A cuddly but naughty buddy

Ted (2012)
Certified: 18
Duration: 106 minutes
Directed by: Seth MacFarlane
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth McFarlane, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel McHale, Patrick Warburton
Narrated by: Patrick Stewart
KRS release

Director Seth MacFarlane, the creator of such controversial TV fare as Family Guy and American Dad, delivers a very funny and irreverent movie.

The end result is that you laugh despite your best efforts not to laugh at the antics of a teddy bear- Johan Galea

He milks the basic premise of this film for all its worth, showing he can be both sensitive and mischievous at the same time.

In its own way, this story of a teddy bear, that is into all kinds of naughtiness, and his immature owner is a hoot but it also delivers several undertones which give the film an added dimension.

At the start of the film, we meet an eight-year-old boy named John who has no friends, is very shy and spends all his time with his teddy bear Ted (voice of Seth MacFarlane).

At one point, after he makes a wish, Ted comes alive and becomes John’s best friend.

Twenty-seven years later, John (now played by Mark Wahlberg) has become inseparable from the soft toy with whom he spends a lot of time smoking pot and watching the 1978 film Flash Gordon. This does not sit well with his girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis).

When John realises he could lose Lori, he tries to distance himself from Ted and cut the chord once and for all.

He pushes Ted to go and live on his own but for this is never going to be easy and choosing between Ted and Lori is nerve-wracking.

Meanwhile, Ted is stalked by Donny (Giovanni Ribisi).

Seth MacFarlane’s touch is all over the movie and he makes reference to many films. Flash Gordon is the main film that is referenced but Airplane and Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom also get nods. The film also has a guest appearance from the star of Flash Gordon, Sam Jones.

However, the film’s strength lies in the referencing to 1980s pop culture.

There are also some nice cameos from the likes of singer Norah Jones and actor Ryan Reynolds.

After starring in so many serious roles, Mr Wahlberg surprises us with his light-hearted performance.

It is not easy playing best friend to a cute, irreverent, cuddly CGI-created teddy bear but he pulls it off.

Meanwhile, Mila Kunis is believable in her role and Giovanni Ribisi is genuinely disturbing. Patrick Stewart’s narration is aimed to make you smile.

The humour on show is aimed to make you giggle and blush. The non-politically correct script seems to be on a roll as much as a naughty teenager who has just been given the chance to do whatever he wants.

The end result is that you will laugh despite your best efforts not to laugh at the antics of a teddy bear.

It is the way Mr MacFarlane builds and plays on the idea of the cuddly bear aimed for the “ooohhhs” and “aaahhhs” of young children, to then twist the concept that will have you breaking into laughs. I am really curious to see what is next for this director now that he has had his first taste of box-office success.