Haven't we seen this movie before?

Rating: 4/10 (15 July 2012)

I'm not sure what I was expecting walking into Ted. I found the restricted trailer to be funny and creative and I do enjoy Family Guy every now and than but something in the back of my mind just kept saying eh, are you really sure you wanna see this? Well I should have followed my instincts because despite some inspired moments Ted is just that eh, it was okay. The film centers on a friendless young boy who makes a wish for his teddy bear to come to life. And well it does. 27 yrs. later the young boy has grown into Mark Wahlberg and has a girlfriend and well Ted has grown as well into a pot smoking, foul mouthed, crude best friend that hardly ever leaves it side. The whole fairy tale thing taken to a realistic place is inspired and could have been very funny. Instead don't be fooled this is one of those films where the main character is a big child and has to grow up before his girlfriend leaves him. Ugh, not again. Surprisingly enough it's in it's dramatic scenes when the film is most effective sure there are a few inspired comedy bits the hotel fight was great but most of the jokes fall completely flat. Like the whole flash Gordon reference, a prostitute who defecates on the living room floors and Ted having sex with a turnip and the checkout girl. In fact although I'm not easily offended I couldn't help but be by some of the irresponsible humor in this film. The whole gay underground beat up subplot was insulting and unhelpful to the struggling gay community and some of the jokes just go to far like this whole father and son creep acting just comes off disturbing. That being said I have to give credit where it's due and Mark Wahlberg is a hell of an actor he completely commits himself to whatever role he's playing, Mila Kunis is likable and beautiful as his love interest and the CGI Ted is quite impressive. Never once did I feel like it wasn't real when watching the film even though I was continuously rolling my eyes. So all in all Ted is just another crude, forgettable comedy with a creative spin on it's premise yes but the same old man child movie we've been watching for years. Also I hate that they insulted Superman Returns I loved that film and unlike this one that was critically acclaimed.