Film Review: "Ted" (2012)

The film’s taglines reads "The first motion picture from the creator of Family Guy" and "This is not a f*cking kids movie!!!" Which is what you strap yourself in for when watching Ted. This comedy film, directed, co-written and produced by Seth MacFarlane, the film is the feature-length directorial debut of MacFarlane. As the result of a childhood wish, John Bennett's teddy bear, Ted, came to life and has been by John's side ever since - a friendship that's tested when Lori, John's girlfriend of four years, wants more from their relationship.

Seth MacFarlane's directorial debut is a live-action effort. MacFarlane wrote the screenplay with his Family Guy colleagues Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild. In a "behind the scenes" video, it was revealed that MacFarlane originally wanted to make Ted into an animated TV show, much like his previous works Family Guy and American Dad. Filming began in May 2011 in Boston, Norwood, Swampscott, and Chelsea all in Massachusetts. The film's North American release was scheduled for July 13, 2012, but it was brought forward to June 29, both to avoid competition with Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) and following the delay of G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013). For Ted’s computer animation, it was handled by visual effects facilities Tippett Studio and Iloura.

The film stars MacFarlane, Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. The performance were all hilariously funny. Wahlberg’s performance was absolutely ridiculous, especially with the Thunder Song scene. Kunis' performance was also hilarious. Both Wahlberg and Kunis epitomized the ordinary loving couple, except with a 'beary' big problem. But the 'jewel-in-the-crown' was none other than MacFarlane's performance as the title role Ted. His performance was the funniest of all, I laughed at every single one of his jokes. No matter how inappropriate and politically incorrect it was. He’s a cute and cuddly version of Peter Griffin. It was nice to see some old faces; Patrick Warburton, Alex Borstein and Mike Henry from MacFarlane's TV series Family Guy. Also seeing some other old faces; Giovanni Ribisi, Joel McHale and Patrick Stewart with special guest stars; Tom Skerritt, Sam J. Jones, Norah Jones and Ryan Reynolds.

Ted is nasty but extremely funny. The film provides plenty of comic possibilities and parodies. It is breathtakingly smart, a blend of the ingenious with the raw helps account for its much broader appeal. It’s rude, crude and deliciously wrong. It’s a different kind of comedy which clearly sets out to do jokes which other cartoons can't do. The film’s romance versus bromance' plot is familiar, but the film's held aloft by the high-concept central premise and a very funny script. To conclude, it offered endless craving for humor about bodily emissions. It is the best comedy screenplay so far this year, and it doesn't run out of steam.

Simon says Ted receives: