Saturday Movies: Ted (2012)

Seth MacFarlane makes his directorial debut with Ted. As the creator of shows like Family Guy and American Dad he had a following to sort of finally see of what he could translate on screen, and see if that crowd would follow to watch one of his movies. It turns out people will, and he isn't too bad at putting together a comedy. It does try to delve on the hardships of transitioning into an adult and growing up, and the comforts of clinging to childhood.

When John Bennett is a kid he receives a teddy bear for Christmas, and having no friends he wishes that the bear would come to life so he wouldn't be so alone. He gets his wish, but his teddy bear meets fame causing him to have a bit of spotlight. As the years passed his fame wears off, and he still lives with John, and his girlfriend, Lori. She is quite accepting of Ted's presence  but as their relationship reaches the 4 year mark she wonders if Ted is hindering John from marrying her. John sense he threat that the party lifestyle Ted lives is bringing him, and it threatens their relationship as he tries to make that one last step to grow up and win over Lori again.


See the synopsis isn't that bad, and if you don't watch Family Guy, or American Dad, as I don't, then there is still a chance you will like it. It's a bit juvenile in parts as expected, and has all the typical jokes you would expect of MacFarlane, but John's commitment to win over Lori is a highlight of the film as he really wants to step up, and be a man for her. The bear on the other hand also finds himself having to grow up to if he wants to keep his friend.

Mark Walberg doesn't seem like a comedian yet he is funny. For some reason his personality reads as someone who takes himself seriously, but yet he doesn't in movies, so it comes off funny. Despite the fact that he funny he still seems just like the character he portrayed in The Other Guys. It seems almost like a continuation of his life, or something. Mila Kunis is a good actress too, but again this always seems to be the type of woman she plays. She's successful, sassy, and not too uptight for men, and while Kunis is likable she may need to mix it up a it so we get something unexpected from her. We get she isn't Jackie from That 70s Show now.

The film matches the vibe that you would get from something that has a little bit of a childhood story involved. Either you will like the narration it begins with or hate it. It depends on what type of humor you like. There are moments it's very funny, and even a bit touching. You even surprisingly get concerned for Ted's welfare at one point after thinking you would like nothing else than to see him disappear. Also, I avoided watching the unrated version. I have no desire to be offended, and finding sexual humor annoying if overused, so I just opted for the theatrical one.

Ted is good for laughs, but it's nothing that will be forever something to live on in the future unless you're just a huge MacFarlane fan. He really is quite popular for his equal insulting jokes he throws at everyone without discretion. This movie doesn't fall short of doing that. It's nicely paced, but the characters feel a little repeated.

Rating 6 of 10.