The Happy Elf [DVD]

Features

• Type: DVD
• Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
• Language(s): english, english
• Director(s): John Rice
• Actor(s): Harry Connick, Jr., Kevin Michael Richardson, Mae Whitman, Harry Connick Jr., Mickey Rooney, Carol Kane, Lewis Black, Rob Paulsen

The Happy ElfHarry Connick Jr., whose original song "The Happy Elf" inspired this cheerful, animated Christmas special, provides the voice of a narrator straightening out a couple of misguided kids who think they've got Santa fooled about their naughty-or-nice status. Connick's character tells them about Eubie, the North Pole elf whose constant exuberance wears others down but which gives Santa an idea: send Eubie to Bluesville, where joy is squelched by a repressive town authority. There, Eubie meets up with a secret movement to bring happiness to Bluesville, and ultimately does Santa proud.The Happy Elf's computer animation evokes the look of those 1960s stop-motion classicsRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer andFrosty the Snowman, though movement is much more fluid and dimension greater. Still, this is an effort to create a new classic, and with vocal performances that include Mickey Rooney (as Santa) and Lewis Black, and some charming songs,The Happy Elf could be a perennial Christmas entertainment.--Tom Keogh