Movie Review: Is ‘Ted 2’ As Funny As the First?

After finding the love of his life, Ted (Seth Macfarlane) is now ready to get married. He and
Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) are getting married and John (Mark Wahlberg) is his best man. Unfortunately for John, his marriage didn’t last long and he’s been out of the game too long. After Ted gets married, someone notices his paperwork and the fact that he’s not a real human being. Hence forth, he’s stripped of any rights because he’s technically considered property. With the help of Samantha (Amanda Seyfried), Ted and John are going to court to determine whether or not he’s a person.

Ted and Tami-Lynn learn that Ted is not actually a person in the eyes of the courts.

Ted 2 is essentially just like the first film in its presentation and sequenced storytelling, so if you liked the first one you’re probably going to like this. I was a big fan of the first installment in this possible franchise, so I was more than happy when I got to see this film. It’s pretty by the numbers and plays out like a live version of Family Guy, except I don’t think this one was better than the first. There’s certainly something to enjoy, but a lacking story and bits that don’t work keep this film from being all that great.

Seth Macfarlane is a man who is often dividing critics and audience members. His long running shows Family Guy and American Dad have offered politics, vulgar humor, and odd hilarity for over a decade and his jump to the big screen has been interesting. Ted is such a unique character because he’s often defying audience expectations with what he does and says. This time around Macfarlane plays him with more emotion, but he doesn’t forget to make a lovable looking Teddy Bear a filthy animal. Much like an episode of Family Guy, there are minute long bits that come out of nowhere and they either work incredibly well, or they flatline. Either way, Macfarlane as Ted always kept me laughing.

John and Ted need to lawyer up.

Marky Mark, leader of the funky bunch and Boston native, is back doing his schtick and it works incredibly well for him too. His almost exaggerated Boston accent and tendencies match up perfectly with the feel of the film and there are a lot of unexpected moments where he shines. It helps that alongside him is Amanda Seyfried, whom the film openly states looks like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Seyfried comes into this film and it’s as if she were always best friends with these guys. She’s smoking weed with them in the off-time and is learning more about Ted as she spends more time with him. Of course, she and Wahlberg have to have a relationship budding, but they have great chemistry and they’re fun together.

The humor in this film is all over the place, ranging from harmless to absurdly offensive. There
are also a plethora of jokes involving weed, but that’s standard fare for our thunder buddies.
Much of the humor delves into the obscurity of naming a person and discussing something
hideous they look like, or citing old events which were comical. There are also two characters
who go to comicon just to beat up “nerds” and it all feels rather mean and unnecessary.

John and Samantha embrace.

Like an episode of Family Guy (which I’ve admittedly seen all the episodes at least once), this film feels similar in the style. You’ll have an overarching theme, but you can bet that every character gets a little side story and there will be jump cuts to set up jokes aplenty. Some episodes have me nearly dying of laughter, while others have me waiting for some silly bit to be over. Most find a balance of laugh-out-loud jokes and overdone one’s, much like this film. The beauty of the first Ted film (did I just say that?) is that it felt authentic and stood apart from the television shows that Macfarlane makes. It had bits and pieces sprinkled though, but it was independent and a step in the right direction. Here, Ted 2 almost feels like a step back because it feels like a mediocre episode of Family Guy.

Ted 2 definitely has its moments and you’re bound to laugh at some point, but depending on the
drive I might say that you can wait for this one on DVD. Of course, many people will go flock to
the theaters to see it, so just keep in mind that it’s not entirely what you may be expecting.
MacFarlane and Wahlberg make a great duo together, but it’s the story that bogs things down
(which I get is less of an issue for people when seeing a comedy). I’m not sure if they needed
this sequel and I don’t believe they need to go the route of the third, but if you liked the first film
enough then maybe you should go see this.