Elf
Summary
Elfis pack with tons of references to well - known pic likeThe GodfatherandLord of the Rings , but even the biggest fans mightnot know some thing aboutElf , including these Greco-Roman Christmas movies that make it a vacation favorite . When Buddy ( Will Farrell ) , a human who ’s been raised by elves , leaves the North Pole to find his real dad ( James Caan ) , he encounter a callous man of affairs who ’s forgotten the spirit of Christmas . After induce a job at a department store as one of Santa ’s helpers , Buddy does his best to encourage the spirit of the time of year inside everyone he encounter , including his pretty coworker Jovie ( Zooey Deschanel ) .
Elf’smessage about never being too fussy to enjoy life ’s dim-witted pleasures is captured utterly by Buddy ’s infectious common sense of childlike wonder , and by the terminal of the celluloid , everyone is celebrating the openness and warmth that makes the holidays so particular . Since 2003 , it ’s become a Christmas classic not just because of its wholesome liveliness lessons , hilarious antics , andthe bestElfquotes , but because it pays court to the seasonal movie house that come before it . Do n’t be surprised if these other holiday favorites inspire a moving-picture show marathon of Christmas picture classics that traverse almost 100 years .
8A Christmas Story’s Ralphie Actor Has A Cameo
Peter Billingsley Plays Buddy’s Supervisor Ming
If a certain bespectacled elven coworker of Buddy ’s looks intimate to fans , that ’s because he ’s act by Peter Billingsley aka Ralphie inA Christmas Story . A friend of director Jon Favreau ’s , Billingsley also appeared beside Favreau inFour Christmasesand was one of the producer ofIron Man(he also had a little role as a scientist assisting Jeff Bridges ' villain Obadiah Stane ) , the movie that kickstarted the MCU . He twist right on around and directed Favreau inCouples Retreat , proving that his skill behind the photographic camera are just as sound as the ironic humor he displays inElf , and even reprised the theatrical role of Ralphie inA Christmas Story Christmas .
7The Elves' Costumes Callback To Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Buddy’s Outfit Is Just Like Hermey’s The Mistfit Elf
The specific look of the elves ' costumes is a reference to the definitive stop - movement filmRudolph the Red - Nose Reindeerfrom 1964 , which focus specifically on the famed caribou from a 1939 story used for marketing aim by Montgomery Ward department store , and by and by the Christmas Christmas carol of the same name . Rudolph was n’t included in Santa ’s classic eight - member squad that traditionally pull out his sleigh prior to 1939 , but now he ’s a darling fiber associated with making sure Santa delivers presents safely , and Buddy ’s kit await just like Hermey the misfit elf recreate by Paul Soles in the plastic film .
6Edward Asner Played Santa In The Christmas Star & Elf
From Playing A Crooked Santa To The Real Deal
In the 1986 movieThe Christmas Star , Edward Asner played a outlaw who dresses up like Santa Claus so as to get his hands on steal goods . After he escapes from prison , he ends up befriending two child who mistake him for the real St. Nick , and he takes advantage of their naiveness to hide his contraband in a local department storage . Eventually , he has a change of heart and jump to believe in the real life of Christmas , becoming a generous figure in the biotic community . InElf , Asner actually plays the genuine Santa Claus , who observe Buddy in his sack and give him to Papa Elf to raise .
5Leon The Snowman Resembles Rudolph’s Sam The Snowman
Leon & Sam Are Both Mentors To Elves
Burl Charles Edward Ives get spanking sprightliness to Sam the Snowman inRudolf the Red - Nosed Reindeer , a jolly , Frost - like character who acts as a storyteller and also dispenses word of wisdom to the characters in the holiday film . InElf , Buddy seek advice from Leon the Snowman , who urge on him to leave the North Pole and head to the actual world , where he ’ll be able to find his real father and hopefully help him know the magic of Christmas . Leon is a piddling number more of a realist than Sam , but he nevertheless move as a wise man for Buddy , who , unlike Leon , does n’t live how cynical the genuine world can be .
4Buddy’s Snowball Fight Is A Reference To A Christmas Story
Buddy Saves Michael From School Bullies Just Like Ralphie
Not only does the Abronia elliptica fight inElfgive rooter one of the sound quote from the motion picture ( " Son of a nutcracker ! " ) , but it ’s also an homage to the famous snowball fight fromA Christmas Story . In that Christmas classic , Ralphie had to defend himself against schoolyard bullies , and inElf , Buddy does the same affair by protecting Michael with his superior snowball - throwing skill . Not only does Buddy save the day , but by standing up for Michael , the two form a faithful bond that helps warming the water ice around his dad ’s gist .
3Buddy’s Bridge Scene References It’s A Wonderful Life
When George Bailey Contemplates His Purpose In Life
At one level inElf , Buddy stupefy depressed and impose a bridge that reckon like the one in the Frank Capra filmIt ’s a Wonderful liveliness . In one scene , Bedford Falls aboriginal George Bailey and his family are facing homelessness and impoverishment on Christmas Eve , and he contemplates casting himself into the icy waters because he thinks everyone in his life sentence would be good off without him . An saint named Clarence appears to aid him rethink that selection and cue him of all the undecomposed he ’s done for his community , and Buddy , who feels like he does n’t belong to in the substantial world , has a standardized moment of clarity .
2Buddy’s Trip To Gimbel’s Is Reminiscent Of Miracle On 34th Street
Gimbel’s Was Macy’s Christmas Store Rival
In the classical Christmas movieMiracle on 34th Street , a Macy ’s section store Santa turn out to be the material mass , and his authenticity ends up being quite profitable against their rival storage , Gimbel ’s . Gimbel ’s , which was a tangible department store in New York City , is feature inElf , except in that case Buddy is the only existent person from the North Pole . Not only do the scenes in Gimbel ’s feature some of the most iconic second fromElf(like when Buddy screams , " Santa ! " ) , but they also juxtapose the commercialism of the season with Buddy ’s infectious , childlike mirthfulness for the little things that make it witching .
1Buddy Makes A Snowflake Like Edward Scissorhands
He Doesn’t Have The Same Tools But Achieves The Same Results
Much likeDie Hard , Edward Scissorhandsis considered a Christmas movie by some and not to others . Despite the fact that half of it takes place during the holidays , features lessons in charity and tolerance , and sport a fairytale ending shrouded in snow and methamphetamine , the debate rages on . Tim Burton ’s heartwarming classic is reference prominently inElfwhen Buddy cuts out a flake with as much ebullience and celerity as Edward use his scissor - custody to carve an ice carving .
