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So this is essentially the film's central conflict: John tries to please the two most important figures in his life at the same time but repeatedly disappoints them both. Subplots involving Lori's leering boss (Joel McHale) and a scheme by a creepy dad (Giovanni Ribisi) to kidnap the bear feel like filler rather than real threats, although Ribisi's
character does add a whole 'nother level of daring weirdness to the proceedings. "Ted" is at its best when Ted is at his worst. The disparity between the innocence such a toy is meant to represent and the utter wrongness of his every action provides a pretty consistent source of hilarity. But much of the material works because the bear has someone to bounce off of; Wahlberg does his best work in situations like this, where he's playing it totally straight in a setting that's totally silly. If only the movie had come out closer to the holidays: Ted would make an excellent gift for the overgrown adolescent in everyone's life. "Ted," a Universal Pictures release, is rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language and some drug use. Running time: 105 minutes. Three stars out of four. ___ Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions: G -- General audiences. All ages admitted. PG -- Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. PG-13 -- Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children. R -- Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. NC-17 -- No one under 17 admitted.
[Associated
Press;
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