Film Review: Ted 2 (2015).

Hello everyone. I have another film review for you today and it is Ted 2! I know I have done a few film reviews recently but I have a few other different posts coming up soon. But first, let's get into this review.

The Background

Ted 2 is the sequel to the 2012 first Ted. It is a comedy directed and written by Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy and American Dad. He also reprises his role as Ted as does Mark Wahlberg as Ted's best friend John Bennett. This time life has changed for the thunder buddies as Ted gets married to Tammi-Lynn (Jessica Barth) and John Bennett is newly divorced. However, problems arise when Ted ends up fighting for his civil rights when he attempts to adopt a child as authorities rule that he is property rather than a person. Angry, he seeks the help of a young lawyer (Amanda Seyfried) and a civil-rights attorney (Morgan Freeman) to get justice. But because he is now deemed to be property, he is once again at risk from his stalker Donny (Giovanni Ribisi).

My Thoughts

I personally enjoyed the film a lot and found it really, really funny. I will admit some of the jokes were similar to those in the first one - drugs, sex, gay and racist jokes. In some parts, it is definitely ruder and funnier than the first one. If you're easily offended by dark comedy, I certainly wouldn't recommend this film because there are definitely moments where even I squirmed a bit in my seat watching. There have been some criticisms about how racist, homophobic and transphobic Seth MacFarlane is considering some of the jokes that run continuously throughout the film. I wouldn't consider this to be true as Seth is an advocate for gay rights in real life and it is just a comedy film at the end of the day.

I did find the film tended to drag on a bit sometimes, the storyline plodded along a little bit in some places. It also felt a little similar to the first film with Amanda Seyfried replacing Mila Kunis as John Bennett's love interest because I think this was the time Mila went off and had a child. Also Donny (Ribisi) was back as Ted's stalker which he was in the first film so a few things felt a bit stale. But other than that, it's worth a watch and very funny.

Here's the trailer

Have you seen it? What did you think of it?

Thankyou for reading.

Laura.

The Simpsons/Family Guy Crossover Episode Trailer!

If you're a fan of Family Guy and/or The Simpsons, this may just be the thing for you!

This San Diego Comic Con footage "Simpsons Guy" was debuted online by Entertainment Weekly. This is literally the ultimate crossover. Everyone's speculated the idea, myself included, for years and now it's happening!

The Simpsons have only ever done one crossover episode with The Critic in all of their 25 seasons. Their second time will be coming this autumn when they meet up with the Griffins from Family Guy for their season premier. The trailer was shown at San Diego Comic Con to the delight of many fans before being exclusively put online for those not there.

This episode will a special hour long one where Peter Griffin and his family get lost and find themselves in Springfield where they quickly befriend The Simpsons. The video shows the similarities between Peter Griffin and Homer Simpson and between Bart Simpson and Stewie Griffin resulting in hilarious scenes between them all. However there are some stark differences in humour between them also. While Peter and Homer fight over Pawtuckett Patriot beer tasting exactly like Duff, Bart and Stewie try out a couple of prank calls which some viewers have found controversial. Even I thought Stewie's idea of a prank call was a bit extreme but considering I'm used to Seth Macfarlane/Family Guy's humour I soon found myself guiltily giggling.

Not only that, for fans of The Simpsons, they are also going to be doing another crossover episode with Futurama in November titled "Simpsorama".

There have been various opinions on this footage, some thinking this is just an attempt for both cartoons to get viewers again as they seem to be losing their touch for having gone on for so long. Some think this is the best idea ever and can't wait for the full episode.

So what do you think of the 5 minute footage yourself? Do you think Family Guy is too extreme for The Simpsons' tame humour? Do you agree that both cartoons are losing their touch? Or are you excited for this?

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou for reading.
Laura.

Film Review: A Million Ways To Die In The West.

A Million Ways to Die in the West is an American western, comedy film produced, written and directed by the hilarious Seth MacFarlane (the creative genius behind TV's Family Guy, American Dad and the box office hit Ted) as well as Alex Sulkin and Wellesley Wild. MacFarlane stars in it himself alongside a star studded cast including Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris and Sarah Silverman.

It is about a a sheep farmer called Albert (Seth MacFarlane) who is rather cowardly and has never fired his gun resulting in his fickle girlfriend, Louise (Amanda Seyfried), leaving for another man, Foy (Neil Patrick Harris), who owns the town's leading moustache emporium. Albert ends up accidentally saving a beautiful woman's life, Anna (Charlize Theron), who helps him find his courage and learn to fight for himself, her husband however, a notorious outlaw called Clinch (Liam Neeson), arrives seeking revenge..

I thought the film was pretty good if we're talking about comedy whereas the storyline was obvious and predictable. Nevertheless Seth MacFarlane had the jokes firing in every scene.. I wouldn't recommend seeing it if you're easily offended, just saying. There are a probably few too many fart and diarrhea gags made but they somehow still keep you laughing all the way through. Although MacFarlane had most of the screen time, Charlize Theron really pulled off the jokes whenever she could which leaves you surprised that she hasn't done more comedy films before. Neil Patrick Harris is fantastic as he is depicted as the horrible girlfriend stealer while sporting an amazing moustache I have to say. His wit and moments in the films are really laugh-out-loud and leave you wanting more from him.

There isn't much to say about the film as aforementioned it is predictable and you're aware of this the minute Theron's character steps onto the scene. But there were some random but fantastic cameos that make you enjoy the film for what it is. I especially two or three!

I have been a fan of Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy and American Dad but this film doesn't quite match up to the outrageously hilarious Ted where MacFarlane voices Mark Wahlberg's fuzzy teddy bear friend. This film is obviously a mixed bag but clearly there is a market in which it'll please. There was a quality cast even if the storyline itself wasn't matching the same standards.. but it's worth watching, even if it's just once!

I'm not sure if this will help warm any MacFarlane haters up to him but the guy knows what he does best and what he does best is make shocking and offensive yet witty films and shows and I doubt that is about to change anytime soon. This film wasn't amazing but I don't think it was ever expected to be but I still remain a fan of him and his work. His raunchy parody won't turn many into fans of him but it shows that he's quite the outrageous quick-draw satirist.