Phil sees TED 2 from Universal Pictures - March 1, 2016

When I first saw and reviewed director Seth McFarlane's TED back in 2012, I said that it was, "this year's laugh-out-loud comedy hit, and one that will be part of drinking games at colleges for generations to come!" I think I came pretty close to being accurate. Three years later, McFarlane and Universal Pictures unleashed the sequel that was TED 2 upon audiences worldwide. And I don't think audiences knew what hit them.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2015)

The film's official synopsis: Ted (voice of Seth MacFarlane) ties the knot with Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth), and recruits his best friend John (Mark Wahlberg) as a sperm donor in order to start a family in this sequel to the comedy hit about a teddy bear come to life. Later, when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts demands that Ted appear before a judge to prove he's a real person, the frisky bear and his pal vow to fight for their civil rights. Morgan Freeman and Amanda Seyfried co-star.

While the first film was more grounded in the real world (minus the walking, talking, pot smoking teddy bear), the sequel looks and feels like it came straight out of a Family Guy episode. The absurdity is off the charts in this movie and it's freaking hilarious! I couldn't believe what I was watching! It definitely pushes the envelope and then it shoves it up your ass. I'm surprised that the filmmakers got away with some of the crazy shit they said and did. Obviously, when making a sequel, it has to go to the next level and really shock and surprise the audience. Films like STAR WARS: EPISODE V-THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, THE DARK KNIGHT and TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY accomplished this feat with tremendous results and are considered superior than their originals. And to be honest, I feel like this film did that as well.

Once again Mark Walberg reprises his role as John, but things have turned south for him. His marriage to his love of his life Lori (Mila Kunis from the first film) ended and is in a very sad state of depression. Making matters worse for him is being Ted's best man at his wedding. Seeing his best friend with his new blushing bride Tami-Lynn is like having your still beating heart ripped out of your ass. But life has a funny way of giving you more options to choose from. In John's case, it's meeting and falling in love with Ted's super smart, funny and hot lawyer Samamtha. Both Walberg and Seyfried have fantastic on-screen chemistry and they look and sound like a real couple. I've always been a big fan of Miss Seyfried and she is just wonderful in the film. She is breathe of fresh air and her character is one that really anchors the film while being extremely funny as well. 

Seth McFarlane takes the franchise into a whole other world with this installment. As I said earlier, it's way more raunchier, way more vulgar, way more random and the sheer lunacy is straight outta Family Guy. But the man makes it work to his advantage because he is a smart bastard. He had to make this film better than the first one and he does it in spades but it still has heart. There's that theme of friendship, love and the idea of fighting for what you believe in. Kudos to you Mr. McFarlane!

For some reason, upon its initial release, the film literally bombed at the boxoffice. It was released theatrically on June 26, 2015 and it was panned by the critics, but I never paid too much attention to what they say. They're all just a bunch of overpaid pompous jack asses who think they know what films should be because they went to school to study films and criticism. Well guess what? So did I and I really liked the film! I think another factor was that I guess audiences got tired of the R-rated raunchy comedies. Whatever the reason, the film didn't perform to the expectations of the studio. 

TED 2 is this year's laugh-out-loud comedy hit, and one that will part of drinking games at colleges for generations to come! It's....wait. I said that about the first film. Sorry let me fix that...TED 2 is this year's laugh-out-loud sequel comedy hit, and one that will part of drinking games at colleges for generations to come! There, that's better! So switch off your brain for an hour and a half and just chill and watch this movie! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

TED 2 is now available on both Blu-Ray and DVD at your local retailer. The movie is also available at your local Redbox as well as on Netflix and Video On Demand. 

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!