Ted
It seemed a good option to change, quite radically, for the sort of movie I have been watching lately. Besides, a comedy that was advertised as “
Family Guy” gets “flesh & bone” seemed a pretty interesting choice. I’m not the biggest fan of the show (in my opinion, it’s pretty disjointed and uneven), but I do admit it’s hilarious, irreverent (mocking about everything and everyone is a healthy thing imo) and surreal.
And ”
Ted” is “
Family Guy” or “
American Dad” indeed. A nice attempt to make a movie that could mix realistic characters with that sort of brutally surreal and let’s admit it, really funny, impossible situations that are the show's trademark. Of course, the “Family Guy” most obvious factor is Ted, the teddy bear, a
mix between Brian and Stewie Griffin from “Family Guy” and Roger from “American Dad”. Motion-capture animation has allowed Seth MacFarlane (creator of both shows) to take his recurrent character that “shouldn't behave like humans but behaves like one” to the next level.
With that being said, "Ted" is a
story about growing up, a premise that is quite frequent on the so-called “
New American comedy”. Along with our peculiar teddy bear, now we have John Bennett, played by
Mark Wahlberg, who is basically a 35 years old guy with a spectacular Peter Pan’s syndrome. Go figure, his best friend still is a teddy bear. The story development is simple. John would need to do something with his life, also forced by his girlfriend, played by
Mila Kunis, who wants their relationship to move on. But that would mean change his friendship-for-life relationship with Ted. And there the problems and crazy situations begin.
It is clear the story itself is not original, and some parts, in particular in what refers to some secondary roles and the “kidnapping” subplot, never achieve its promise and feel out of place. MacFarlane clearly keeps the focus on John and Lori, and how Ted’s seem to be in the middle of them. But the script survives thanks to the "heart" on the love-story between them, as the situations might be silly, unbelievable and “ridiculous”, but both Wahlberg and Kunis seem very real in the exposure of their feelings, and, of course, because of the
amount of hilarious situations. Pop culture references, job seeking, celebrities cameos, violence, drug abuse, sex and profanity coming from the mouth and actions of the most adorable teddy bear. Surprisingly, all this mixture works quite well, conforming a film that looks more cohesive than expected. “
Ted” is
not a succession of sketches.
It shouldn’t be topping the best-of-the-year films, but with a doubt, its an irreverent and funny one, with amusing moments.
SCORE: 6,5/10
Awwww, Swedish indiepop... What would be life without your music? Your music bring us joy, melancholy, comes in cinematic, lushly atmospheric sounds and evokes dreamy landscapes. In many different ways, but always looking for the most unforgettable melody. I discovered Speedmarket Avenue thanks to the Slowdivesque wonder of "Sirens" but very soon their sophomore album, "Way Better Now" revealed to be much much more. A compilation of what indiepop can be. Sometimes urgent and energetic, others closer to twee-pop and, a few times entering shoegazing territory, others showing the influence of Belle and Sebastian with superb grace. Can't really say why, but "Enlightened & Left-Wing Indeed" might be my favourite. Maybe it has to do with the organ swirling. Maybe is the female-male vocals (I love Sibille Attar's voice). Maybe is the upbeat & upfront pulse. Or maybe the sense the tune is going to break through any second.... And probably is the drums rattling. And for sure, it has to do with the chorus arriving and making all explode. As the best pop songs do. 
