Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart

“Elf” is a fun and adventurous Christmas film.

Released in 2003, “Elf” has become a family favorite the past decade. Comedy legend Will Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf, and the film follows him on his adventure to find his real familty.

Buddy accidentally ended up in the North Pole, and was raised by Papa Elf (Newhart). Papa Elf created an engine for Santa’s sleigh to help it run. Christmas spirit originally fueled the sleigh, yet the lack of it is the reason for the engine.

Buddy does not know that he is truly human and does not blend in with the elves at all.

Buddy finds out that he is not an elf, and that his real parents are Walter Hobbs (Caan) and Susan Wells. Hobbs is living in New York City, and Wells passed away.

Once Buddy arrives in NYC, he has trouble getting used to urban life. He then searches for his father at the Empire State Building where he works as a children’s book editor.

Walter thinks that Buddy is some sort of maniac for mentioning that he is his son. Buddy then mentions Susan Wells, and Hobbs has him kicked out.

Buddy then goes to the famous department store, Gimbles, and meets his love interest, Jovie (Deschanel). He causes chaos in the store over a fake Santa and ends up being put in police custody. Walter bails him out.

Walter gets a DNA test done to figure out if Buddy is really his son. When the test proves this true, Walter takes Buddy home and tries to help him.

He adjusts to his new family, yet clashes with Walter when he insults his boss.

In the end, Walter feels guilty and finally chooses his family over his job and is fired. Santa’s sleigh crashes in Central Park due to a failing engine. Jovie, Michael, and Walter sing Christmas carols and help boost Christmas spirit so the sleigh can run. Buddy and Jovie truly then live happily ever after.

The success of “Elf” has led to the story being made into a Broadway musical and a NBC television special.

“I really like ‘Elf’ because it gets you into the holiday spirit,” sophomore Danielle Emma said. “It’s also a lot of fun to watch it with friends and family!”

The combination of humor, animation, and Christmas spirit make this movie relevant, even twelve years after its release.

If you are planning to binge watch holiday movies this Christmas season, make sure to include Buddy the Elf in your celebration!

“Elf” will air on ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” marathon. Gaels can also rent the movie online on Netflix or Amazon.