Elf

[Auspicious]

This movie was so funny. I laughed out loud a lot, which I don't normally do at the movies so much, as did the rest of the audience, and I thought my boyfriend was going to fall out of his chair. It was very sweet without being syrupy or cynical, like so many comedies are. (Well, it had a couple moments of each of those, but not much.) The commercials for it give a pretty good idea of what the movie is like, so if you think they're dumb you'll probably think the movie is dumb, as well. We loved it, though. I think we're going to get the DVD and make a tradition of watching this each year.

We saw this yesterday and thought it was great. Very light, funny, and entertaining which was exactly what we needed.
Without giving too much away, you know that Buddy the Elf is going to help his father find the spirit of Christmas. But it is fun along the way and as Julie said, not syrupy sweet. Although actual syrup does figure prominently in some scenes.
Bob Newhart was great as Papa Elf! Too bad we don't see more of him in other films...

[mommax3]

I am really looking forward to seeing this.....maybe over Thanksgiving. I LOVE Will Ferrell. He can say something completely innocuous and it makes me laugh. For those of you who have seen it.....how would this be for kids, aged 8 and 5? I don't mind a little potty humor (hey, potty humor is how I get most of my laughs these days!) but sexual stuff (unless it would go right over their heads) and lots of strong language are things I would like to shield them from a little longer. They have seen the previews and think they are hilarious. After our disastrous "Brother Bear" experience, I would like to take them to a good one. Let me know what you think!

Sally

I wasn't really watching this with a 5 and 8 year old in mind....so I hope I am not totally off base....but I think it would be fine for your kids to see. And it keeps the idea of Santa very real -- so no secrets spoiled.

The great thing is that Will Ferrell is playing this elf who is very child-like. I can't recall any potty humor and certainly not anything sexual. He does kiss his "love interest" but that is about as far as it goes -- and there is no suggestion of anything more.

I'm sure there must have been something to warrant the PG rating but nothing stands out. And not that this is any sort of endorsement...but we went to the 2:00 showing and there were a lot of young kids there. When we left, I wasn't thinking "I can't believe people brought their kids to this movie!"

[Auspicious]

I think the worst language is when the father tells off the bad guys and says "up yours!" and then the son repeats it, "Yeah, up yours!" and then the father reprimands the son.

The only sexual reference would go over kids' heads, I think. One character, in the middle of a long rant where he's trying to make himself sound very important, mentions that he gets "a lot of action" in addition to having multiple vacation homes, cars, etc.

[mommax3]

Thanks! I think we'll try it if we can find someone to watch Nathan.

Sally

I think the worst language is when the father tells off the bad guys and says "up yours!" and then the son repeats it, "Yeah, up yours!" and then the father reprimands the son.

The only sexual reference would go over kids' heads, I think. One character, in the middle of a long rant where he's trying to make himself sound very important, mentions that he gets "a lot of action" in addition to having multiple vacation homes, cars, etc.

I agree, Julie. And I didn't even remember those two parts! Wow, you have a good memory!
The ranting character who says he gets "a lot of action" says that in a string of other things so it doesn't stand out too much.

I think this will provide you with a much better family movie experience than the last, Sally! Have fun!