I want a Thunder Buddy like Ted

Ted was one of the movies I was dying to see this summer.  The two trailers, I saw for the film were hilarious.  Not to mention, Ted is Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane’s first feature film so my curiosity and expectations were high.  I’m proud to say that Ted doesn’t disappoint and is one of the year’s funniest movies.  Fans of Family Guy, 80s pop culture, and Flash Gordon will love this film.  There are so many funny references and nuisances. 

Photo courtesy imdb.com & Universal Pictures

The plot of this movie is fairly simple a lonely young boy makes a wish on Christmas night for his new Teddy Bear to become alive.  Well the next morning the wish is granted and John’s Teddy Bear has come to life.  We fast forward twenty some years to see an adult John played by Mark Wahlberg, living with Ted voiced by Seth MacFarlane himself and John’s girlfriend Lori played by Mila Kunis.  The main plot of the story is Lori wants John to grow up and reduce his friendship with Ted so they can move on with their lives, but John has a difficult time leaving his best friend behind.

The movie really shines with Wahlberg and MacFarlane playing off each other.  They bring together believability that John and Ted have been best friends for their entire lives.  Both Wahlberg and MacFarlane are excellent in this movie and have great comedic timing.  MacFarlane does a great job of bringing Ted to life and you believe that underneath the crude humor, pot smoking and stuffing that Ted has a real heart and soul.  I think this is also my favorite role Mark Wahlberg has been in since The Departed.  He is really good in this movie as the person torn between his girlfriend and his best friend. 

Video courtesy of Universal Pictures

Later in the movie there’s an epic fight scene between John and Ted that was so brutal at times reminded me of the infamous They Live fight scene between Rowdy Roddy Piper and Keith David.  Given MacFarlane’s love of 80s culture I wouldn’t be surprised if that scene inspired the Ted fight scene.

It was interesting seeing this movie with a preview audience who mostly was between the ages of 18 to 20. There wasn’t a lot of laughter at the subtle 80s references, but I guess I’m just old enough to get those jokes.

Ted is one of raunchiest comedies I’ve seen in a long time but it has a big heart and was a good time at the movies.  After seeing this movie you will believe that a Teddy Bear is Real.