Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Seth McFarlane and Amanda Seyfried
Directed by: Seth McFarlane
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 55 mins
Universal
Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars
When we last left our furry pal, Ted, he had just been rescued from a demented bear-napper by his best friend John. As the credits rolled, the future looked bright for the two pals. Fast forward three years….
As we reunite with Ted (McFarlane), we join him as he is about to be married to his cashier girlfriend Tami Lynn (Jessica Barth). With a service presided by none other than Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones) himself, things should be swinging. But sadly, John (Wahlberg) is down in the dumps, having married and divorced Mila Kunis between films. Life continues to go on until, after some very hilarious mishaps trying to artificially conceive a child, Ted and Tami Lynn decide to adopt. This brings Ted to the attention of the authorities who have, until now, not bothered with him. However, now that he wants to be a parent, the state announces that Ted is property, not human, making him unable to adopt. John convinces Ted to take his matter to court and they hire brand new attorney Samantha L. Jackson. What will the verdict be?
As funny as the first film, though a little slow towards the end, “Ted 2” is everything you were probably expecting and more. Starting with the film’s lush, Busby Berkley-style musical opening, the film delivers surprise after surprise. Wahlberg is once again sweet and charming as John while McFarlane makes Ted the most lovable bear to hit the big screen since Winnie the Pooh got his head stuck in the Honey Pot. The supporting cast, including Patrick Warburton and Michael Dorn, get to have plenty of fun as well, as do the many stars making cameo appearances, including Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno and a very disturbing Liam Neeson, who will make you look at breakfast cereal in a whole other light! And for NFL fans, there’s a very funny bit with Tom Brady who, ironically, is having his suspension appeal heard this week. At least the guy has a sense of humor.
The laughs come free and easy and McFarlane paces them well. Again, the film does drag a little in the last hour but by then you can probably use a break from all the laughing you’ve done.