Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas tells the story of Buddy the elf, and his quest to reunite with the human father he never knew existed. While Buddy’s sincerity and idealism are commonplace at the North Pole, these attributes are rejected in cynical New York City. But through song, dance, and relentless good cheer, Buddy rekindles the spirit of Christmas for the entire city.
Release Date: November 3, 2015
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 44 Minutes
If you love Elf, you’ll enjoy Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas, an animated adaptation of the original film. The animation is fantastic. I don’t watch a ton of animation but I was impressed and it kept my attention. If you liked the small dose of singing in the original film, you’re in for a treat with this musical version, with much singing from Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory). The cast is great, including Mark Hamill, Rachel Bloom, Kate Micucci, Fred Armisen, Ed Asner, and more.
Aside from the animation, music, and cast, the comedy is solid and here for all ages. I was listening to the lyrics of many of the songs and while some lyrics are innocent, many will fly over children’s heads. Needless to say, fun for the whole family.
Then there’s the variation in storytelling to fit the 44 minute musical story being told here. There are many scenes that have been adjusted and many scenes that have been added but it all works. I really enjoyed seeing a new version of a story that I love so much done so well. That couldn’t have been easy.
That said, the ending point in which Walter accepts Buddy as his own, as his son came too fast but I knew that there would be something off in the pacing. So while disappointing it was that moment that came much too soon, I’m not surprised. In cutting down an hour and a half movie to a 44 minute movie, something was bound to fall short.
All of this said, I can’t say that I’ll sit down and take the time to watch this again with my complete attention but it is the perfect Christmas movie to add to your collection to watch with the whole family and then add this to your rotation of Christmas movies to play in the background during the holidays.
Special Feature:
Elf-in All the Way: Inside Buddy’s Recording Sessions (Approx. 6 minutes) – This is a short feature in which the co-director and cast talk about their experiences in the recording studio and the highs of recording. It’s not a very in depth feature but something anyone can appreciate if they like seeing glimpses of what it’s like in the studio.
Appearing in this Feature:
Co-Director, Mark Caballero
Cast Members, Mark Hamill, Ed Asner, Jim Parsons, Jay Leno
Own Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas on Blu-ray Combo, DVD & Digital HD today.