7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.9 |
John makes a Christmas miracle happen by bringing his one and only friend to life, his teddy bear. The two grow up together and John must then choose to stay with his girlfriend or keep his friendship with his crude and extremely inappropriate teddy bear, Ted.
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Joel McHale, Giovanni RibisiComedy | 100% |
Imaginary | 13% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
BD-Live
D-Box
Mobile features
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Story by Seth MacFarlane. Screenplay by Seth MacFarlane. Directed by Seth MacFarlane. Starring Seth MacFarlane. Produced by Seth MacFarlane. Ted isn't just MacFarlane's big screen directorial debut, it's a message to Hollywood: Um, yeah. That thing I did on TV? I'm about to do it here. Lest ye forget, Family Guy was canceled in 2001, only to gain momentum in syndication in Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block, bag huge numbers in DVD sales, and return to Fox in an unheard of series resurrection in 2004. And give way to American Dad in 2005. And spawn successful spin-off The Cleveland Show in 2009. And launch its eleventh season in 2012. And earn its creator the hosting gig at the 85th Academy Awards. What would have quashed the aspirations of most industry upstarts only propelled MacFarlane into stardom, transforming him into something of a TV animation magnate along the way. But I digress. Ted is more than a message to Hollywood too. It's laugh-out-loud funny -- hilarious even -- and just sharp enough to suggest MacFarlane's world is about to get much, much bigger.
What most people will look like while watching 'Ted'
I don't have any major gripes when it comes to Ted's 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer. Colors are surprisingly natural and subdued, with lifelike skintones, nicely saturated primaries and deep blacks, while contrast is dialed in perfectly, without any crush, problematic delineation or hot whites to speak of. Detail is excellent as well, from the crisp, clean edges that grace every scene to the refined, precisely resolved fine textures that elevate every patch of faux-fur, swatch of fabric, five o'clock shadow, darting aquarium fish, broken shard of hotel room furniture, discarded Corn Pop or nacho. Better still, there isn't any significant artifacting, banding, aliasing or errant noise to report. Ted looks every bit as good as a new film shot with Panavision Genesis HD cameras should.
Whether by shrewd intention or something less exacting, Ted's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track sounds as if it's been culled from a high-concept sitcom, with a presumably faithful but front-heavy mix that values center-channel quips and conversation above all else. To that end, dialogue is clean, clear and smartly prioritized, and Ted's voice is nestled in the same world-weary Boston as those of his co-stars. The rear speakers, meanwhile, provide little more than light ambience and atmosphere, and really only kick it up a notch during storms, battle-royale hotel fights and climactic chase scenes. The LFE channel follows suit, lending its support when needed but rarely making much of an impact. That said, Walter Murphy's score and the film's various songs give the lonely soundfield a few friends to play with, which is more than enough as far as Ted's sound design is concerned.
Ted isn't for everyone, but what comedy is? MacFarlane has crafted a genuinely funny bit of profane puppetry (or motion capturing I suppose), and anyone who gives it a shot will be surprised by just how much laughter they have pent up inside. Universal's Blu-ray release is even better, with a terrific video transfer, a solid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, and a nice batch of special features primed with even more laughs. Ultimately, I'm not sure if Ted will grow on me with age, but I'm willing to give it another go. Chances are you'll feel the same.
Bonus Disc & Bottle Opener
2012
Thunder Buddies T-Shirt
2012
Academy Award Series
2012
Unrated | Neighbors / A Million Ways to Die in the West Fandango Cash
2012
Unrated
2012
Unrated | Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising Fandango Cash
2012
2012
Collector's Edition
2012
2012
2015
2013
Mastered in 4K
2013
2011
2012
2010
2013
2011
2013
30th Anniversary
1989
2018
2009
2015
2019
R-Rated Movie-Only Edition
2011
2013
2019
2014
1966
1995