We’ve waited so long to see a live action feature from creative genius, Seth MacFarlane. Finally, he’s delivered, and high expectations were generously met. This summer’s release of Ted showcased a plethora of talent in front of- and behind- the camera. Mark Wahlburg leads the cast as John, an unambitious floater in his late twenties with a potty-mouthed talking teddy bear as his best friend. Of course, none other than Seth MacFarlane can voice the stuffed animal with as much charisma. The budding Mila Kunis plays John’s girlfriend, Lori. It’s a basic story of girl wants and deserves more from the relationship/guy has to find a way to grow up before losing the best thing he never knew he had. It’s a classic story that is being told in an impressively unconventional way- which is exactly what MacFarlane is good at.
I’d say it’s no easy task for an actor to really sell the believability of a real-life teddy (being that it’s not a children’s flick) and especially reel in emotional investment from the audience under the circumstances. The cast pulled it off seamlessly. Mark Wahlburg is proving himself to be quite the versatile actor. He’s generally known for his hard-assed dark action roles. He came straight out of The Fighter and Contraband to play a flippant, pot-smoking loser who spends all his time talking to a raunchy teddy bear- and he really makes you believe it. He’s completely convicted, and in return, so was I. But what’s a leading actor without their supporting cast? Mila Kunis plays the more grounded and reasonable character, and she’s turning out to be quite the success. Her versatility between comedy and drama is beginning to flourish, and I look forward to seeing her stretch her talents even further in the future. Also taking part on screen is the very eccentric Giovanni Ribisi in a role that was written, I think, specifically to add that slight tingle of uncanny discomfort that is characteristic of any MacFarlane production.
Speaking of Seth MacFarlane, I’ll start by stating the obvious: I’m a fan. He is assuredly one of the most talented people in the industry today. The dictionary definition for the french cinematic term auteur is “a filmmaker whose individual style and complete control over all elements of production give a film its personal and unique stamp.” Next to it should be a picture of Seth MacFarlane. Writer, director, producer, actor, singer, animator, etc. He submerges all of his incomprehensible talents into everything he does. Given, his humor is always quite racy and isn’t exactly what I’d call “universal”. That aside, his comedic timing is consistently perfect, and his characters always express a variety of personality types to mitigate the lack of universality of his demographic. This is shown especially in Ted. One of the most impressive things about this film is the sprinkling of drama and authenticity in a story so silly and lewd. The movie had a few serious moments, and I found myself silent and attentive accordingly. When the story worked itself into a sad moment, I choked back a fear tears. MacFarlane is truly a mastermind of a writer. He understates himself by creating works of a more unrefined nature- but I urge you not to underestimate the true genius behind his brain-children.
The movie all together is not serious. The plot is somewhat thin. It’s simple, but it’s fun. The comedic formula is typical to MacFarlane, and very similar to the likes of what you would see in an uncensored episode of Family Guy or American Dad. The jokes are always different,- and in my opinion always hilarious- but they always follow the same structures. MacFarlane works are known for their crass political and pop culture references and their abrupt cutaways/flashbacks. Walk into this movie expecting just that. It’s the same old MacFarlane comedic formula. But also keep in mind that this movie wasn’t made with FOX breathing down his neck. There definitely seems to have been more creative freedom in making this movie as opposed to having to appease the television network. I greatly sensed a sort of comedic release in this movie from the creators. So even though it is in a way typical, the movie offers more than the standard comedy to be expected. You don’t watch his shows to discover a deeper meaning to the human condition and reflect on our existentialism. And that’s ok. Sometimes, you just want to laugh unaffectedly. The same goes for the movie. Know this, and you’ll have a good time.
I rate this movie 4.5 out of 5 Monica Lebrewski’s.
I’d say it’s no easy task for an actor to really sell the believability of a real-life teddy (being that it’s not a children’s flick) and especially reel in emotional investment from the audience under the circumstances. The cast pulled it off seamlessly. Mark Wahlburg is proving himself to be quite the versatile actor. He’s generally known for his hard-assed dark action roles. He came straight out of The Fighter and Contraband to play a flippant, pot-smoking loser who spends all his time talking to a raunchy teddy bear- and he really makes you believe it. He’s completely convicted, and in return, so was I. But what’s a leading actor without their supporting cast? Mila Kunis plays the more grounded and reasonable character, and she’s turning out to be quite the success. Her versatility between comedy and drama is beginning to flourish, and I look forward to seeing her stretch her talents even further in the future. Also taking part on screen is the very eccentric Giovanni Ribisi in a role that was written, I think, specifically to add that slight tingle of uncanny discomfort that is characteristic of any MacFarlane production.
Speaking of Seth MacFarlane, I’ll start by stating the obvious: I’m a fan. He is assuredly one of the most talented people in the industry today. The dictionary definition for the french cinematic term auteur is “a filmmaker whose individual style and complete control over all elements of production give a film its personal and unique stamp.” Next to it should be a picture of Seth MacFarlane. Writer, director, producer, actor, singer, animator, etc. He submerges all of his incomprehensible talents into everything he does. Given, his humor is always quite racy and isn’t exactly what I’d call “universal”. That aside, his comedic timing is consistently perfect, and his characters always express a variety of personality types to mitigate the lack of universality of his demographic. This is shown especially in Ted. One of the most impressive things about this film is the sprinkling of drama and authenticity in a story so silly and lewd. The movie had a few serious moments, and I found myself silent and attentive accordingly. When the story worked itself into a sad moment, I choked back a fear tears. MacFarlane is truly a mastermind of a writer. He understates himself by creating works of a more unrefined nature- but I urge you not to underestimate the true genius behind his brain-children.
The movie all together is not serious. The plot is somewhat thin. It’s simple, but it’s fun. The comedic formula is typical to MacFarlane, and very similar to the likes of what you would see in an uncensored episode of Family Guy or American Dad. The jokes are always different,- and in my opinion always hilarious- but they always follow the same structures. MacFarlane works are known for their crass political and pop culture references and their abrupt cutaways/flashbacks. Walk into this movie expecting just that. It’s the same old MacFarlane comedic formula. But also keep in mind that this movie wasn’t made with FOX breathing down his neck. There definitely seems to have been more creative freedom in making this movie as opposed to having to appease the television network. I greatly sensed a sort of comedic release in this movie from the creators. So even though it is in a way typical, the movie offers more than the standard comedy to be expected. You don’t watch his shows to discover a deeper meaning to the human condition and reflect on our existentialism. And that’s ok. Sometimes, you just want to laugh unaffectedly. The same goes for the movie. Know this, and you’ll have a good time.
I rate this movie 4.5 out of 5 Monica Lebrewski’s.
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