Ted 2

Ted 2 is the direct sequel to 2011’s Ted.  Ted 2 is again directed and written by Seth MacFarlane.  This sequel tells the story of the foul mouthed teddy bear’s fight to be considered human so that he can be allowed to adopt a child with his new wife Tammy.  The allies in Ted’s crusade are his best friend John (Mark Wahlberg) and his lawyer Samantha L. Jackson (Amanda Seyfriend).  Giovanni Ribisi again portrays the main villain who is out to capture Ted and replicate what special trait allows him the ability to be alive.

Ted as a franchise always has the ability to be humorous if you completely shut off your brain and allow yourself to be charmed by MacFarlane’s brand of humor.  The early escapades of Ted and company are deeply entertaining as it is nice to catch up with these characters after a three year absence.  The best early laugh comes from the film’s opening credits when Ted is performing a 1930’s Hollywood musical.  Macfarlane clearly has a fondness for that period of filmmaking and as well as he should as he has proven that outside of filmmaking he could clearly have a career as a well-received jazz crooner.

The problem with this particular film is that all it provides is gross humor and some fondness for characters people initially found interesting.  I feel that Macfarlane’s sweet spot of humor is when he blends social commentary with nostalgic humor.  Examples of that blend can be found in Ted (2012) the predecessor to this mildly disappointing sequel and Family Guy (1999).  The film stumbles when Samantha L Jackson comes into the picture.  While her presence is pleasant she really only is there to give Wahlberg’s John a love interest after the departure of Mila Kunis’s Lori from the first film.  There are very few new story elements that are a part of Ted 2 and that may be the film’s biggest issue because by the film’s end there’s nothing that makes me want to see these characters next journey whether it be drug fueled or not.  The jokes involving Ted taking drugs are not only familiar but pointless as both characters are supposed to be maturing in some way but that level of evolution seemingly seems too far-fetched for Macfarlane to consider.

There are bright spots in this sequel which make it entertaining and enjoyable.  The majority of fun from the film comes in the form of cameos from celebrities.  The joke involving Tom Brady is hilarious and so is the visit to the sperm bank to allow John the opportunity to donate his sperm for Tammy to be able to conceive.  People will enjoy Ted for his lack of maturity because in some ways the character does what most people wish they could do which is ignore the pressures of life and live for enjoyment.  This is the film’s best trait because Ted 2 allows audiences to let go just for a little while.

Ted 2 can be funny but it relies too heavily on old jokes to tell its story.  If there is a third adventure for Ted, I’d love to see what happens when Ted has to parent a toddler.  Parenting a toddler may finally force the bear child to grow up.