Film review: Ted (4 out of 5 stars)

Director: Seth MacFarlane

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane

It’s simple - if you enjoy Family Guy then you’ll most likely love Ted.

There’s the same mix of subtle asides and unsubtle visual jokes, just cranked up a notch or two (and in the case of a couple of scenes taken to the limit).

In fact, it feels on occasions as if Family Guy creator and Ted’s writer and director Seth MacFarlane has been let off the leash.

As with his TV creation, though, some of the jokes are aimed at a US audience so miss the mark over here.

The plot starts with young John Bennett getting a teddy for Christmas. He wishes it could be his friend forever and a miracle happens, Ted comes alive.

Years pass and John (Mark Wahlberg) grows up and is still friends with his toy, who is now a pot smoking, beer drinking, potty-mouthed individual.

The trouble is that John lives with his girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis) but Ted is pretty much out of control, creating all kinds of conflicts.

A simple story and you pretty much know where it’s going throughout the movie.

However, in the tradition of many of these ‘gross-out’ comedies there are some great cameo roles from actors and personalities who seem happy to join in the fun.

Kunis has had far meatier roles than this and it could be argued (very easily) that Ted is a lad’s movie.

Wahlberg reveals a very good comic touch that, hopefully, will be explored again in the future.

MacFarlane as Ted, though, has all the best lines, even though on occasions you might cringe and think to yourself ‘did he really say that?’

Steve Payne

Screening courtesy of Cineworld Crawley