Film Review- "Ted 2"

Ted 2
Directed by Seth MacFarlane
Starring Mark Whalberg, Amanda Seyfried, and Seth MacFarlane

We meet again, MacFarlane.

After the disappointing A Million Ways To Die In A West, I wasn't quite sure what to expect here. I know the "Family Guy" mastermind can do as much bad as he does good, but the first Ted is one of my favorite films. The reviews started to come in, and they weren't good. Then I saw it for myself…and I was pleasantly surprised to find I disagreed with the critics.

Ted 2 opens on the marriage of Ted (MacFarlane) and Tammy Lynn (Jessica Barth), while John's (Whalberg) marriage to Lori (The absent Mila Kunis) has fallen apart. I don't love the way they wrote Mila Kunis out of the sequel but let's move on. Ted and Tammy Lynn decide they want to have a baby. For obvious reasons they can't conceive, so they try through other means, such as sperm donors and adoption. This unearths the startling revelation that in the eyes of the government, Ted is not a person with civil rights, but property.

Unable to adopt a child, his civil rights non existent, and his marriage to Tammy Lynn annulled , Ted sets out to for justice. He hires a young, inexperienced lawer (Seyfried), named "cleverly" Samantha L. Jackson, whom John starts to get smitten with. Ted begins an uphill battle to get his life back, against the likes of a cutthroat lawyer played by John Slattery, and the vengeful return of that creep Donny (Giovanni Ribisi) from the first film.

I don't think anyone expected this to be the story of this sequel, but that's a good thing. It's creative, and it's not a rehash of the story of the original. I mean if you're going to do a sequel, make sure it's a story worth telling, right? Like the original, this film has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, although a few gags are either A. Recycled from Ted or B. Recycled from "Family Guy". MacFarlane is at his best here, managing to leave moments for heart and sincerity here, which is what made the first Ted such a success. It's not constant crude humor like A Million Ways To Die In The West, thought there are some jokes that made me cringe (It's Seth MacFarlane remember). To be honest I think MacFarlane knew what made Ted work so well, so he made sure to stay reserved for Ted 2.

Whalberg and MacFarlane resume their roles in true form, and once again have great chemistry. Seyfried is a welcome new addition, and does a fine job filling in the lead female role for Kunis. I'd actually argue this one of her better performances. Jessica Barth is given more to do as Tammy Lynn, and actually becomes a real character. There are plenty of hilarious cameos in this film that I'd dare not spoil for you.

Ignore the critics, folks. If you loved the first film, you'll love Ted 2. It's another mark in the good column for Seth MacFarlane. Grab your thunder buddy and head to the theatre.

Film Review- "Inside Out"

Inside Out
Directed by Pete Docter
Starring Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Mindy Kaling

I can't believe it's been two years since I reviewed Monsters University. It feels like an eternity since we've had a Pixar film. Some would go further, and say it feels like an eternity since we've had a good Pixar film. I am not one of those people. I enjoyed both Brave and Monsters University (not Cars 2), but not everyone else did, but that's besides the point. Now with Inside Out, I think everyone can agree Pixar has triumphed once again.

The film opens on the birth of a little girl named Riley (Kaitlyn Dias), and the creation of her first emotion, Joy (Poehler). As time goes on and Riley grows, Joy is joined by other emotions, like Sadness (Smith), Disgust (Kaling), Fear (Bill Hader), and Anger (Lewis Black). The self-proclaimed leader of Riley's emotions, Joy struggles to keep Riley happy through all of life's challenges.

Joy finds her job even more difficult when Riley and her parents pack up their beautiful life in the Midwest for a new one in San Francisco. Things go haywire on Riley's first day of school. During a conflict over Riley's core memories, Joy and Sadness get sucked out of headquarters (Get it?), and lost in the other regions of Riley's mind. The two have to make their way back, while the other emotions try to navigate Riley through this tough period of her young life.

Such a bizarre concept, that works so beautifully. The way the writers formed the inner workings of the mind is so creative, and it brings a bunch of fun and laughs to the script. It's been a few weeks since I saw the film, and I still believe there are little emotions running around in my head. You would think characters that are just singular emotions would be so one dimensional but they're not. The highlight of this film of course is Joy. Through all her hardships, her deep connection to Riley keeps her strong and positive. Amy Poehler, giving an almost Leslie Knope-like performance, is perfect casting. This role was made for her.

I think one of the film's greatest achievements is while we spend more time with Riley's emotions than Riley herself, you still feel for Riley and her struggles. Even though this whole movie is taking place literally inside her head, you know and feel the stakes being raised. Her story is one anyone can relate to, and once again, Pixar provokes tears.

In addition to Poehler, all the other emotions are perfectly cast. Smith, Hader, Black, Kaling…I can't even begin to express how well these actors fit their roles. One character that's been left out of the trailers and commercials is Riley's imaginary friend, Bing Bong, played by Richard Kind. He ends up being a big scene stealer, and one of the film's highlights, in ways I can't go into. When he joins up with Joy and Sadness on their journey that's when the sparks really fly.

Pete Docter has already won two Oscars for the two films he's done with Pixar (Monsters Inc and Up), and it's a safe bet he's going to get his third from Inside Out. Creative, thought-provoking, fun, and emotionally uplifting, it's everything you would hope for in a Pixar film.