By Say what you will about Seth MacFarlane, but the man knows how to stay in business. Despite many critics noting a decline in all of his television programs and his last effort A Million Ways to Die in the West died a million ways in the box office, he still churns out products that make money. Which is why the original Ted was such a surprise. Although it had some unfortunate bits, Ted was a passion project that felt more genuine than anything MacFarlane had produced to that point.
Unfortunately, like Ted the bear himself, Ted 2 has no heart. A shallow, overwrought film full of non-sequiturs, corporate sponsorship, f**ks, and semen. So it’s basically like everything else MacFarlane churns out now.
Ted 2
Director: Seth MacFarlane
Rated: R
Release Date: June 26, 2015
In Ted 2, Ted the Teddy Bear (Seth MacFarlane) gets married and wants to start a family. But when he and Tammy-Lynn file for a potential surrogacy, Ted learns he’s legally defined as property. Since he’s not a person, he loses his job, his marriage is annulled, and he loses all manner of rights. He and his “Thunder Buddy” John (Mark Wahlberg) decide to fight the decision, enlisting the help of newly licensed lawyer, Sam Jackson (Amanda Seyfried). Then the film is filled with some marijuana infused shenanigans. dick jokes, and the occasional court scene as Ted tries to prove that he’s truly human.
We try our best at Flixist to keep you folks out of the back end, but I’ve got to come at this straight on. Somehow, in some weird way, I’m always the one reviewing comedy sequels. Time and time again, I end up making the same point that one person’s comedy trash is another person’s comedy treasure. But I think I don’t have to reiterate it with Ted 2. I’m sure everyone, regardless of taste in humor, will universally find the humor lacking. While most comedies will mine the humor from the story as the plot finds the funny in interactions between characters, this film relies on non-sequiturs. I’d hate to once again compare this film to other stuff MacFarlane’s done, but like A Million Ways, Ted 2 has a lot of Family Guy sensibilities. Very little plot tied together with jokes that don’t really belong. In fact, there’s even a sperm donor joked ripped right from that show.
What’s most unfortunate is there are definitely a few core concepts that would’ve worked wonders for the film had they been explored a bit further. Sure, I’m not supposed to expect some grand dissection of civil rights in the US but you can’t present the idea as a major theme of the film and not elaborate on it further. It makes every tangent even more egregious. But I’m not sure how we wasted so much time since the film far out runs its course about two thirds of the way in. There are plenty of unfunny bits that could’ve been trimmed for time (most notably the scene in the trailers where they try and masturbate Tom Brady in order to steal his sperm), and lots of random side characters that could’ve been axed for brevity (like the overly bro gay couple that never go deeper than surface level “I hate nerds” jokes). And those corporate sponsorships? Did we really need a Hasbro executive as one of the villains or a final climax set at New York Comic Con?
If you were a fan of original like I was, I’m sure you’re wondering whether or not the rapport between John and Ted is still strong. I’m happy to report that it’s stronger than ever. One of the film’s few redeeming qualities, Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane have settled into a groove that rarely feels forced. Although the writing between the two was better the first time around, the new routines the two show off are pretty funny. Although they’re more examples of jokes that don’t pertain to the plot (like the Law & Order or improv heckling gags), it doesn’t matter when they’re entertaining. Besides, Ted trying to get John back into the dating scene is a better fit for their quasi bro relationship. It’s a shame that Amanda Seyfried gets dragged into this (I’m sure it’s because of some favor or she genuinely enjoys working with MacFarlane for some reason) since all her character amounts to is a weed smoking failure who needs to ask for help from men more established in their careers.
With Ted 2 you get what you expect. Don’t have expectations, and you won’t be disappointed. I’m just tired of that criticism being an easy out for lazy comedy. This film just reeks of the same kind of absentmindedness you’d get from using the drug Ted loves so much. Caught in a haze of thick smoke, the humor struggles for air as joke after joke fails to land. Sure, you’ll get one or two laughs overall but Ted 2 seriously lacks the humanity it wants you to believe it has.
There better not be a Ted 3 in the works.