Elf

Director Jon Favreau's sweet seasonal comedy relies entirely on the talents of Will Ferrell, who plays Buddy, a fully grown adult raised from a baby by Santa's little helpers. Now too clumsy and outsized - by elf standards - to assist with present creation and testing, Buddy discovers the existence of his birth father (James Caan in full-bore Scrooge mode) and heads for New York. Despite modern effects trickery that has created pint-sized toymakers and flying reindeer, this strives for the feel of vintage Disney through twee settings and storybook narration from Buddy's surrogate dad, Bob Newhart. Dressed in a snug green outfit throughout and dispensing decorations, sugary snacks and a beaming grin, Ferrell is the life and soul of an infectiously entertaining Christmas celebration.