Jon Monsarrat review: Slow, awful, not at all funny

Rating: 4/10 (29 December 2004)

Elf is a throwaway comedy in which it feels like the actors aren't really trying. Every line is flat. The first 20 minutes of the film is in narrative format. Narrative is a crutch for a writer, it's the opposite of "Show, don't tell". There is something really off with the pacing.
And the bits with Bob Newhart looking sad and unenergetic are really boring. How can anyone find that funny? It shocks me deeply. Maybe the film picks up (as Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace did after the first 20 minutes). But I didn't get that far. I like the occasional kids film but this one was awful. For Will Ferrell films, see Anchorman instead.
Who should see Elf:
-- Kids only, and maybe not even kids
I'll give Elf a 4 out of 10 which is the highest rating I'll give a film I couldn't sit through all the way.