Grin and bear it

BECAUSE one film about a pot-smoking, foul-mouthed, obnoxious teddy bear wasn't enough, Seth McFarlane brings his creation back to the big screen to explore whether or not he is human.

No recent celebrity or world tragedy goes unmentioned, no human genital goes unreferenced and no bodily fluid goes untouched in this predictable, over-long but, darn it, occasionally hilarious sequel.

Marital bliss does not last long for newlyweds Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) and Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth), who not long after getting married, begin arguing.

Their solution: have a baby.

But as Ted does not have genitals, their only option is to adopt and their inquiries raise a red flag with the American government where Ted must prove in court that he is human.

Ted and his thunder buddy John (Mark Wahlberg) hire inexperienced marijuana-appreciating hottie Samantha (Amanda Seyfried) to take on the case.

Credit where it is due, MacFarlane attempts more than just childish humour with flashes of politics and his pro-human and civil rights message, though of course it is kept to a minimum so as not to alienate the 18-year-old bros that will definitely flock to this film.

Never let political statement get in the way of a good poo joke.

Ted 2 is like a dog with a bone when it comes to ongoing jokes - gags are revisited and recycled two, three, four or more times, some of which drop like a lead balloon.

Scenes seem to go on forever, some making little sense in regard to the central plot (created simply to allow for more off-colour humour), but I would be lying if I said I never cracked a smile or enjoyed a few belly laughs at the more successful gags.

Your tolerance or appreciation for lowbrow humour (mine sits somewhere in the middle) will dictate how much you enjoy this film - if it is high, you will have a blast.

THE ESSENTIALS

Ted 2 (MA)

Directed by: Seth MacFarlane

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Amanda Seyfried

Three stars

Review by: Julian Wright

In cinemas now