Seth MacFarlane’s latest adult animation follows the lives of John Bennet and his best friend/stuffed bear, Ted. Now grown up, Ted’s celebrity status as the worlds only talking stuffed toy has worn off, so he resides comfortably, but certainly not quietly, with John and his girlfriend of four years played by actress Mila Kunis. A grown man sharing beer and bong-hits with his bear is less than ideal for Bennet’s beloved and she offers him an ultimatum. The plot then takes an sinister and unexpected twist which, after all the laughs and lurid behaviour, still manages to bring a tear to your eye.
Ted - mans' best friend
Fortunately, MacFarlane’s synergy of satire and slapstick comedy work well leaving the audience with plenty of laughs, some nervous, some genuine. I was surprised at the amount of heart-warming character moments. Finding myself relating to a magical-talking-dope-atticted teddy was, at points, disconcerting. Forever pushing the boundaries in television, MacFarlane does the same on the big screen, and at points knocks them over. The film is definitely not for everyone and is certainly not for the easily offended. But if you’re interested in watching a stuffed bear do cocaine and dry-hump his checkout till, then you’ll have no problems stomaching other shenanigans aimed to shock, they may just make you look at your stuffed animals in a whole new light.
The scene to scene narrative elements are predictable, but considering they revolve around a recalcitrant talking Teddy Bear, you do get your moneys worth. Stuffed with eighties references and toilet humour, any ‘Family Guy’ fanatic will find themselves right at home watching MacFarlane’s newest fuzzy creation. And if your not a fan, you will be kicking yourself for laughing in nearly every scene. A good-time watch, I say go for it!
