No matter how much integrity people would like to expect from movies, there's no denying that it's hard to make a comedy that people can be marveled at. As the internet progressively gives more people information and creating a pop-cultured centered, savvy generation ready to be entertained, comedy writers have to step up their game to meet the demands. That's where Seth Macfarlane comes in. As he soon took over television with his Simpsons-esque show "Family Guy," he became a new voice for comedy. Mixing in traditional characterizations with series of pop-culture jokes that both have enraptured and offended people; there's no denying Macfarlane's boldness in pushing the envelope in propelling the racist and crude humor that has made him a voice in the entertainment world. Now, given his directing card, he is ready to not only showcase his true comedic self, but experiment with a concept so thin and almost daring, that could show a new level of comedic gold to be had. Quite frankly put, "Ted" is exactly that statement. With a wicked smart script co-written by Macfarlane and Family Guy writers Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild, underneath all the racist, dirty, unadulterated jokes lies a character that truly showcases the face of comedy in today's world.
From how people joke at the trailers given, "Ted" is almost a live-action version of the Family Guy show, just elongated into an hour and half film with a character that encapsulates both the brutish and shameless behavior that given a new body and a whimsical charm make the inanimate object Ted, a fun, nonsensical, unabashed, appalling and crowd-pleasing character that is sure to marvel people of all ages.
As "Ted" opens up like any classical fairy tale, on Christmas Eve, 8-year old John Bennet yearning for a best friend to call his own, wishes for his new present; a stuffed teddy bear, to come alive. Like all wishes (at least when concerning movies), the bear comes alive and that immediately starts off the friendship both John and Ted will have for the next 27 years. Now, a much older John (Mark Whalberg) is a directionless, unmotivated slacker that spends his time joining Ted's shenanigans of getting high, watching re-runs of Flash Gordon and participating in child-like behavior. However, John's girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis) after 4 years of faithfulness kindly pleads for John to put away childish things and asking him to grow up, ultimately having Ted move out and grow up as well. As John is apprehensive to the idea, he is caught in a predicament of his best friend or future partner.
Of course, undeniably, this is Teds film as Seth Macfarlane provides both the voice and body animation done via motion capture. But Ted is a character that while is crude, racist, irresponsible, vulgar, coarse character, is never degraded to a point of being unlikeable. As it must have been hard to write a character as broad as Ted, Macfarlane finds the right tone between annoying and charming as Ted doesn't think before he speaks, but doesn't make him out to be egotisitcal or snarky. Ted is the main attraction and he certainly delivers. His jokes and overall dialogue is consistently funny and offensive but never caters to the whims of the audience's demands. In fact, the script in general is more centered on pop-culture humor mixed from both today's culture and cheesy 80s that it makes for some laugh-out-loud moment of unexpected hilarity. While it does become vulgar at times where it's not a necessity, it fits with the overall general characterization of Ted as being a charming, lovable, crudely indecent person. Added to that, the impecable craftmanship and animaition done to bring Ted to life is to be commended. Never is there a moment does Ted seem flaky or unreal, in fact, an astounding sequence of both John and Ted having a hotel room brawl is seamless and wonderfully edited to where it's jaw-dropping how Macfarlane and his crew put it together.
The writing is top-notch as far as comedy goes. Macfarlane is more than just an actor who can do voices or write some clever, fun and nostalgic dialogue, but he can convince and pull an audience in with a plot that whole may seem formulaic, it delivers what the audience want; and that is a hilarious time at the movies. But while Macfarlane's direction is commendable, his third act and what seem promising supporting characters become just vehicles for more one liners rather and clever jokes rather than being germane to the plot of giving a sense of depth to the world in "Ted". Actors like Patrick Warburton and Joel McHale who obviously are humorously talented, are given miniscule scenes with small material to work with. And a sub-plot involving a creepy Giovanni Ribisi wanting to own Ted for his even more creepily, disturbing son seemed more crow-barred in than being vital to the film, which is why the third act seems more quick and less thought given than the first two acts. But thankfully, the writing can still shine with Ted making unpleasant situations all the more comical.
"Ted" isn't catering towards an audience. It knows the fans of Macfarlane and Family Guy will appreciate it's impudent, unashamed, depraved and low-brow humor that could even appeal to a vaster audience just simply cause of the main attraction being a talking teddy bear. From the minute it starts out with a brilliantly written narration by Patrick Steward to a series of gags and pop culture references to classic 80s memorabilia including two very hilariously unexpected cameos and up to its last uproarious punch-in-the-gut blow to a famous celebrity, "Ted" takes no prisoners. It's offensive for the sake of being offensive and with the smart writing given to a thin premise with charming performances from its main leads, Macfarlane can be assured that he has made what is probably the funniest movie of the year, and one that will be hard to beat.
Rating: A- by Amritpal Rai
Great. Will check it out. Everyone's praising it.
ReplyDeleteIf you're into Family Guy, you'll definitely love it! But even if you're not into it, You'll still find a lot of parts hilarious.
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