0
0
In 2012, writer, director, and comic Seth MacFarlane introduced audiences to a hard-partying talking teddy bear in .nightsandweekends.com/articles/12/NW1200231.php>Ted. The crude comedy became a surprise hit—which, of course, necessitated a sequel. But while the comedy is just as outrageous in Ted 2, the appeal just isn’t the same.
Ted 2 finds the foul-mouthed teddy bear (voiced by MacFarlane) married to the love of his life, Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth). When, after just a year, their marriage begins to fall apart, Ted becomes convinced that having a baby will strengthen their bond. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done for a talking teddy bear. And things get even worse when they try to adopt and the government rules that Ted isn’t actually a person—and, as such, he can’t have a job, get married, or start a family. His only hope is to hire a cheap lawyer and fight for his rights.
Like most sequels, Ted 2 tries really hard to capitalize on the things that made its predecessor a surprise hit. Unfortunately, though, Ted’s greatest appeal was the sheer novelty of a talking teddy bear who loves booze, drugs, and hookers—and that novelty wore off even before the first movie came to an end. It’s no longer shockingly funny to see a teddy bear spouting out obscenities—because we’ve seen it before.
In the first film, meanwhile, it was Mark Wahlberg’s aimless misfit, John, who carried the film when Ted’s shtick got old. And while he’s still the same lovable loser—now attempting to recover from his recent divorce—his role in the sequel is reduced, taking with it some of the original film’s charm.
Of course, if you loved the immature stoner comedy of the first Ted, you’ll find more of the same here. It has a handful of laugh-out-loud moments—including a random but hilariously stone-faced cameo by Liam Neeson—but other gags either fall flat or go on much longer than necessary. Most of the humor is crude and idiotic, with a strong focus on bodily functions and topics that seem to have been specifically chosen to shock and offend—despite the fact that the kind of people who would be shocked and offended by this kind of humor wouldn’t dream of seeing a Seth MacFarlane movie in the first place.
If you enjoy MacFarlane’s brand of comedy, you’re sure to enjoy his latest adventure, too. But, now that the novelty of his talking teddy bear has worn off, the rambling story and juvenile sense of humor make it the kind of movie that only a fan can love.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
