Review: Ted

Plot:  On Christmas Day 1985 lonely and friendless eight year old John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) wishes for his teddy bear to come alive.  Miraculously it does and for 27 years through celebrity appearances, drug busts, multiple jobs, and plenty of pot induced viewings of Flash Gordon, Ted (voiced by Seth Macfarlane) and John stay the best of friends.  However, John's longtime girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis) becomes increasingly disenchanted with John and Ted's inability to grow up and become more responsible.  Eventually John realizes he may have to choose between his best friend and the love of his life.

Review:  I can't begin to overstate how hilarious, how laugh-out-loud funny, how incredibly entertaining director Seth Macfarlane's debut film Ted is.  It's easily the funniest film I've seen since The Hangover and maybe one of the funniest ever. 
     Many naysayers were weary that MacFarlane bit off more than he could chew.  Not only did he star in and direct Ted but he also wrote co-wrote the script and co-produced the movie.  Taking on that many hats can often be a recipe for disaster.  In this case it is a recipe for hilarity and if this is the type of comedy we can expect from Mr. MacFarlane going forward, the world will be better for it.
     Obviously one of the key components of any film involves the suspension of disbelief which, when it comes to a talking teddy bear, can be quite difficult.  In Ted John's parents and the rest of the world react with disbelief, fear, and amazement.  Ted becomes instantly famous and appears on magazines and the Johnny Carson show.  Eventually however the novelty wears off and as Patrick Stewart (who narrates the film) says, "But like the careers of Corey Haim and Corey Feldman eventually no one gives a shit."  Not only does this reflect perfectly the attitude of society in the late 20th/early 21st century, it makes the suspension of disbelief that much easier to bear.  (Pun definitely intended!)
     And the funny aspects of the film?  Let's see.  There is a coked out Sam J. Jones (the star of 1980's Flash Gordon and a huge influence on John and Ted's lives) partying with Ted and John.  The relationship between Ted and his white trash Boston girlfriend Tammy-Lynn make for plenty of hilarious moments.  Joel McHale plays Rex, a hilarious rival to John as Lori's boss, and the interaction between John and Rex makes for one of the funniest one liners I've ever heard before.  In fact there are so many one liners, inappropriate comedy, Snuggles the Bear and Teddy Ruxpin jokes, and hilarious moments that I don't want to reveal too much lest it ruin the film for others.  Suffice it to say that MacFarlane's script is spot on.  There's even a part for an uber-creepy Giovanni Ribisi who wants to buy Ted.
     I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the fantastic chemistry between Wahlberg, Kunis, and MacFarlane.  All three are at the top of their game and the three way dynamic is awesome.  The love shared between John and Lori is just as palpable and believable as the love and friendship between Ted and John.  And wonder of wonders Mark Wahlberg (often known for his action roles) manages to be incredibly funny in this film.
      In my opinion Ted will eventually become a cult classic comedy like Fletch.  It's definitely a movie that bears rewatching if for no other reason than I was laughing so hard sometimes that I missed jokes.  Even if you're not a "Family Guy" fan I dare you to not leave the theater with side splitting pains in your gut. 

My rating:  9/10