Ted

J.J. Abrams’ hard work on Super 8 was for naught. THIS is the true E.T. of the current young (pothead) generation. Some situations could have been exploited better, while some jokes fall flat and would’ve needed Kevin Smith’s writing to make them work. However, roughly an equal portion of the film is truly funny, original and bold, and what’s most important – Ted will really grow on you, which is the biggest success of a movie that doesn’t try to suck up to its audience. (17/09/2012)

MacFarlane deserves 4* just for the way he deals with one pseudo-star of the Twilight franchise in the final seconds. I loved the bear, I loved the relaxed Mark Wahlberg, I loved the clever pop culture references to all sorts of things. It was a pretty nice one-off. I was also intrigued by that mom who obviously mistook the film, probably lured by the children's title, sitting next to me with her little girl. About 10 minutes in, during one of the dialogues, which was full of orals and anals, she went rushing out of the theatre :o) (29/07/2012)

First signals. I’m not at all surprised that Ted has such good reviews on Filmbooster. Whereas with most films (and I’m not speaking about art, but about proper mainstream) Czech fans are more critical than the critics (we know how to be more Papist than the Pope), when they are the target of a frontal attack to their instincts, with a lot of profanity, boozing, smoking and shagging, they are in their element because it’s a “politically incorrect comedy that doesn’t give a shit about anything or anyone” – they beat children and make fun of Twilight! Great, init? … Well, that’s not enough, I’m afraid, It should be a lot sharper. This is just a spineless softy wearing the coat of a badass. But to be fair, there are a couple of funny scenes and I almost laughed three times. 40 % (16/11/2012)

I was looking forward to having some proper laughs. In reality, however, it wasn’t so great. I don’t know whether it was the movie that didn’t sit well with me, or its humor. I just watched the movie and the fact that everything except for Mila Kunis was unlikeable made me wonder when this comedy would end. It’s not completely bad, I did have a few laughs. But I guess I thought it would be more than just a few. (17/12/2012)

This movie is no different from many mediocre American comedies. They just swapped the fat rude friend for a chubby rude bear. Can't say I didn't laugh a few times, but I could count the few good lines on one hand. Again, that American simplicity and stiffness that makes me sick. (14/03/2013)

An excellent romp, strong on detail and references to things that I grew up on. Although the alpha to omega here is a foul-mouthed teddy bear, overall this is a classic story about leaving behind your childhood. MacFarlane excellently layers up funny scenes and wraps them in a format received by the masses with smiles and ovations. A shame that only fairytales have a happy ending. When you going to buy me a ring, asshole? (03/08/2012)

What a gentleman, what a teddy bear... Or is it the other way around? Anyway, Mr. Bean wouldn't dream of a bear like this. And me neither, actually. I didn't expect any miracle from the film and that is why it surprised me all the more. I can't say that it is filled with any particularly stunning humor, but the way it is all presented scored big with me. Yes, there are profanities, and quite a lot of them, but with a few exceptions, I didn't think to say "Did they really need to do that?" Ted knows the measure, the bottomless abyss of awkward entertainment, at the bottom of which many other so-called comedies rot. The film goes around in a big arc, rages like a madman, manages to be nostalgically funny and throws around all sorts of references to E.T., “Imperial March", Indiana Jones and on and on (it even parodies a parody - the dance scene from Airplane!), including the real Flash Gordon, who's coming to the big party in person. Since I’m not even disgusted by the fecal joke, I give it four stars, because I had a really great time. (03/06/2014)

Ted is the kind of light-hearted overseas entertainment of this century, it doesn’t address even the most basic social issues, it doesn’t worry about what is possible and what is not, and it doesn’t involve the viewer in any moral lessons. It's true that the proven phrase "friendship above all else" is mentioned too often, but MacFarlane always pulls it off in such a delicate way that I had to laugh out loud every time, only to quickly realise that I've seen it somewhere else before. No, Ted is first and foremost a bold blast of crazy jokes, gags and sometimes even a bit of raunchy humour, but it feels so ordinary in the performances of the two main characters that the downright embarrassing moments are rather scarce. Mark Wahlberg is likeable, Mila Kunis is gorgeous, and Ted himself is hilarious – an equal social being in the eyes of the other characters, and, in the eyes of the audience, a unique product of the postmodern American zeitgeist, burdened with an addiction to good weed and beautiful women and a love of classic blockbusters. The potential for entertainment is not fully exploited (which the even more daring sequel proves), but this film simply has a wonderfully distinctive character... 80% (15/08/2012)

I didn't promise too much about "Ted", but I was simply drawn to a poster where Mark Wahlberg and Teddy Bear were standing with their backs to the viewer and urinating in urinals with a bottle in hand. This is just the right type of humor that suits me. I wasn't mistaken because what was offered to me was an excellent comedy with some unexpected jokes, others well-developed, but above all, this comedy just works and offers every viewer to find what they need here. The bolder ones have truly crude humor that can shock the weaker-minded, but for fans, there is plenty of humor and also great references, such as the one to "Flash Gordon". When the melody of Darth Vader sounds from the phone as Wahlberg's girlfriend's ringtone, you can't help but smile, just like when the opening melody of the series "Knight Rider" plays when Ted calls. The film rides on pop culture references and allusions, where even current things are mentioned, such as the flop "Jack and Jill". There are truly a lot of references here, and in order for the viewer to truly enjoy the film, they must have some knowledge of various aspects of American culture. Someone who has never been interested in basketball probably won't understand Ted's reference to someone named Kareem. But there's much more to it than that. What pleasantly surprises is Mark Wahlberg's performance, whom I have recently had the pleasure of seeing in weaker films. In this case, he shines and is great as the character, and the moment when he sings is truly awful, and therefore also unforgettable. Cameos by Tom Skerritt and Sam Jones (portraying Flash Gordon), who is a really nice surprise, and Norah Jones in a great small role also please. In this film, humor and emotions are presented in such a cocktail that it shook me and I have to rate it really high. It was an experience for me, but it's true that not everyone will find the humor appealing, and the film is more for the chosen ones who are not afraid of a bit of rough humor and profanity. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/08/jane-eyre-ekologicka-afrika-cislo.html (24/02/2013)

Seth MacFarlane has no mercy for anything at all (for which he has my admiration), but as a result (or perhaps because of it) his Ted comes across as a maximally unfair but otherwise quite intelligent and cohesive spectacle, which may give unprepared viewers the impression with its "fairy tale" opening that this is really going to be a nice fairy tale about a good teddy bear... which, of course, is reliably buried by the very first scene with the bong on the couch : ))) At the very least, Seth MacFarlane deserves admiration for not being afraid to tread in places that are quite sensitive for the Yanks (e.g. 9/11 and "half-Muslim chicks" :)) and also for letting his Ted act like a total asshole at times and then portraying him as a lovable stuffed animal who has to hide under the covers with his owner before the storm. Ted works great as an 80s-referencing comedy, but somehow on the inside makes you think there's something more to it. I wouldn't characterize that as a criticism or some insanely sophisticated allegory, but if you're even a little perceptive, you just can't miss the parallels. (11/10/2013)

I expected far, far better of a movie with a rating higher than The Dictator, but what I got in the end was an average comedy. There is a huge number of great one-liners and references, sometimes almost to a fault, some of the jokes being a little over-the-top. Overall, the movie is only a partial success in this respect. The main disadvantage is that it’s tacky and you can tell how most of the scenes, as well as the ending, will turn out. To sum up, a good comedy worth 3.5 stars, but not the best this year. (PS: The scenes where Ted gets a promotion are brilliant.) (12/11/2012)