This one is supposed to be silly and goofy. It comes complete with an elf that giggles in a high-pitched voice. Many of the characters start out with stereotype personalities, like the mean kids, and the principal, and the absent, mega-rich father.It also has that Hallmark over-the-top miraculous finish, but we expected that. I like the plan Santa used to reform the three kids. Once you say what it was, it was pretty clear how things were going to end up.I have trouble evaluating acting when things are so goofy or exaggerated, but it seemed like they all did what they were intended to do.This one will probably be best enjoyed by the young, or at least young-at-heart.

This movie was painfully creepy to watch. The plot was typical of a Christmas movie and had potential to be a good movie. But it was poorly written and executed.Santa and his Elf came off as very creepy. Like the kind of creepy in which you wouldn't let your children within 1000 feet of them. This was one of the worse portrayals of Santa and an elf I've ever seen.I didn't like Santa and I didn't like the elf. And i should like these characters, but i didn't.I tried to like them but couldn't even force myself to like them. I wanted Santa to fail( and go to jail for something cause i really felt like that's where him and his creepy elf belonged.) This movie is a waste of time unless you like watching bad movies.

I wish that Hallmark would spring for come credible writers and stop cranking out this drivel. Judd Nelson looked like he drank his way through the production. The maniacal laugh of that elf and his crazy-faced grimacing smile made him look like an escapee from a mental institution.Totally formulaic characters and dialog. Heart of gold single-mother teacher with the requisite sick kid, adorable dog, rich father who bails his kid out of trouble with money, intimidated principle who lets rich daddy bully her. I could tell 10 minutes ahead everything that would happen. A major snooze.And no wonder Farley hated his father - I'd stab him in his sleep for that horrible name.

Wonderful movie. The kind you what to watch more than once. There are a lot of Christmas movies this time of year and I beginning to think that they were all shot out of the back of a moving van for $2.50, it is nice to see one that looks like some time and effort was put into it. With so many families stretched and stressed the message that this movie sends is a nice one making it well suited for all members of the family. I had never thought of Judd Nelson as "Santa" but he did a good job, it works and I love the elf - which proves that elfs come in all sizes because this one isn't typical but is fun. Anyone wanting to see a light fun heart warming holiday movie should definitely take at look at this one. Well done.