Saturday, May 4, 2013

Ted (Seth MacFarlane, 2012) Review

2012 catch-up season continues (unofficially. This isn't a recurring thing) as we delve into the big screen début of the mind behind Family Guy and American Dad (and some other third show that no-one cares about), Seth MacFarlane. From that fact alone, you can probably guess what this film will be like so expect adult humour and all that sort of thing. Does Seth MacFarlane's style translate well onto the big screen? Let's find out.

On Christmas 1985, Johnny receives a teddy bear and, that night, wishes it to be real. The bear comes to life  and gains universal fame. But, like all famous things, he is forgotten. 27 years later, John (Mark Walberg) and Ted (Seth MacFarlane) are now adults living together with John's girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis). Complications come up which leaves John to have to make a decision: keep his best friend or his girlfriend.

In terms of comedy, it's very crude. That's not to say it isn't funny (some moments are pure genius such as having Patrick Stewart as a snarky narrator) but it really is an anquired taste that is a perfect transition from Family Guy's humour. I guess the best way to describe it is if The Hangover had dignity. Seth Macfarlane does an excellent jump to the big screen which is helped by a great performance from Mark Walberg, a surprisingly likeable Mila Kunis and a surprising performance from Seth himself as Ted (Never expected some tear jerker moments from him).

I guess my main complaint is some of the directions the film took weren't exactly wise. I did lead to a good conclusion though and the film has a gift in that it is somehow both predictable and unpredictable at the same time. It's hard to explain but you should see for yourself. Thee are some very funny and quotable lines and moments but it's definitely not for everyone.

Ted is a good start to Seth MacFarlane's film career but it's definitely made with his fans in mind. There is some stand out stuff here with some excellent writing and acting but there are a few missteps that stop it from being a stand out film. If you like a god comedy and can appriciate it, check it out. With all the crap the general public watches (why the hell was Scary MoVie high in the box office?) this is certainly a nice enough film to stray away from the same generic crap.

Verdict:
7.5/10
A feel good film with some excellent writing and acting. Just don't expect a masterpiece from the mind of Family Guy.

No comments:

Post a Comment