Elf (2003)

One Christmas eve, Santa unknowingly takes a baby boy from an orphanage as the boy climbs into the toy sack. The baby is discovered only when Santa is back home, at the North Pole. The excited elves decide to keep the human child, and their manager even adopts him. They name the boy Buddy and raise him as an elf, teaching him to make toys. Three decades later, Buddy is all grown up but still oblivious to his origins, despite being so much bigger than other elves. The secret comes out when Buddy overhears two elves talking about him. Buddy learns that he is human. First he faints, then decides to go find his human family. His adoped father the elf tells Buddy that his mother is dead, and his human father, who does not even know about his existence, lives in a strange faraway place called Manhattan. That does not stop Buddy; he heads to New York - in his elf outfit, tights and all.

I have a soft spot for movies where a pure-hearted, naive, fairy-tale creature comes to our cynical world and teaches it a thing or two. This one falls into the category. I enjoyed Buddy's antics in New York, but even more than that I liked his kind and generous personality. I am grateful that the moviemakers have not spoiled the film with stupid or sexual humor, which I half-expected. The story remains clean throughout; when Buddy develops a romantic attachment, it is also handled with decency.

I am impressed with extra features of this DVD - not only the usual commentary and deleted scenes but also numerous featurettes and even Elf Karaoke.