For me, it was Bright Pink...don't laugh. Bright Pink was my stuffed animal toy. He was the best security blanket and friend that a boy could have between the ages of three and uh...well, let's not go there. Bright Pink stands about a foot long. He's chubby and his bright pink, slightly furry coat has dulled a little over time. While I don't remember a specific moment wherein I dreamed of little Bright Pink coming to life, I'm sure I did and I'm confident that you had similar experiences. It's a rite of passage of sorts, right? So is Ted.
Ted is teddy bear and sole best friend of seven year old John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg). Not being the most popular kid on his Boston block has left lil John wishing that his teddy bear would come to life. As luck would have it, his wish meets a shooting star that carries his dream to reality. Viola...Ted comes to life and quickly emerges as a pop culture sensation. Unfortunately, as the movie so promptly points out, whether you are one of the New Kids on the Block, Justin Bieber or a talking teddy bear, eventually the novelty wears off and nobody gives a F%$k! True. This has left John and Ted to grow into a fairly normal life. John works for a rental car company and Ted remains focused on his own purpose, which is being the best darn BFF to John he can be! Actually, that's his only focus, so Ted thinks nothing of persuading John to stay home from work to smoke pot, or skip out on his girlfriend's big work party in order to meet their long-time hero Sam Jones. While Ted is certainly nailing the best friend role, his constant friendship has lured John into a trap that has prevented him from growing up. So, his girlfriend of four years, Laurie (Mila Kunis), decides to put her foot down. Yadayadayada...John and Laurie party ways with Ted...or try to...on their way of realizing exactly what they mean to each other.
This one wasn't really on my radar during the waves of trailers and pub that I saw, but Ted was good. Very good! I'll go with 4.0 Stars for lil Ted. This is one of those flicks that provide equal opportunity insulting--it will find a way to offend everyone, if you care enough to let it. It's a fantastical story, sure; but it's told in a very tongue-in-cheek way that truly entertains.
The characters are all likeable, which helps you build that much-needed connection. Mark Wahlberg's third entry into the comedy genre proves quite successful. Actually, The Other Guys was his first effort in a starring role in a comedy and the star best known for action/adventure/drama has proven surprisingly funny. Some tough guys can't pull off funny. The Other Guys seemed to be an exception, because he played a serious NYPD cop, who just happened to have shot Derek Jeter (not good, unless you're living in Boston). At any rate, he's funny here. Mila was born funny, so no worries there. Even Ted is likeable in spite of himself. Yeah, sometimes you want to slap him, but that's kind of the point that is supposed to open the door for all of that funny.
Then again, that's Seth MacFarlane, the mastermind behind this flick. You know him from Family Guy and American Dad, those animated series that are anything but family-friendly cartoons. His irreverent humor was definitely the draw for this flick, prompting a packed Sunday night crowd comprised mainly of college students (although a family of five with three kids under ten seemed mightily misplaced for this one) on its way to an opening weekend win last week.
If you're a card carrying member of the Religious Right, you might want to skip this one completely. Actually, you'll probably pass out watching a teddy bear puff on a bong or make out with three hookers. For those of us who see the hilarity in such insane events, see it and see it BIG. You'll laugh...you might even cry and you'll definitely dig out your version of Bright Pink and make a wish or two.
True...OUT!
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