Elf - Nostalgia Critic

[@ChannelAwesome]

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[@bradywells6447]

Review Gremlins Also the Santa Clause staring Tim Allen.

[@air03man]

By the power of CHRISTMAS! I have CHRISTMAS POWER! HO/HO/HO!

[@annigram]

December or something

[@jerricablackcat4303]

For this year's transformation I was expecting He-man. Holding a loft a giant candy can and saying "By the Power of Christmas!" Then the candy cane turns out to be Santa Christ's staff, so he walks over and snatches it back.

[@dillontrainvids25]

I miss Doug’s over the top reactions to Christmas. Seriously. These reviews don’t mean as much without his enthusiasm

[@georgerush4787]

My only criticism is when you said that him yelling over his dad being in the naughty list is not how a kid would act. You have to remember he was raised in the north pole as an elf, where being in the naughty list is probably one of the worst things that can ever happen to you. So his reaction is probably accurate.

[@kirbysuperstar5494]

yeah to an elf that's probably the same thing as discovering that a relative is a wanted serial killer

[@left4twenty]

I think a reaction of sad/despair and incredulity would be more appropriate. If you told a child their father is a serial killer, they would most likely react with denial, and then move to despair or anger that you would make such a lie

[@johnnysparkle]

Creative Differences: Will Ferrell and Jon Favreau had frequent disagreements about the tone of this film. Ferrell and his frequent collaborator Adam McKay, both of whom did uncredited rewrites, wanted a more cynical PG-13 comedy but Favreau wanted something more lighthearted and family-friendly. Ferrell's feeling that he and Favreau didn't work well together is why the proposed sequel never happened, despite this film being a huge hit.

[@MazeDaGr8]

Well that explains a lot

[@joevictor53]

I feel like Favreau was right

[@lutherheggs451]

And now because of Ferrell's ego, Adam McKay and him have nothing to do with each other, both say their friendship is over and Ferrell makes god awful movies like Holmes and Watson. But then again Ferrell's last decent movie was Talladega Nights and everything since has gotten progressively worse...Meanwhile McKay has actually gone on to do things without dead weight Ferrell that have been critically praised.

[@chasehedges6775]

Hard to believe that this was going on behind the scenes

[@jadedheartsz]

@@lutherheggs451 Ferrell still makes some good films IMO.

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

Fun Fact: Before making the film, Jon Favreau would observe his 1-year-old son, Max, to get ideas for what Buddy might do. As Favreau notes, Max was his barometer for how believable Buddy's antics were. Favreau also mentions when he feels Buddy knows he's doing bad or believes he's doing good, which makes a fun, little game throughout the film.

[@rorysainsbury6816]

That explains a lot

[@kendrickdinger]

Max was also baby Buddy in the movie!

[@AdamAtYourService]

My wife's theory on Jovie is that she recently went through a REALLY bad break up, so Buddy, despite being a literal man-child but also a genuinely friendly guy, ended up being a comfort rebound that ended up sticking. Because otherwise, how the hell would a normal woman find Buddy attractive?

[@mrcritical6751]

That makes sense

[@GlitchyHalo]

Also going through shit if she isn’t getting paid enough to result in her water shutting off and eating ramen

[@monsterhanna6691]

​@erosion271 Why do they need to? Maybe she just lost the Christmas spirit or how to have fun and Buddy helped her with that. I'm exactly like Buddy, so I would love to at least be friends with him.

[@DarkEclipse23]

@erosion271with an attitude like yours I don’t logically see a reason why literally anyone would like you let alone want to BE with you.

[@benm5970]

Plus when I hear her say things like “They shut my water off” or you see her sitting alone at her house near the end of the movie she gives me the vibes of a poor single woman that doesn’t really have much right now and probably lives in a cheap, crappy apartment

[@Applemangh]

Forgiving Buddy for the shower scene isn't too far fetched. For one, he wasn't watching her; he was facing away and as soon as he realized she was naked, he covered his eyes and ran as fast as he could. Clearly, he wasn't TRYING to see anything.

[@grizzly_manbanimation8436]

I’m glad someone understands it. I’m sure people misrepresent the scene all the freaking time. Nostalgia critic is just one of them. He saying he’s watching her shower, which is not at all. True, he’s listening to her sing. You are right as soon as he realized what was going on, and that she was naked, he hightailed it out of there, covering his eyes. I don’t understand why people tend to forget that Buddy grew up far far away from human civilization, and is not aware of many do’s and don’t’s. I mean, they understand it with watching the rest of the movie but for this one scene it’s problematic because there’s a woman showering with a man nearby.

[@monsterhanna6691]

Also, he only went in there cause he heard her singing, and a Christmas song no less. How the heck is that creepy?

[@monsterhanna6691]

​@@grizzly_manbanimation8436 Exactly! It's just stupid.

[@DarkEclipse23]

@@monsterhanna6691because they’re hardcore extreme liberals.

[@g-dog_eswshockwave]

Thank you! I’m glad some people get it.

[@jordancampbell8597]

One thing I liked about the Imposter Santa is that he's legitimately trying to do a good job. He's personable with the kids, asks questions, has a decent voice--he's definitely trying harder than most Mall Santa characters do.

[@mrcritical6751]

Hell he even tries to humour Buddy at first

[@jordancampbell8597]

@@mrcritical6751 "Happy Birthday, of course!" Don't forget his little wave. It seems to hint that he thought Buddy was part of the act.

[@alman54]

@@jordancampbell8597 Buddy's reaction to the "Happy birthday, of course!" STILL cracks me up.

[@jordancampbell8597]

@@alman54 And he gave it in the Santa Voice--of course the elves would sing "Happy Birthday!" It's a genuinely engaging bit role--this isn't some washed-up scrub who couldn't get any other job. This is a guy who's probably down on his luck, but he's still giving it all he can, because the kids are what matters .

[@rckblzr]

Part of me wishes we got to see Buddy go at it with the Billy Bob Thornton mall Santa.

[@zanderblankenship3849]

Personally, as a kid who was diagnosed with ADHD, the parts where Buddy is running around and screaming are just as believable as his other moments to me.

[@northchurch753]

Same for the same reason

[@Shinyprofjareth]

Same here

[@Taikofan04]

I’m autistic and I too run around and scream as it happens lol

[@ohemdoublegee]

@@Taikofan04 as one does as one does

[@ricardoandresgarciayodice8808]

@@Taikofan04 so am I

[@DrAwe-fi6we]

I actually think Buddy screaming over-the-top upon hearing his father is on the naughty list is perfectly reasonable in the context of the movie. In Elf culture that's probably the equivalent of learning a relative had a criminal record.

[@jeremyusreevu237]

Agreed. I do agree that Ferrell is kind of over-selling it, but that is a fairly reasonable reaction.

[@ddjsoyenby]

yeah, to him that is the worst thing that can happen to a person and this is someone he has a percieved connection too.

[@rorysainsbury6816]

What I was thinking as well

[@monsterhanna6691]

Yeah, I thought it seemed just right for Buddy, too. 😂

[@Whimsy3692]

A dramatic gasp would get the point across just as much. My ears don't have to suffer for it.

[@pastorneil9125]

So, my thoughts: 1) Zooey Deschanal is gorgeous. You don't like those eyes, but I totally was crushing on her when I watched it. 2) Why she connects to Buddy...When we meet her, she is a person who is completely burdened by the fact that her life isn't what she'd like it to be. First time he meets her, "Do you like the view?" To find out he actually was admiring the decorating. She can sense a certain innocence about him. His overwhelming level of happiness/joy is completely unique from anyone you see in the entire movie. My guess is that is what makes him attractive to her. This perceived innocence is also probably why she was quick to forgive him. It is quite possible that she actually believes him when he says he only entered the locker room to hear her sing.

[@fugithegreat]

That scene in the doctor's office is 100% adhd kid behavior and Ferrell nails it. I love how understated Caan's reactions are as he's trying desperately to remain patient, because if he started screaming on Buddy's level, it would have just been too much.

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

Another Interesting Fact from this film is: On the final day of shooting in New York City, it was just director Jon Favreau, Will Ferrell, and a camera man driving around the city looking for locations to shoot. They would jump out and ask pedestrians if they would be willing to be extras for some quick cash, while Ferrell paraded around acting like Buddy. Much of the montage when Buddy first arrives in New York City was filmed then, such as when he is getting his shoes shined, and jumping between traffic.

[@videohistory722]

And the guy in the red tracksuit just happened to be walking by that day!

[@IamaPERSON]

That’s really cool!

[@jeremyadler9620]

@@IamaPERSON, Honestly, while a nice fact, not that shocked. Those scenes just SCREAMED improv to me :)

[@IamaPERSON]

@@jeremyadler9620 I don’t watch movies often, so I can’t tell what is, and isn’t improv.

[@jeremyadler9620]

@@IamaPERSON, Fair :)

[@wstine79]

I love Peter Dinklage as the author who beats up Buddy because he called him an elf. I'm sure he wanted to do that for a long time.

[@PrincessNinja007]

esp since he's the guy who outright refuses elf and leprechaun roles

[@mrcritical6751]

@@PrincessNinja007 it seems the only exception he made was Eetri in infinity War but even then the joke was the dwarf is a giant

[@RedHeadKevin]

@@PrincessNinja007 Not only that, but he'll complain about dwarves playing Dwarves and get all those parts dumped for CGI "creatures." Great Work! I can't wait to see "Snow White and the Seven CGI "Creatures.""

[@Shadow1Yaz]

His threatening “call me elf *one more time!!* “ Followed by Will politely obliging “you’re an elf 🥺” Killed me 😂😂😂

[@RYMAN1321]

I know it’s just a film but I’m surprised he agreed to be in a script where his height gets insulted. Just like other films that have characters say racial slurs, I know they’re just acting but I don’t know how it doesn’t come off as uncomfortable and off putting

[@videohistory722]

Will Ferrell actually was scared of the jack in the boxes. His reactions are genuine.

[@RealChiliConQueso]

Jon Favreau had the props guys make them all have different timing, so he never knew when each one was going to pop.

[@ryangreen6255]

@@RealChiliConQueso that's genius

[@darkreyule]

Funny, I'm scared of anything Will Ferrell does as "comedy".

[@videohistory722]

@@darkreyule watch him in Stranger Than Fiction. The guy's capable of doing serious stuff too, believe it or not!

[@kumanight]

@@darkreyule So do you watch Will Ferrel movies on Halloween?

[@brenyatta]

Buddy wasn’t even watching Jovi shower. He just wanted to do a duet of the song because he loved her singing voice. He even sat in a spot where she needed to look around the corner in order to see him

[@monsterhanna6691]

Exactly! Did Doug or anybody even watch the movie? Buddy wasn't even close to being a creep. 😂

[@DrDolan2000]

I mean he did still end up going in a female shower room, but he probably didn't see the sign because he was so distracted And this isn't a gendered bias thing; if a woman just like Buddy did the same exact thing, I wouldn't be calling her a creeper

[@ForrestFox626]

Even if he wasn't watching, he should know what you use the shower for

[@brenyatta]

@@ForrestFox626I’m sure he knew EXACTLY what was going on (given how he’s shown showering in the beginning), and played naive in order to defuse her suspicions

[@grizzly_manbanimation8436]

@@DrDolan2000 yeah, regardless, seeing her naked was not his intention, it was just to hear her sing. Which is further evidence by the fact that he never even watched her in the shower.

[@samwitherington8202]

I get that some people find him annoying, but I think Ferrels enthusiasm and childlike innocence combined with his oafish and oversized (for his mind) body makes this a fun performance for me. I think hes believable most of the time, and it is really fun to watch him improve the lives of everyone around him. Also, "you sit on a throne of lies" is the funniest thing in the world to me for no reason.

[@ForrestFox626]

I like him when he's subtle

[@castleoffiction96]

Put it this was: Ron Burgundy, and voice acting. That's how I like him

[@AliG4life]

It's throne of lies.

[@shady8045]

I think the problem with the movie is that there isn’t really that good enough of a reason for him to be as clueless as he is. Like especially because every other elf in the movie isn’t learning disabled or anything. Some things make sense, like the toilets and maybe the world best cup of coffee, also his savant skills (since the elf world would probably push abilities like that to their limit due to the elf’s obviously being naturally good at Christmas stuff) but him not knowing to not go into the girls bathroom for example doesn’t even make any sense.

[@welcometothemetaverse2523]

@@shady8045 I don't get the bathroom thing either because he clearly has a shower at the North Pole. But remember he's supposed to be a child in mind, because elves live longer and grow slower than humans who age three times faster. He's seen in a classroom with elf children as an adult, showing he's being taught and raised at the same level as the elves who are around the age of 8 or 10 when they're 30-40 years-old. Knowing how most children act at that age, his eccentricities and naivete are believable. And even despite him being obviously a fish out of water in New York, his intelligence and other things he doesn't understand like the shower I guess are just exaggerated for comedy.

[@samuelbutton7185]

I still love how Ferrell is so comically taller than everyone else, especially in the North Pole

[@thattheatrenerd1418]

And especially being just tall in general compared to even normal charterers that he is still called Buddy the Elf.

[@nsasupporter7557]

Vince Vaughn Is taller… he’s 6’5 and he was in Fred Claus

[@rorysainsbury6816]

It was the point after all

[@mrcritical6751]

@@nsasupporter7557yeah but the elves were freaky regular heads CGI’ed into teeny tiny body, people in that movie which makes it less charming. Plus Vince has got a larger build and more bulk with makes it less noticeable, Will Ferrel is a human flag pole

[@anthonydeadman]

In regards to the shower scene, you really gotta keep in mind, Buddy the whole time still retains the mindset of a child. So genuinely, he probably never realized she was showering let alone in the nude and his soul intention was to innocently just listen to her melodic singing. Hell I doubt he even knew what being attracted to a person's body entails, but it's heavily implied she taught him all he needed to know by the end of the movie given they had a kid and all.

[@LadyOnikara]

And he wasn't really WATCHING her showering, since he was around the corner.

[@ONESIXTHCAVE]

except he has a scene where he's showering at the beginning so he knows what showers are.

[@Longshanks1690]

That explains why he did it, yeah. That doesn’t explain why she forgave him for it absurdly easily.

[@anthonydeadman]

@@ONESIXTHCAVE See I was expecting someone to throw in this reply the moment I made my comment and here's the thing. I never said he didn't know what showers are. He clearly does. Mainly that he just wasn't aware she was showering to begin with. In all likelihood, he was too distracted by her singing to even pay attention to the sound of water so it just never really occurred to him till she popped her head out telling him to get out.

[@anthonydeadman]

@@Longshanks1690 I can only assume it's mostly cause she could tell he had the mannerisms of a child and so she probably figured he really meant no harm by it. Now if this movie were to take place in modern years, it'd be a whole different story.

[@thejman5683]

So fun fact: Originally the store buddy was mistaken for an employee at was originally going to be Macy’s, they even would have implemented the movie as a part of that Year’s Thanksgiving day parade. But there was a catch, the whole Santa fight scene had to have been cut. So it was replaced with Gimble’s (which went bankrupt in the 80s)

[@DrDolan2000]

Wait, they ended up using a store that didn't even exist anymore? Alright 🤷‍♂️

[@mattycooldude6462]

Gimbels went out of business in 1987

[@klimmr]

25:12 Has anyone noticed that the song, "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" is kind of intimidating? It's basically saying that Santa has eyes on you at all times. Watch out, don't cry, don't pout, be good!

[@whyiamafs]

I noticed 👋🏾 😰

[@LunatheMoonDragon]

Yes, people have been making this observation for so many years that it's actually more impressive that you managed to live to your current age without hearing someone else make a joke about it already. The more ironic thing is that people are so quick to joke about how it's creepy that santa is always watching and judging you but think it's perfectly moral and just when their favourite religion takes the same stance!

[@jerraldwest8531]

I love the look on the Dad's face when he realizes that if he hadn't started to sing at that moment, Santa's sleigh would have ran him over and killed him. 😂

[@juanmarodriguez6010]

the chemistry between buddy and his dad is what makes the movie for me. Like you said the dad´s reactions are hilarious

[@rorysainsbury6816]

Rip James Caan 😔😔😔😔😔

[@JMajik24]

Walter's reaction to Buddy's Christmas Gram song where he just says "Wow...that was weird" in a dead pan voice is hilarious to me. Elf is one of my favorite Christmas movies because of Buddy's dad.

[@mrcritical6751]

James Caan just gives a great deadpan and exacerbated performance in this

[@mauziki]

I agree. James Caan's performance really sets this movie apart.

[@averymerrick]

The *Santa* moment in the Gimbel’s store will never get old.

[@somerandolad]

"You sit on a throne of lies!"

[@likecascade7015]

He’s an imposter!

[@DiegoHernandez-xt2su]

“You Sit on a Throne of Lies”

[@louisduarte8763]

@@somerandolad Those should be heavy metal lyrics.

[@MarkoBojkovic-guitar]

@@louisduarte8763I play in a metal band! Shall we use them as lyrics?

[@PetaHatingChris42]

Fun fact: The big long belch Buddy does after chugging the Coke was actually done by The Brain himself, Maurice LaMarche.

[@DrFrankenolly]

Fun fact, the effects that hold up were the practical in camera effects. All the effects in the opening were forced perspective shots like those used in Lord of the Rings!

[@brandonspain12345]

I always say Zooey Deschanel is *hauntingly* beautiful.

[@masonwheeler6536]

Now if only she could act...

[@HigherQualityUploads]

@@masonwheeler6536 At least she can sing 🙃

[@yin-yangdragon]

personally, I prefer her sister she seems more mature or more sophisticated

[@brandonspain12345]

@@masonwheeler6536 True. Although she is great in New Girl. Maybe she's better off playing quirky weird girls or nerdy outsiders.

[@DreFromMaine8472]

Indeed. She can't help it that her eyes are so big, and it wasn't her fault that The Happening sucked as much as it did. I think she's attractive as well!

[@ottobaron6392]

I liked Bob Newhart as Papa Elf. One thing that had people laughing when I saw it in the theater, was where what was clearly the Keebler tree, catching fire, as elves ran screaming.

[@JakeGottfriedStudios]

That is definitely one of my favorite jokes of the movie

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

I love how so many regular people in NYC are just going by their day and then out of nowhere they just see 500 Elfs just staring into their souls

[@barneychill4547]

A few years back I played Buddy the Elf in an adaptation of the Elf musical, so Elf will always have a special place in my heart. Elf the musical was the first show of our theater program, was my first lead role, and was the last production one of my favorite teachers took part in before dying of throat cancer. R.I.P. Mrs. Bordeleau

[@karenamyx2205]

Sorry about your loss, but you didnt say elf enough.

[@monsterhanna6691]

That's so special, and I'm so sorry about your teacher. Rest in peace. She sounds wonderful. 💚

[@lukef2098]

a few years back I Eiff I. Show

[@averymerrick]

Dyeing for Your Art: Will Ferrell really did consume the spaghetti-and-candy monstrosity that Buddy creates his first morning at Walter's house. *All the sugar reportedly gave him a migraine.*

[@summerjonz]

I'm pretty sure not even a pregnant woman would think of consuming that.

[@mas8705]

“Question nothing. The answers will disturb you.” Considering how chaotic the other Christmas years started, I shall happily accept the “get out of jail” card and proceed watching the review.

[@scottketchie5703]

At last, Doug reviews this movie as Nostalgia Critic. Man these videos never get old

[@DiegoHernandez-xt2su]

@@liamphibia “bye buddy, hope you find your dad”

[@rommix0]

@@BatmanFan76 and LOVES the movie you hate (or love sometimes)

[@jason1666]

Amen

[@kristofvandycke6687]

Not only did it get old; Doug killed the critic, then resurrected him, and let the resurrection get old...

[@terraganbrouk9060]

He covered it in one of his top 11 Christmas films video.

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

I'm pretty sure a 6 Foot Elf just screaming and yelling all over NYC trying to find his Dad is probably the next Adam Sandler film

[@Tzedakah263]

A fun piece of trivia: Mancy's was invited to be the significant store chain where many scenes take place, but Macy's didn't want to be associated with having fraudulent Santa Clauses, so they passed on the offer.

[@monsterhanna6691]

That's so weird. 😂

[@dinosaysrawr]

My favorite gag is the raccoon. I lose it every time. Zooey Deschanel has a truly-underrated voice of an angel. She needs to release more albums, seriously.

[@collincleaves7874]

I’ve seen the film so many times every Christmas and every year it just fills me with so much joy and Christmas spirit. May James Cann and his unforgettable performance rest in peace 🙏❤

[@nickbx28]

Don't forget Ed Asner as well since he passed away last year

[@rorysainsbury6816]

Do you think they might make that sequel even without both James and Ed? I feel like they could, but they’d have to kill off their characters and pay tribute to them. 🤔

[@nickbx28]

@@rorysainsbury6816 highly doubt it, considering that Jon Favreau and Will Ferrell didn’t get along when filming the movie

[@rorysainsbury6816]

@@nickbx28 True, though if they ever do just in case, what do you think the sequel would be about?

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

Elf is a certified modern classic. Will Ferrell couldn't be stopped in the early 2000s and this is the one that started it all. Great comedy and family film. Nothing else like it!

[@michellecrocker2485]

The dad was kind of a jerk at first but the stepmom was amazing. It was the stepmom who insisted that he stay with them

[@monsterhanna6691]

And she also defended him every chance she got and was open-minded about everything he did. I never realized how awesome she was.

[@mrcritical6751]

She embraced Buddy’s eccentricities, one little detail I love is that during the epilogue you can see Buddy opening a Christmas present from her and she got him a giant jug of syrup that is a good step-mum right there she knew exactly what he’d want

[@michellecrocker2485]

@@monsterhanna6691 I knew Emily was going to be the amazing and sympathetic parent because it was her insistence that her husband stop acting like a jerk and actually be a dad to his son. “ take him to work with you. It’ll be a good bonding experience “. Buddy for his part never thought there was anything wrong with either of them. If anything, he wanted his dad’s approval and he was happy to have his stepmom’s approval.

[@grizzly_manbanimation8436]

I can kind of see where he’s coming from, though. A strange man, dressed in a weird costume, comes into your life randomly, and then says he’s your son. Not only that but this man acts like a child in a man’s body. Later on, the same man child almost ruined a business deal for him. So it’s not hard to see where the guy is coming from. I know being mean is not necessarily the best way to go, but be honest, would you be so kind to someone like that if one came into your life suddenly?

[@michellecrocker2485]

@@grizzly_manbanimation8436 I wouldn’t treat them like a stranger. Yes, it was a shock to suddenly have to deal with a man child but buddy didn’t seem to know anything else. He needed real world guidance

[@veroxid]

"Things kids attempted #4," admittedly, was one that I did as a kid....multiple times. Sorry parents. #7 - "You sit on a throne of lies" is a quote I still say to this day and I'm in my late 20's.

[@LunarSpoonHasFun]

I'll never get over the fact that Ming Ming (the elf in red at the beginning) is Peter Billingsley who was also Ralphie in A Christmas Story.

[@greshaminc156]

I always loved elf in my opinion. I can understand why you aren’t a fan of elf. What I love about buddy in the film is that yes, he can be annoying and childish, but he can be relatable where it does remind us of our childhoods when we behaved like him. It was a fun Christmas comedy for me next to Home Alone and Christmas Vacation.

[@chaddon7685]

And I think it's important to note that 9/10, when he's annoying, he's meant to seem annoying.

[@ForrestFox626]

Thank God I didn't behave like this as a kid

[@monsterhanna6691]

​@@ForrestFox626 I still behave this way as an adult. 😂

[@artloveranimation]

25:45 THANK YOU! Someone finally mentioned it! That music has always stuck out to me and yet no one else noticed how similar it is

[@ajtheva6694]

Fun Fact: The scene where Buddy walked through the tunnel to enter new York, everyone driving that day was so distracted by him they all crashed causing massive problems. Damn...

[@thattheatrenerd1418]

I am honestly surprised, NY is one weird place and THAT is what distracts them, seems like a normal commute to me.

[@mw9688]

@@thattheatrenerd1418 …you’re likely thinking of cab drivers. They wouldn’t have crashed…they’ve gotten used to New York. However the occasional New Yorker that was driving already was breaking the norm by driving… it was an exciting day and the vibrancy of their excitement had them easily distracted by the simple things. Or they rarely drive…. This also wasn’t long after 9/11 so…come up with some theory I’m too lazy to write.

[@mattycooldude6462]

Interstate 495 must have been a parking lot that day from New Jersey and the Lincoln Tunnel to the Mid Manhattan Expressway and 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan.

[@perfectopebenito2640]

R.I.P James Caan

[@alex_harnar_618]

(25:45) Have you ever noticed that this part of the musical score in ‘Elf’ sounds very similar to the musical score in: ‘The Polar Express?’ Both of these movies came out around the same time. ‘Elf’ came out in 2003, and ‘The Polar Express’ came out in 2004. Really interesting they sound so similar

[@drakeredwingofficial]

My dad has an irrational hatred of this movie in spite of the fact that he has never seen it. I rebelled and watched it at a friend's house and I can safely say, it's a certified hood classic

[@ForrestFox626]

I don't blame your dad

[@videohistory722]

All the scenes where it's supposed to show off how big he is in the north pole is just some clever camera work. When it look like he's sitting next to everyone, he's actually sitting close to the wall, and the set was made just so that when the camera faces it a certain way, it looks like it does.

[@mrcritical6751]

You can kinda tell when he’s acting with Peter Billingsly, his eyes don’t fully match up with where Buddy should be sat

[@jerricablackcat4303]

For this year's transformation I was expecting He-man. Holding a loft a giant candy can and saying "By the Power of Christmas!" Then the candy cane turns out to be Santa Christ's staff, so he walks over and snatches it back.

[@wariodude128]

Always next year, where the idea might be stolen. Pretty sure you wouldn't mind though.

[@arch_ang0l476]

He already did something similar in the Christmas story live review

[@jerricablackcat4303]

@@wariodude128 Of course not, their free to use it if they want

[@jerricablackcat4303]

@@arch_ang0l476 Are you sure? I remember his Christmas transformations including Sailor Moon, Wonder Woman, and last year Transformers. Update: I just checked, yeah I guess that was kinda like He-man. But it wasn't He-man.

[@jeremythomaswebb1485]

He did something similar to that with the Christmas story live show review.

[@SWDude2710]

R.I.P Ed Asner and James Caan! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 This is definitely one of my favourite movies of the entire season, though I've never really liked the meeting room scene with Peter Dinklage beating the crap out of Will Ferrell up.

[@Chazzvc]

I'm actually impressed that Channel Awesome's staff is still together after all these years. At least Malcolm and Tamara, Idk about their editors. There are a lot of channels that blow up and get really big but still dissolve over time or change because people change.

[@supermariof0521]

Honestly I'm more surprised Channel Awesome was able to bounce back after the big ChangeTheChannel scandal of 2018.

[@mattway18]

I’m surprised Jim’s still around. Jim Jarosz has been around even longer than Malcolm

[@claymathewselevator8121]

James Caan, Bob Newhart and Ed Asner this movie has so much talent in it

[@Depth217]

RIP James and Ed 😢

[@rorysainsbury6816]

It sucks Bob is the only one of those three still alive 😔😔😔

[@arealconservative8712]

And he’s in his 90s.

[@cheneethompson5756]

@@arealconservative8712 yeah

[@philhartman1948]

Now Bob is dead too...

[@Dragoon1809]

7:56, you know you’re humble when you can look back on your over the top moments and say “Yeah, not my proudest memory but I’m not ashamed to ignore them.”

[@ChrisOnStage2]

Those were the reasons I watched him in the first place! LOL!

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

To quote the late great Norm Macdonald and something i'm sure Will Ferrell might know a thing or too about is "The only thing that an old man can tell a young man is that it goes fast, REAL fast, and, if you're not careful, it's too late. Of course, the young man will never understand this truth."

[@ericrakestraw664]

I'm glad the Critic pointed out at 25:50 how similar The Polar Express soundtrack is to the Elf soundtrack. I knew I couldn't be the only one who believed that.

[@welcometothemetaverse2523]

Mr. Narwhal coming out of the water intimidatingly is funny because you expect him to be a monster that's going to harm Buddy and it turns out he's just adorable and wants to wish Buddy good luck. The subversion of expectations is the joke.

[@RYMAN1321]

Yeah I thought that was pretty clear too. Still a funny moment

[@monsterhanna6691]

I swear Nostalgia Critic just doesn't pay attention sometimes, which is ironic considering how he's giving a review of this. 😂

[@tsalv1993]

I have the opposite reaction people have for this movie. At first I didn’t really like it at all, because I never fully watched it. After watching the whole thing a few years ago, I love this movie. I watch it every time it comes on during Christmas time.

[@zackcross7190]

It took me years to notice James Caan look away from the camera when he laughs at Will Ferrell screaming in the doctor’s office.

[@Kawaiikate01]

For some reason his delivery of “it’s a pen!” has me rolling!

[@tomsenior7405]

Malcolm always delivers the best lines. Bloody funny.

[@jacksykes4680]

The iron man 2 joke made a perfect line from that movie pop in my head that would fit “If you could make Santa bleed then people will stop believing in him”

[@spencercarroll6363]

Rest in Peace, James Caan (1940 - 2022)

[@DiegoHernandez-xt2su]

😢

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Such a great actor

[@claytonrios1]

Ah yes. The movie that made Will Ferrell a household name. Plus it made a Top 11 list too!

[@WillyDIreland]

I'm a 45 year old grump but the main musical theme of this movie always lifts me up.

[@ChristianGabino]

Jon Favreau is an iconic and passionate filmmaker, writer, director, and the creator of The Mandalorian series of the Star Wars Franchise. and he’s also an iconic actor portraying Happy Hogan in the Iron Man movies and also in the MCU. Jon Favreau is a Brilliant Filmmaker & Best-Time creator of Hollywood.

[@drewkaplan7460]

My all time favorite Christmas movie. For me a must watch every Christmas season.

[@grantdale9867]

This movie actually has had the opposite effect over time with my parents. Initially when they saw it, they did not like it at all. But over the years it’s come to be one of their favorites to watch at Christmas. It personally stands as one of my favorites to watch every year!

[@chasehedges6775]

This movie is such an awesome Christmas classic and I still love it to this day. Will Farrell and his performance are what make it so good.’

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Agreed

[@rorysainsbury6816]

True that

[@ForrestFox626]

Debatable

[@michaelnally2841]

Fun fact. Apparently during production they were at risk of getting into hot water with the Rankin Bass company because of how many elements they pulled from the rudolph special. In fact they were close to having to change Buddy’s costume after they filmed all the New York scenes and when they couldn’t afford another shoot back to New York.

[@MusicDecomposer]

20:25 I don’t see what’s wrong with that effect. It’s supposed to look cartoony.

[@OfficialDBFilm]

Fun Fact: James Caan insisted he be referred to on set as “Jimmy the dream.” And the crew were so committed to him that James chair literally just said “The Dream” across it.

[@koalasandwich567]

I feel like Buddy and Aragorn are the same person, two humans raised by Elves

[@mrcritical6751]

Honestly I’d pay to watch Vigo Mortensen act out Buddy’s scenes

[@Kyolover8]

Finally I'm not the only one who thought the elf soundtrack sounded similar to the polar express soundtrack. The very first time I watched both of them I knew they sounded similar.

[@RYMAN1321]

Agreed, even though Polar Express didn’t come out until the next year. They were also both different composers, Elf was composed by John Debney and Polar Express was Alan Silvestri.

[@Kyolover8]

@@RYMAN1321 I didn't realize that it was two different people and I also didn't realize that polar express came out after elf. I had thought it was before. Is it possible that Alan Silvestri maybe sampled that bit of music for his score in polar express?

[@dougbriglmen716]

I feel sorry for Tamra a little bit, hope she didn’t lose her voice with all that screaming!😂

[@RettMikhal]

"What's... that?" "Larengitus." "HAAAA HAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

[@marcoparada6652]

....can't stand that twit Tamra.

[@zilesis1]

i think what makes the scene with Dinklage work is that everyone else is against Buddy, technically. like, no one in the romm is amused or agrees with him or anything. they're all shocked and confused that he would say such things to DInklage's character. I think that's the best way to have your dark humour not be in poor taste. you can have a character act as a jerk, be insentitive or irgnorant etc. and it can be funny, as long as everyone in the room acknowledges that that behaviour isn't good

[@welcometothemetaverse2523]

Yes. It also works because Buddy, having lived in the North Pole is naive, legitimately thinks the guy is an elf and not intending to insult him by saying so. Also, while being completely sincere, Buddy's childlike demeanor only makes it look like he's mocking the guy. Even the dad and his coworkers who know Buddy's strange behavior, understands this is not intentional. It's all a misunderstanding from both sides.

[@ViewTube_Emperor_of_Mankind]

I really love Deschanels eyes.. like legit wanna look into them all day.. maybe something is wrong with me but this woman is just absolute beauty to me.

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

I think this film just shows how cool and how much of a legend Leon Redbone is.

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

Honestly i wouldn't be surprised if The Genie from Aladdin was actually Buddy the Elf real father

[@marquis911]

We got a new Christmas special with Ferrell this year. It's a decent movie with awesome songs. In one scene, a guy dressed as Buddy walks up to Will, and Will tells him he looks stupid.

[@armsofzeus]

Do you happen to know the name of it?

[@marquis911]

@@armsofzeus Spirited. It's on Apple TV +.

[@karenamyx2205]

@@marquis911 Oh, other places too... free places

[@ninjabunnywholivesinsideaw8216]

10:25 I absolutely LOVE that that was improvised! I mean, what are the odds that a random citizen happened to be out dressed like Santa!? Too great an opportunity to pass up!

[@welcometothemetaverse2523]

I'm surprised how many times I've seen a man with a white beard and a red shirt walking around looking like Santa and it was never intended. Like it never occurred to them that they look like Santa.

[@SchwhatNow]

I've always felt like Will Ferrel is such a better actor than people give him credit for because, for one reason or another, he's so often thrown into zany roles that don't appeal to a very wide audience. I agree that when he's acting the child in Elf he does it so well. The only other movie I can think of that he does a better job of actually acting, not just yelling weird things, is Megamind and he is masterful in that. I wish we could see more of his range in more films.

[@MattsMovieMadness]

I’m glad that the Critic came around on Ernest Saves Christmas calling that Santa one of the best ones

[@seanpatrickcain2]

Next to Paul Giamatti in Fred Claus

[@Longshanks1690]

Wdym “come around on it?” He’s always said the Santa is great but the overall movie is terrible.

[@davidgarrett6951]

This is why I avoid strictly Christmas movies unless it's Christmas time. Avoid overkill

[@travisdelafuente1150]

Elf is one of my favorite holiday comedies and it never gets old even after 20 years.

[@marveloussuperboy6370]

True I like Elf 😂😂😂😂

[@legendarybluepegasus2687]

Elf is my favorite Christmas movie too!

[@msingleton]

This is one of the best Christmas movies of all time. It’s a yearly tradition in our house. This review missed so much of what makes this movie magical.

[@monsterhanna6691]

I agree. I know this wasn't a negative review, but I do agree that he missed a lot.

[@hippojuice23]

Like .......?

[@theeternalsuperstar3773]

My biggest problem with this movie was how no one told Buddy anything about the real world. How the hell has he never heard of a department-Store Santa, and even so, why didn't Santa tell him?

[@brewesharp3129]

I like Zoey a lot shes a pretty talented singer and songwriter also

[@connorcaldwell588]

This movie is a classic for me! Yes, the screaming is obnoxious but I love Ferrel’s energy.

[@cheneethompson5756]

Elf is my fave will Ferrell movie! Next to bewitched!

[@sirorliktheironclad]

To be honest, I was not a big fan of this movie, everyone loved it but I didn’t to the point where I grew tired of this movie especially in school when this was the only movie they would play every Christmas. I wasn’t alone, the whole class grew tired of this movie one girl even said “I want to watch the Polar Express.”

[@collinsnider4179]

Santa’s workshop is much like sweatshops, everyone has to work hard building toys in harsh weather conditions and are forced to smile through it all

[@zachhaywood1564]

"You sit on a throne of lies." is still one of the greatest lines ever written.

[@MrDamakoEndurance]

Whenever I think of which Christmas movies you should review, this is always the first movie that comes to my mind. And you've finally gifted me with it! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Channel Awesome and all its viewers.

[@ccherry.berryy]

I stilly can’t help but smile seeing Chaplin and Buster have a spot in the intro

[@bronwynknight1330]

Honestly, I love this movie. I watch it every year with my family and we have since I can remember. I think we're past the point of whether it's good or not, we just enjoy watching it together.

[@Spindler2007]

Tamara's perfectly cut scream at 5:08 cracks me up laughing 😂

[@trygveplaustrum4634]

*Will Rob Walker be making a cameo appearance as Santa for Toys for Tots?* I feel like that would make the story come around full circle! He's such a nice, clever man at that!

[@littlereyrey]

This is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. It's right up there with A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation.

[@etharchildres3976]

Aww, I love the climax! The part where everyone sings gets me full of the Christmas spirit.

[@mw9688]

The last “I don’t know.” Has this look of defeat that somehow had a mix of youth and age…. Like for a brief moment we saw Doug’s inner child go through dementia and then acceptance of the inevitability that is giving up on life… BRILLIANT!

[@tylertilwick6852]

Yes, Buddy screaming about his dad being on the naughty list isn’t how a kid would react, but he was raised at the North Pole where being on the naughty list is the worst thing imaginable. And for his father to be on there, to him, is like hearing your father is a serial killer.

[@PrincessAliceManor]

That perfectly cut scream at 5:08 had me in stitches lmao xD