Raunchy comedy surprising funny

Rating: 6/10 (27 June 2012)

I went into this film with much trepidation, considering it emanated from the mind of Seth McFarlane, the creator of "Family Guy," a once hilarious animated program that has since become nothing but a left-wing propaganda piece with McFarlane himself nothing more than a shill for the Democratic Party.
Even trying to atone himself with "American Dad" and "The Cleveland Show" earned less than stellar repentance points. Still, not one to prematurely judge, I tramped to the screening with a (somewhat) open mind.
And, to my pleasant surprise, I really enjoyed this comedy based on no small part much of the earlier "Family Guy" vibes. In short, this is one of the few comedies released in the past few years that will make you laugh. It ill make you laugh out loud in some spots and, with so many unfunny movies disguised as comedies being released today, this earns my solid recommendation.
In a spirit of generosity, McFarlane also gives employment to many of his television show staff, including Mila Kunis (voice of Meg Griffith), Patrick Warburton (voice of Joe the Cop), Alex Borstein (voice of Lois Griffith) and Patrick Stewart (the narrator and voice of the CIA Director in "American Dad").
"Ted" tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg, "Contraband"), who, as a boy (played by Bretton Manley), receives a Teddy Bear for Christmas back in 1985. Lonely and friendless, he makes a solemn wish that the toy would be his friend forever. And, of course, in movies like this, the wish comes true and the bear comes to life â€” complete with the voice of Peter Griffith (McFarlane).
Amazed (and almost shocked to death), the parents (Ralph Garman and Borstein) grudgingly accept the miracle of a living stuffed animal, while Ted becomes famous for a while, appearing on the covers of dozens of national magazines and the subject of many TV and radio interviews. Included in this is a great clip of his "appearance" on the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" (think "Forrest Gump," here).
Later, though, in the advent of instantaneous journalism and as he grows older, he is subjected to more embarrassing moments (such as a public arrest in an airport for smuggling "mushrooms"). John does not age any better and the duo spend much of their adult lives getting drunk, high and watching reruns of the old "Flash Gordon" TV series.
Barely making a living at a rent-a-car office, John somehow attracts the beautiful and successful Lori (Kunis), but despite an amazing amount of tolerance for her boyfriend's situation (not many women would continue to endure his vapidness, immaturity and complete irresponsibility), she finally has enough, giving him the ultimatum: the bear or me.
Meanwhile, John and his toy meet "Flash Gordon's" Sam J. Jones in a hilarious party scene, while a darker subplot concerns a father (Giovanni Ribisi, "Contraband") and son who want to kidnap Ted.
The laughs come a-mile-a-minute, some heartier than others. Plus, with a few surprising cameos along the way, as well as loving pokes at past and present American pop culture, I have to admit that director McFarlane, who also co-wrote with fellow "Family Guy" scribbler, Alec Sulkin, has a real winner here.
The premise of a living Teddy Bear, albeit one which goes from saying "I love you" to one that snorts coke and wrecks hotel rooms, is certainly pretty dumb, but the fun harvested here is well worth the 106 minutes spent in the theater watching this film.