Ted 2

Ted 2 answers the question of how much mileage can actually be extracted from a trash-talking, pot-smoking, sexually deviant teddy bear. The answer: more than anyone would expect. Astonishingly, the movie is actually funnier than its prequel, but that is only because it is a different kind of film altogether. In Ted 2, Seth MacFarlane abandons what little restraint he showed in Ted, releasing the reins and unapologetically resorting to his natural style of random, fast-paced jokes that may or may not have any relevance to what is occurring in the plot. However, this is what MacFarlane does best, and it is better to see him wholeheartedly embrace his essence as a comedic writer than to attempt to falteringly construct a meaningful story. Having said that, there is a caveat: any story written to be subservient to its jokes will be inherently limited, and this is where Ted 2 falls down.

The story follows Ted’s attempt to be legally recognised as a person, exploring the grey area that covers the extent to which any sentient being can be regarded as property. However, this potentially fascinating concept is handled with as much delicacy as a pneumatic drill handles tarmac. The subject and story, having been so relentlessly hammered with jokes, loses all meaning. Of course, this is a comedy and its primary objective is to elicit laughter, an objective that it undeniably achieves with great success. However, after showing such disrespect for the story themselves, the creators cannot expect the audience to invest at all in the characters’ journey. The movie is simply a plethora of jokes with a storyline woven around them, and the viewers find themselves in constant anticipation for the next gag, quickly losing patience when it is not forthcoming.

Having said this, it should not be doubted that Seth MacFarlane is a master of comedy. Of course, comedy is subjective, but all those who enjoy MacFarlane’s random cutaways, witty pop-culture references and sporadic flights of fancy will find this film thoroughly enjoyable. The cutaways, almost certainly taken straight from Family Guy, work surprisingly well in live-action format, and some of the cameo appearances from various celebrities are hilarious. Overall, Ted 2 is a rapid succession of generally very funny jokes. However, since it is the jokes that take priority, the film drags towards the end when the writers become obliged to tie up its story, almost out of necessity that this be called “a film” and not an elongated episode of Family Guy.

Joel Stern

TED 2 is released nationwide on 8^th July 2015.

Watch the trailer for Ted 2 here: