn't know what to expect; got blown away

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2004)

Elf is an absolutely genius comedy that appeals to both adults and kids. Will Ferrell plays the title character with deft precision. It's fair to say no other actor would have been able to pull off this role. If Jimmy Caan (playing the long lost father) and the love interest (Zooey Deschanel) had been the least bit compelling, this might have been one of the five best movies of 2003. I know most would say it's a stretch, but I firmly believe it.