Ted (2012)

The start of this flick about the teddybear wished alive 25 years later is done carefully and with some originality. At least as much as the premise allows. The main plot is of course the same as any of the many horrible rom-coms. Man and woman happy, one does something stupid thus man and woman are unhappy. Then a grand gesture and man and woman are back together. And all is forgotten and blissful. And then there is some other stuff no one cares too much about.

Wahlberg is most underrated in comedies (actually in general), and carries this movie nicely, displaying a brilliant chemistry with Ted and a somewhat credible relationship with Kunis who is becoming quite the expert on comedies despite her young age. Most rightly so. Giovanni Ribisi is pretty misplaced here though and quite awful too, except in his dancing scene.

It is clear however, that this film is made by someone who watches a lot of films, and who is able to recognize quality. I've only seen this movie once, and was able to identify more than a dozen references, either obvious or subtle. Most good, some even brilliant.

So the basis of the story is a bore and the acting varies. Does that mean it's a mediocre film? By no means! As a source of laughs, this is priceless. There's simple humor, smart humor, rhyming humor, homages, hints, fat jokes, gay jokes, racist jokes and sheer slapstick with extra violence. Add to that one or two of the coolest fight scenes ever printed to film (The martial arts can all go suck several tailpipes) and "Ted" simply delivers. Proving that if you have enough really funny jokes, the basis of the story can be left to dwell in the background. And if you've laughed yourself to tears a dozen times during a comedy, nitpicking is hypocrisy on too high a level even for me. This is undoubtedly one of the funniest movies made in many years. End of story.

If you don't laugh at this movie, just buy the extended, complete Blu-ray of Friends and stay away from me altogether.

8/10