Happy Elf DVD: Review By kaismith

In The Happy Elf, Eubie is one of Santa's helpers up at the North Pole who stands apart from other elves because of his overtly optimistic attitude. Eubie notices when sorting through the naughty and nice children that most of the bad children come from a town called Bluesville. Eubie attempts to bring Christmas cheer to the residents of Bluesville, but breaks many rules in the process. Too many broken rules could possible cause Santa to send Eubie to the South Pole where he would no longer be one of Santa's helpers. Will Eubie be able to cheer up Bluesville?

This cute holiday story is hosted by Harry Connick Jr. who also wrote the holiday songs for the film. The cast features seasoned actors such as Carol Kane, Lewis Black, Rob Paulsen and Mickey Rooney.

I really adored this charming animated film. The story is endearing and the characters are adorable and comical. The story is pretty simplistic, but doesn't lag anywhere making it one of those holiday films you can snuggle under a blanket with some hot cocoa and watch before the fire place with the kids. This is more of children's film, but parents can appreciate the messages of being good all year round that their children will pick up along Eubie's journey.

There are a lot of great features here. It doubles as a DVD-rom, which includes all sorts of fun games for the kids to play, which include Eubie's Gift Grab, a North Pole Puzzle Game, Printable Holiday Cards, and a Bluesville Coloring Book.

Build an Elf

This is a cute little activity where you can exchange the heads, torsos and legs of characters to build your own crazy looking elf.

Making of the Happy Elf, An Interview With Harry Connick Jr.

Harry Connick, Jr.'s interview provides a detailed look into the making of the film, the process behind animating and how the team of animators and Connick, Jr. creatively bounced off one another. This featurette also introduces the faces behind the characters while they are in the studio.

Storyboard Reels

This is the film through the storyboard drawings, which is interesting to watch at first, but a little boring over time.



Pictures of the characters from the film.

Eubie's Holiday Treat

This is a sweet recipe to make Holiday Wreath cookies. I made them and they are delicious.

The Happy Elf DVD offers the option to view it in full or widescreen and is enhanced for 16x9 TVs. The animation isn't as sophisticated compared to other animated films I've seen, but it is not horrible either. The story transitions well and the characters have that touch of humor and the occasional song and dance. Thankfully, the song and dance is not overly done. A lot of holiday films can be too much song and dance, which can get annoying if you are not all about musicals.

There is the option for Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Digital Surround Sound 2.0. Both sound great. The audio is clear and the songs are really a delight. I didn't get tired of hearing the intro of "The Happy Elf" song on the Menu.

Eubie is on the right, hanging on to Christmas lights attached to Santa's sleight in the background just below Harry Connick, Jr's name. Below Eubie is the North Pole city and just to the left is the film title. On the back are two scene stills and a photo of Harry Connick, Jr. on the back drop of the starry sky with the North Pole city below. There is also a plot synopsis and bonus features list.

The Happy Elf is a cute and fun holiday film for the kids that will entertain and teach them. Certainly check this out!