Why So Blu?

Ted – My Favorite Foul-Mouthed Teddy Bear (Movie Review)

“Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane brings his boundary-pushing brand of humor to the big screen for the first time as writer, director and voice star of Ted.  In the live action/CG-animated comedy, he tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a grown man who must deal with the cherished teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish…and has refused to leave his side ever since.

Film  

I just finished reviewing “Wilfred” and was afraid that Ted was going to be a rip off “Wilfred”, featuring a bear instead of a dog.  In fact, I had no desire to see this film and wasn’t even sure I’d see this one on Netflix.  My expectations could not have been lower.  The film begins with narration by Patrick Stewart.  The opening narration immediately has the theater roaring with laughter.  Stewart tells us that there is nothing stronger than the wish of a young child.  Young John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) wishes for a friend.  His Teddy Bear that once played a recorded message comes to life.  John has a best friend and the boy and his bear, Ted, vow to be best friends forever.

The world soon knows about the remarkable bear and Ted even appears on Johnny Carson.  John grows up and his favorite pastime appears to be getting high with Ted.  Amazingly, Ted has a beautiful girlfriend played by Mila Kunis who is very accepting of her boyfriend’s unusual friend.  John has a low paying job, and keeps screwing up when it comes to his girlfriend.  He tries to distance himself from Ted in attempt to grow up but a party at Ted’s house with childhood hero Flash Gordon in attendance is too much to resist.  All the while, a man (Giovanni Ribisi) and his overweight and creepy kid try to buy then kidnap Ted.  In the end, Ted and his girlfriend realize that they both love Ted and they work together to try to get him back home safe. 

Ted is full of stupid humor, which normally doesn’t amuse me.  “Family Guy’s” Seth MacFarlane directed and provided the voice for Ted.  I am a fan of “Family Guy” but never expected Ted to be so funny.  Be warned, there are fart jokes a plenty.  I can think of a few people I know that would be disgusted throughout the film and probably miss most of the jokes and never crack a smile.  Everyone else will laugh out loud, hard, and often.  Walking to my car, I heard fellow movie goers repeating their favorite lines.  The common theme amongst all I talked to was sheer surprise that they loved this film. Everything about this movie made me laugh and I easily overlooked the slightly lame romantic comedy sub plot.  Viewers will probably either love or hate this movie and I come down solidly in the camp that loves it.  Many of the ones that will hate it, probably don’t watch “Family Guy”, and won’t get many of the pop culture references.  This is one of the few films I’m willing to see again in the theater.