Ted Movie Review

A Raunchy, Rude, and Ridiculously Funny Bromance with a Heart. This is a comedy best enjoyed with close friends, not so much with your family. 

Genre: Comedy

Director: Seth MacFarlane

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel McHale, Jessica Barth, Patrick Warburton, Matt Walsh, Laura Vandervoort & Sam J. Jones. 

Run Time: 106 min.

US Release: 29 June 2012

UK Release: 01 August 2012

German Release: 02 August 2012

When Ted was released in 2012, audiences weren’t quite sure what to expect. A live-action comedy about a man and his foul-mouthed, pot-smoking teddy bear sounded like something that could either be a total train wreck or an instant cult classic. Luckily, under the direction and voice of Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, Ted turned out to be a hilariously inappropriate yet oddly heartfelt comedy that hit all the right notes.

— WARNING, THIS REVIEW CAN CONTAIN SPOILERS! —

The film tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a Boston man who, as a lonely child, wished that his favourite stuffed bear would come to life. Miraculously, it did. Decades later, that same bear, Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), has grown up into a foul-mouthed, beer-drinking, womanising companion who’s more of a bad influence than a good friend. While John’s long-time girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis) is supportive, she begins to lose patience with John’s immaturity and his inability to move on from his fluffy buddy, ending in an ultimatum: her or the bear. This sets up a simple yet relatable story about growing up, taking responsibility, and learning to let go, wrapped in a thick layer of crude jokes and stoner humour.

What makes Ted work so well is its balance between vulgar humour and genuine emotional undertones. MacFarlane doesn’t just rely on shock value; beneath the endless barrage of pop culture references, drug jokes, and absurd cutaways, there’s a real story about friendship and growing up. The writing, while unashamedly juvenile, is also surprisingly clever at times, poking fun at everything from 80s nostalgia to Boston culture.

Mark Wahlberg delivers one of his most entertaining performances to date. Known more for his action roles, Wahlberg shows real comedic timing here, fully committing to the absurdity of sharing scenes with a CGI teddy bear. His chemistry with Ted feels completely natural, which is a testament to both his performance and the incredible visual effects. Ted himself is the star of the show, a perfectly animated, wonderfully inappropriate little bear whose personality is a mix of Seth MacFarlane’s Peter Griffin and your worst (or best) drinking buddy. Yes, the voice is unmistakably that of Peter, but somehow, it still works. Ted’s charm lies in how unfiltered and unapologetically offensive he is, which makes him impossible not to laugh at.

Mila Kunis brings much-needed grounding to the story. As Lori, she adds emotional weight to a film that could have easily spiralled out of control. Her dynamic with Wahlberg gives the movie its heart, as we see her struggle to love a man who refuses to grow up. She is the moral compass of the film, the voice of reason in a world where a teddy bear snorts coke off women’s chests.

The humour is classic MacFarlane; raunchy, politically incorrect, and packed with lightning-fast references. From a hilarious brawl in a hotel room to Ted’s wild party scenes, Ted constantly pushes the boundaries of what you’d expect from a mainstream comedy. However, there are moments where it does feel like an extended episode of Family Guy, especially with the overuse of pop culture nods and flashback-style gags. That being said, fans of Family Guy will feel right at home with the jokes and the pacing.

The film’s biggest weakness is its ending. After a solid buildup of ridiculous antics and emotional tension, the finale feels a little too safe and predictable. It wraps things up neatly but lacks the punch you’d expect from such a bold comedy. Still, the journey there is filled with enough laughs and quotable moments to make up for it.

On a technical level, Ted is impressive. The CGI work is seamless, and Ted feels completely integrated into the real world. His fur textures, expressions, and movements are stunningly realistic for a comedy of this nature. The cinematography by Michael Barrett captures the chaotic energy of Boston, while the soundtrack complements the film’s mix of absurdity and warmth.

Verdict: Ted is a hilarious, rude, and surprisingly touching comedy that showcases Seth MacFarlane’s unique voice and comedic instincts. While it borrows heavily from his animated shows and occasionally feels like a long Family Guy episode, its heart and originality shine through. If you enjoy MacFarlane’s brand of humour, or just want to see Mark Wahlberg argue with a teddy bear, this film is absolutely worth your time; if you are easily offended, better steer clear of it. I’ll give Ted a 7.0 out of 10.

This is a perfect pick for a weekend laugh with friends, just maybe not one to watch with your parents. What is your take on Ted? Do you agree? Thank you for reading.