During an exclusive party on the eve of New York Comic Con last night, Hasbro unveiled the newest addition to their Transformers toy line, and it was none other than the redesigned Optimus Prime from the upcoming Transformers: Age Of Extinction.
Showing posts with label Mark Wahlberg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Wahlberg. Show all posts
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
'Transformers 4' Now Has a Title AND a Teaser Poster!
You can also check out images director Michael Bay has released of the G1 Autobot favorites set to appear in the next stage of the series, Optimus Prime, a '67 version of Bumblebee, Hound and another yet to be named vehicle via his website.
Set for June 27th, 2014, Bay returns to direct his fourth big screen round of Transformers, whose events takes place five years following the destruction of Chicago in 2011's Dark of the Moon. The film promises to jump start the series in a new direction with revamped versions of the familiar robotic alien heroes and villains. Mark Wahlberg stars with Kelsey Grammar, Stanley Tucci, T.J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li and of course Peter Cullen (returning to provide the iconic voice of Optimus Prime).
SOURCE: Michael Bay Dot Com
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Friday, July 5, 2013
Bumblebee Will Also Get A 2014 Concept Camaro Upgrade in 'Transformers 4'
According to Michael Bay on his website, "Trumpets please . . . Bumblebee, a 2014 Concept Camaro! . . . the final jewel in the Transformers 4 crown."
Bay has been unveiling the sleek new fleet of various vehicles to be featured in the currently shooting Transformers 4 over the past several weeks, and now reveals Bumblebee will have two alternate versions in next year's film. We have already seen the fan favorite's redesign as a modified, vintage 1967 Camaro SS (check it out HERE), and now Bay has plans to unleash Chevy's 2014 version of the Camaro as well (which mirrors Bumblebee's vintage to modern upgrade seen in 2007's Transformers).
You can also check out the previous images Bay has released of G1 Autobot favorites Optimus Prime, the '67 Bumblebee, Hound and another yet to be named vehicle via his website.
Set for 2014, Bay returns to direct his fourth big screen round of Transformers, whose events takes place five years following the destruction of Chicago in 2011's Dark of the Moon. The film promises to jump start the series in a new direction with revamped versions of the familiar robotic alien heroes and villains. Mark Wahlberg stars with Kelsey Grammar, Stanley Tucci, T.J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li and of course Peter Cullen (returning to provide the iconic voice of Optimus Prime).
SOURCE: Michael Bay Dot Com
Follow @NerdyRScoundrel
You can also check out the previous images Bay has released of G1 Autobot favorites Optimus Prime, the '67 Bumblebee, Hound and another yet to be named vehicle via his website.
Set for 2014, Bay returns to direct his fourth big screen round of Transformers, whose events takes place five years following the destruction of Chicago in 2011's Dark of the Moon. The film promises to jump start the series in a new direction with revamped versions of the familiar robotic alien heroes and villains. Mark Wahlberg stars with Kelsey Grammar, Stanley Tucci, T.J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li and of course Peter Cullen (returning to provide the iconic voice of Optimus Prime).
SOURCE: Michael Bay Dot Com
Follow @NerdyRScoundrel
Sunday, June 30, 2013
See Optimus Prime Dodge Explosions In These 'Transformers 4' Set Videos
Also worth noting are these pics from the Texas set last month of a rusted cab-over-engine truck that bears a heavy resemblance to the classic 1984 version of Optimus Prime. It's probably no coincidence but looking closer you can also spot traces of faded painted flames, which Bay famously adornes to his big screen versions of the Autobot leader with.
Set for release on June 27, 2014, Michael Bay returns to direct his fourth big screen round of Transformers, whose events takes place five years following the destruction of Chicago in 2011's Dark of the Moon. The film promises to jump start the series in a new direction with revamped versions of the familiar robotic alien heroes and villains. Mark Wahlberg stars with Kelsey Grammar, Stanley Tucci, T.J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li and of course Peter Cullen (returning to provide the iconic voice of Optimus Prime).
Friday, June 28, 2013
Has 'Transformers 4' Revealed Ultra Magnus?
"The adventure continues to transform with a very different offering from Daimler Trucks North America," Michael Bay says on his website, revealing the latest sleek cast addition to Transformers 4. "The imposing 2014 Argosy cab-over truck by Freightliner."
The flat nose truck by Freightliner actually resembles a modern version the '80s model of Optimus Prime that Michael Bay chose not to go with when he took the reigns of the big screen Transformers series, but nonetheless resembles another classic blast from the past.
The first character that comes to mind here is Ultra Magnus, which the toy version was identical to Optimus Prime except for the color scheme. The Autobot was the sucessor to Optimus Prime in the cartoon lore, briefly becoming the possessor of the Matrix of Leadership in 1986's Transformers: The Movie, until Hot Rod rose in the ranks by the end of the animated adventure to become Rodimus Prime followed by a whole lot more plot points that may never factor into the big screen story arc. But since Bay says he wants to make TF4 the springboard for the series' new direction, maybe we will see the baton of Autobot leadership passed on.
There is no official word yet on who this will be in the film. Though the ominous color scheme suggests Decepticon over Autobot and leads to speculation that this could be the evil Motormaster, the newest addition is undoubtedly another sleek ride we can look forward to see featured in the next adventure.
You can also check out the previous images Bay has also released of G1 Autobot favorites Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Hound via his website.
Set for 2014, Bay returns to direct his fourth big screen round of Transformers, whose events takes place five years following the destruction of Chicago in 2011's Dark of the Moon. The film promises to jump start the series in a new direction with revamped versions of the familiar robotic alien heroes and villains. Mark Wahlberg stars with Kelsey Grammar, Stanley Tucci, T.J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li and of course Peter Cullen (returning to provide the iconic voice of Optimus Prime).
SOURCE: Michael Bay Dot Com
Follow @NerdyRScoundrel
Friday, June 7, 2013
New 'Transformers 4' Character Revealed. Autobot or Decepticon?
"Unveiling yet another surprise . . . the extraordinary and exhilarating 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4."
There is no mention of a character name or whether this is an Autobot or Decepticon. As previously reported here, Bay has also unveiled Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Hound and two other four wheeled players yet to be named. Lamborghinis did play a part in the classic G1 series, the Autobots Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were members of the sleek Italian automobile line.
Set for 2014, Michael Bay returns to direct his fourth big screen round of Transformers, whose events takes place five years following the destruction of Chicago in 2011's Dark of the Moon. The film promises to jump start the series in a new direction with revamped versions of the familiar robotic alien heroes and villains. Mark Wahlberg stars with Kelsey Grammar, Stanley Tucci, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li and Peter Cullen (returning to provide the iconic voice of Optimus Prime).
SOURCE: MichaelBay.com
Follow @NerdyRScoundrel
Set for 2014, Michael Bay returns to direct his fourth big screen round of Transformers, whose events takes place five years following the destruction of Chicago in 2011's Dark of the Moon. The film promises to jump start the series in a new direction with revamped versions of the familiar robotic alien heroes and villains. Mark Wahlberg stars with Kelsey Grammar, Stanley Tucci, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li and Peter Cullen (returning to provide the iconic voice of Optimus Prime).
SOURCE: MichaelBay.com
Follow @NerdyRScoundrel
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Bumblebee's Retro Redesign Revealed From 'Transformers 4'
Today, director Michael Bay released a still of Bumbleee, who will sport the design as what he describes as a highly modified, vintage 1967 Camaro SS.
SOURCE: Michael Bay Dot Com
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Re-Designed Optimus Prime and Autobots from 'Transformers 4' Revealed!
Also on display is a C7 Stingray Corvette and a $2.4 million custom 1,200-horsepower Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse. We don't know yet if these will be new characters or revamps of classic Autobots from the animated shows or comic books lore.
Set for 2014, Michael Bay returns to direct his fourth as yet untitled round of Transformers, whose events takes place five years following the destruction of Chicago in 2011's Dark of the Moon, and promises to jump start the series in a new direction with revamped versions of the familiar robotic alien heroes and villains. Mark Wahlberg stars with Kelsey Grammar, Stanley Tucci, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li and Peter Cullen (returning to provide the iconic voice of Optimus Prime).
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Film Review - PAIN & GAIN ★★½☆☆☆
Pain & Gain may seem to be far off the beaten path for Bay, who has settled comfortably into our minds as the ringmaster pounding out uber expensive quick cutting FX heavy films highlighted by intense giant robot-on-robot violence. Yes, the first live-action Transformers was unleashed in 2007, and Bay's fourth installment is on the way. But with his latest film, shot on a relative minuscule budget that may not have even covered Transformers' craft service costs, Bay returns to his grounded roots that allow us to fondly recall his gritty cop comedy 1995's Bad Boys starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
For full disclosure I typically enjoy what Michael Bay brings to the big screen. Visual assault via a summer Friday movie is just what the doctor orders sometimes, it can't be all Atonement or The Artist all the time. But even with Bay stepping things down about three staircases here, it's refreshing and at times enjoyable to witness what he can put forth with a reported $25 million price tag. The camera moves consistently, the colors are often over saturated (which actually works well for its Miami setting), there are obligatory hot cars and ever hotter girls with accompanying lavish beauty shots, and even manages some Miami Vice homage imagery for good measure.
You're either a "doer" or a "don't-er," according to motivational speaker advice that hits hard with personal trainer Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg). Taking those words to heart, the over zealous gym rat enlists his bodybuilder co-worker Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and a Born Again Christian former con Paul (Dwayne Johnson) to kidnap, torture and live off the riches of a snarky local businessman (Tony Shalhoub). These roided roughneck 'do'ers' figure it best to take than earn their way to living the lifestyles of the rich and famous.
Pain & Gain, set in 1990's Miami, is based on the true story of a trio of local Miami bodybuilders (the film actually takes a pause to remind us of this at its most ridiculous moment) who turn to a calculated life of crime. Sure this pumped up spectacle is for the most part light fare, but the at times sharp dialogue in the script from Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely makes the most of Wahlberg's quick, determined and necessary dim witted delivery.
I'm not giving much away in revealing that these juice heads aren't blessed with anything above one dimensional thinking in their life of crime, and their plan is pretty much pre-determined to crumble. It's not to say that things sink to a Hans and Franz level of buffoonery, but their grand scheme is blessed only with mostly brawn, and not nearly enough brain to attain ultimate success.
The rock solid key to the film though is easily Dwayne Johnson. Riding high with his winning turns in Fast Five and G.I. Joe: Retaliation, he has become known as a 'franchise saver,' pumping fresh blood into those series. Once again Johnson knows his role by balancing big brawn and charisma with an excellence of execution to boot. It's another case of never enough Johnson on the screen, this despite his prominent role in the film.
Here as the gang's likable weak link that takes pity on their captor, being a God fearing former con Christian (cheers to a well placed Stryper reference) who slides into a coke-filled downward spiral, Johnson repeatedly shows there is so much more to him outside of the wrestling ring and on the big screen. P&G allows him to stretch his chops on a few new levels and further solidify both his tough guy image and ability to remain a treat to watch each time he swims deeper into the acting pool.
The small main cast works well for the material, as in a script weighed down with a lack of heroic characters. Wahlberg and Mackie obviously trained hard for this film and are jacked. Johnson pumped himself back into the Herculean shape that made him a WWE champion as The Rock. Mackie though has the tough gig of constantly competing with Johnson's overall likeability and Wahlberg's monologue heavy meathead mastermind. His presence here is better served through his scenes with scene stealer Rebel Wilson. Shalhoub is rarely outdone, and as the unsympathetic Columbian Jewish hostage who is not below any means to save his own ass, he is a proper foil for the film. Bay calls in favor from Ed Harris, his heavy in The Rock, for a third act appearance as Shaloub's private investigator, but his frail appearance sometimes underscores his role and the film has overstayed its welcome by the time he factors in.
What Bay does well, as always, is keeping the eye candy visuals at a constant. Nobody does it better when it comes to making a feature length movie where near every shot is framed for lavish music video standards. Thankfully his seizure inducing editing pace has been reigned in, but if your brain can tolerate Bay's prowess at 50% power for Pain & Gain's over generous two hour plus running time, you're in luck. It also goes without saying there are multiple helpings of low angle hero shots and of course a perfectly framed silhouette in front of a hazy orange drenched horizon. Plus when Johnson throws a punch, by God Bay makes sure you really feel the brutality of the impact.
Pain & Gain showcases a slick look and some solid muscle at times, and for fans of Johnson and Wahlberg, this is right up your alley. Though there are far less explosions we may have come to expect, Bay haters need not apply. If it ain't your thing, this ain't your thing. But the film should serve as a precursor of what we can look forward to once he put Transformers behind him. Hopefully we'll see a little more in the vein of Bad Boys that starts here, maybe eventually more in the style of The Rock (still his best film). Although overall clocking in a bit too long, Pain & Gain has just enough juice and entertaining low level crime caper hijinks to pass the benchmark only for its intended audience.
Pain & Gain opens in theaters on April 26th.
REVIEW RATING: ★★½☆☆☆
Directed By: Michael Bay
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Rated: R
Running Time: 129 minutes
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Sunday, July 8, 2012
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: 'Spider-Man' Amazes
To no one's surprise, Sony Pictures' The Amazing Spider-Man swung to the top of this week's Fourth of July Holiday Box Office, and managed to leave a few records in the dust since midnight screenings began on July 3rd.
The Amazing Spider-Man amassed a record breaking $35 million opening day, the highest debut ever for a Tuesday. $7.5 million of that came from midnight shows, and $4 million from the 307 IMAX 3D screens.
The Marc Webb directed reboot of the popular Marvel web slinger has now over $140 million in domestic ticket sales from its first six days of release, and a total of $342.1M internationally.
The box office success also allows Sony a sigh of relief that starting over the franchise with a new cast a mere ten years after the previous big screen origin story was not a miscalculation. Similar recent re-boots drew less than Spider-Man's weekend take of $65M, albeit without the advantage of higher 2012 premium 3-D ticket prices. But Batman Begins scored $48.7M in its opening weekend in 2005, and X-Men: First Class debuted to $55.1M in 2011. Sony has plans to make a trilogy from the series, which was fairly obvious from the deep story groundwork laid down in this installment, and will likely see the successive chapters open to bigger numbers.
Warner Bros. is without a doubt watching closely as they will need to figure out a plan of action (again) regarding Batman's big screen future following Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan's curtain cowl with the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises. Batman Begins retold the Caped Crusader's origins after the (much needed) hiatus following 1997's critic and fan panned campfest Batman & Robin. The studio will need to look towards the thankless task of moving beyond Nolan's trilogy with another interpretation.
Ted and Magic Mike held their ground with solid footing, coming in at numbers two and five, which stranded studio newcomers, the violent Oliver Stone directed guns and drugs drama Savages, and the 3-D tour documentary Katy Perry: Part Of Me, with relatively disappointing box office leavings.
Falling out of the top ten this week were the geek friendly Prometheus, Snow White & The Huntsman, and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, while the animated Brave and Madagascar 3 kept 3-D CGI family fare alive and kicking.
1. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - Weekend Gross: $65M, Total: $140M
2. TED - Weekend Gross: $32.5M, Total: $120.2M
3. BRAVE - Weekend Gross: $20.1M, Total: $174.5M
4. SAVAGES - Weekend Gross: $16.1M
5. MAGIC MIKE - Weekend Gross: $15.6M, Total: $72.2M
6. MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION - Weekend Gross: $10.2M, Total: $45.8M
7. MADAGASCAR 3 - Weekend $7.7M, Total: $196M3. BRAVE - Weekend Gross: $20.1M, Total: $174.5M
4. SAVAGES - Weekend Gross: $16.1M
5. MAGIC MIKE - Weekend Gross: $15.6M, Total: $72.2M
6. MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION - Weekend Gross: $10.2M, Total: $45.8M
8. KATY PERRY: PART OF ME - Weekend Gross: $7.1M, Total: $10.2M
9. MOONRISE KINGDOM - Weekend $4.6M, Total: $26.8M
10. TO ROME WITH LOVE - Weekend $3.5M, Total: $5.2M
Next week's big studio release is 20th Century Fox's Ice Age: Continental Drift. The fourth film in the popular series should affect the animation competition considerably, in addition to splitting further the availability of 3-D screens between Spider-Man, Brave, Madagascar, and Katy Perry.
The Amazing Spider-Man has 12 more days to enjoy his superhero free reign until battling it out with The Dark Knight Rises on July 20th.
SOURCES: Entertainment Weekly, Deadline, Yahoo!
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Next week's big studio release is 20th Century Fox's Ice Age: Continental Drift. The fourth film in the popular series should affect the animation competition considerably, in addition to splitting further the availability of 3-D screens between Spider-Man, Brave, Madagascar, and Katy Perry.
The Amazing Spider-Man has 12 more days to enjoy his superhero free reign until battling it out with The Dark Knight Rises on July 20th.
SOURCES: Entertainment Weekly, Deadline, Yahoo!
Follow @NerdyRScoundrel
Sunday, July 1, 2012
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: 'Ted' Outmuscles 'Magic Mike'
Two R-Rated films went head to head this weekend, and in the box office battle between a foul mouthed Teddy Bear and a team of male strippers led by Channing Tatum: the bear won. In additional news, Men In Black 3 has become the highest grossing entry in the blockbuster series starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, and The Amazing Spider-Man is out performing The Avengers' pre-US release numbers in some foreign markets according to box office accountants
Back here stateside, Ted, Seth MacFarlane's raunchy R-rated talking bear led leap onto the big screen was a huge success. The Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis starrer not only came in at number one at the box office, but over performed with an estimated take of over $54 million from Friday to Sunday.
Magic Mike, directed Steven Soderbergh, finished second despite offering a huge 'ladies night out' over the weekend. The film exceeded expectations and made it rain to the tune $39 million worth of singles. The semi-autobiographical tale of Channing Tatum's early days as a Florida stripper also boasted the box office eight packs of Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer (White Collar), Joe Manganiello (True Blood), and Alex Pettyfer (Beastly).
Though this weekend's numbers could have turned out entirely different had Paramount not made the 11th hour decision to push back its planned release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation from this weekend to March 29th of next year. The second film in the big screen G.I. Joe series also featured Channing Tatum, which would have had the actor competing against himself in two films on the same weekend. His role had been greatly diminished in the sequel also starring new headliners Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson, and according to sources, his character Captain Duke Hauser is actually killed off early in the film. It appears that Paramount's panic and release push is Universal and Warner Bros. box office gain.
20th Century Fox's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter disappointed again in week two, sliding to #6 with a 69% drop from last week. Prometheus - love it, like it, or hate it - continues to be debated continually and furiously online, scored nearly $5 million, bringing its total to $118 million domestically. Snow White & The Huntsman holds tight in the top ten with $4.4 million (a sequel script is in development). Star Trek fans did not show up to support the new Captain Kirk, Chris Pine in People Like Us. Despite positive reviews for his performance opposite Elizabeth Banks and Michelle Pfeiffer, the family drama came in 10th place with just over $4 million.
1. TED - Weekend Gross: $54.1M
2. MAGIC MIKE - Weekend Gross: $39.2M
3. BRAVE - Weekend Gross: $34M, Total: $131.7M
4. MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION - Weekend Gross $26.4M
5. MADAGASCAR 3 - Weekend $18.8M, Total: $180M
6. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER - Weekend $6M, Total: $29M
7. PROMETHEUS - Weekend $4.9M, Total: $118M
8. MOONRISE KINGDOM - Weekend $4.8M, Total: $18.3M
9. SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN - Weekend $4.4M, Total: $145.6M
10. PEOPLE LIKE US - Weekend $4.3M
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Men In Black 3 is now the highest grossing entry in the Sony franchise, having passed the $589.4 million made by the original MIB in 1997. Men In Black 3 has racked up $599.4 million worldwide since its release in May, and the majority of that has been earned overseas ($429.8 million vs. $169.6 million domestic).
Per Deadline, another Sony film, The Amazing-Spider-Man is out pacing the box office numbers racked up by The Avengers in some foreign markets in its pre-US release. So far the reboot of the Marvel web slinger has already earned over $50 million in Asia and Europe. Spider-Man opens here on July 3rd (with Katy Perry: Part Of Me competing for 3D screens that week).
SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline
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3. BRAVE - Weekend Gross: $34M, Total: $131.7M
4. MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION - Weekend Gross $26.4M
5. MADAGASCAR 3 - Weekend $18.8M, Total: $180M
6. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER - Weekend $6M, Total: $29M
7. PROMETHEUS - Weekend $4.9M, Total: $118M
8. MOONRISE KINGDOM - Weekend $4.8M, Total: $18.3M
9. SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN - Weekend $4.4M, Total: $145.6M
10. PEOPLE LIKE US - Weekend $4.3M
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Men In Black 3 is now the highest grossing entry in the Sony franchise, having passed the $589.4 million made by the original MIB in 1997. Men In Black 3 has racked up $599.4 million worldwide since its release in May, and the majority of that has been earned overseas ($429.8 million vs. $169.6 million domestic).
Per Deadline, another Sony film, The Amazing-Spider-Man is out pacing the box office numbers racked up by The Avengers in some foreign markets in its pre-US release. So far the reboot of the Marvel web slinger has already earned over $50 million in Asia and Europe. Spider-Man opens here on July 3rd (with Katy Perry: Part Of Me competing for 3D screens that week).
SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline
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Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Film Review - TED ★★★½☆☆
The live action / CGI raunchy comedy, and MacFarlane's feature film debut, has all the trappings of the edgy and over the top humor we've come to expect, anchored by a walking talking teddy bear that has distinct voice that falls in between Peter and Brian Griffen.
The plot revolves around Ted, a stuffed toy who became all-too-real in 1985 when a lonely boy wished upon a star for his best friend to come to life. Needless to say, the now living bear became a headlines grabbing pop icon during the '80s, but soon enough saw his roaring celebrity days fast fade away as the years dragged on.
But that lonely boy, John Bennet, remained inseparable from Ted and as the story picks up in present day. Bennet (Mark Wahlberg) finds himself an unmotivated stoner with a dead end job at a car rental company, a gorgeous girlfriend of four years longing for an overdue engagement ring (played by Family Guy's own Meg Griffen, Mila Kunis), and constantly couch sitting with his former celebrity beer guzzling pot smoking potty mouthed childhood slack-happy friend.
The raunchy humor hits hard and fast in the film's first act, with MacFarlane pushing his R-rated big screen freedom to its limits. Gross out sight gags. Check. Foul mouthed lovable characters. Check. Racial stereotype humor. Check. Below the belt raunchy sex humor. Check. Flashback asides. Check. Obscure refrences. Check. Hilarious cameos. Check.
The plot revolves around Ted, a stuffed toy who became all-too-real in 1985 when a lonely boy wished upon a star for his best friend to come to life. Needless to say, the now living bear became a headlines grabbing pop icon during the '80s, but soon enough saw his roaring celebrity days fast fade away as the years dragged on.
But that lonely boy, John Bennet, remained inseparable from Ted and as the story picks up in present day. Bennet (Mark Wahlberg) finds himself an unmotivated stoner with a dead end job at a car rental company, a gorgeous girlfriend of four years longing for an overdue engagement ring (played by Family Guy's own Meg Griffen, Mila Kunis), and constantly couch sitting with his former celebrity beer guzzling pot smoking potty mouthed childhood slack-happy friend.
The raunchy humor hits hard and fast in the film's first act, with MacFarlane pushing his R-rated big screen freedom to its limits. Gross out sight gags. Check. Foul mouthed lovable characters. Check. Racial stereotype humor. Check. Below the belt raunchy sex humor. Check. Flashback asides. Check. Obscure refrences. Check. Hilarious cameos. Check.
In addition to several memorable self mocking celebrity cameos, the supporting cast of Joel McHale, Patrick Warburton, Laura Vandervoort, Giovanni Ribisi, and narrator Patrick Stewart, offer a solid backbone that builds on the strong performances of the leads.
Much like Family Guy where a sarcastic talking dog interacts normally within society, Ted requires the same suspension of disbelief when it comes to witnessing a magical toy that flawlessly runs about in this film. And if a talking bear were to come to life, albeit here scampering around while swearing, drinking, hanging with hookers, and posing for awkward pictures with adoring fans, chances are it would look like Ted (though there is still a strong place in my heart for Teddy from A.I.).
Though the tangible believability of Ted is never felt more than in a violent hotel room bear versus man drag out fight between the fuzzy toy and Wahlberg. If Superman: The Movie could make you believe a man could fly, Ted will make you believe a stuffed bear can brawl (hint: it's best not to use the name Teddy Ruxpin in certain company).
In addition to a brilliant spot-on flashback tribute to Airplane!, you will be left in the cold if your pop culture repertoire can't appreciate a brilliant subplot and extended cameo by Sam Jones, as in Flash Ahhhhhhhh!! Gordon, the '80's 'It's So Bad That It's Awesome' Queen soundtrack fueled sci-fi classic. In typical MacFarlane manner, he really runs hard and fast with the retro reverence of it all, and the more in-the-know you are with Flash Gordon, the funnier it is.
Also a highlight is the disturbing performance by Giovanni Ribisi as Donny, the Ted-obsessed villain with an equally creepy son. Ribisi provides shards of sheer comedic ewwwww inducing moments that I actually found to be on the playing field with the 'best of' Buffalo Bill from Silence Of The Lambs. Ribisi does a lot with a little in this role.
Ted has it's demographic set in stone. There is little wiggle room available to suddenly figure out if this raunchy comedy is your cup of tea or not, so every Family Guy fan should get out and see it. For every time you wish MacFarlane's breakout animated Fox show could take it a step farther, Ted succeeds in accomplishing that on all levels. MacFarlane makes a seamless leap into feature films here by also managing to not just give fans a lazy big screen version of everything we've seen before. He manages to give us a incredible CGI creation that makes you laugh along with his unabashed frat boy bravado, and then balances it back to tug at you when it's a heartfelt buddy movie. At the core of the story, Ted and John really are lifelong best friends who care deeply for one another.
You could treat Ted as brave and bold first date movie to test the uncomfortable levels of edgy humor your better half will publicly laugh at, or be safe and secure with a group of like-minded obscure reference loving buddies to enjoy a night out with. Either way, there is great time to be had here. And frankly you will be hard pressed to find a more original comedy this year than Ted.
Ted opens on the big screen on Friday, June 29th.
Running Time: 106 minutes
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Though the tangible believability of Ted is never felt more than in a violent hotel room bear versus man drag out fight between the fuzzy toy and Wahlberg. If Superman: The Movie could make you believe a man could fly, Ted will make you believe a stuffed bear can brawl (hint: it's best not to use the name Teddy Ruxpin in certain company).
In addition to a brilliant spot-on flashback tribute to Airplane!, you will be left in the cold if your pop culture repertoire can't appreciate a brilliant subplot and extended cameo by Sam Jones, as in Flash Ahhhhhhhh!! Gordon, the '80's 'It's So Bad That It's Awesome' Queen soundtrack fueled sci-fi classic. In typical MacFarlane manner, he really runs hard and fast with the retro reverence of it all, and the more in-the-know you are with Flash Gordon, the funnier it is.
Also a highlight is the disturbing performance by Giovanni Ribisi as Donny, the Ted-obsessed villain with an equally creepy son. Ribisi provides shards of sheer comedic ewwwww inducing moments that I actually found to be on the playing field with the 'best of' Buffalo Bill from Silence Of The Lambs. Ribisi does a lot with a little in this role.
Ted has it's demographic set in stone. There is little wiggle room available to suddenly figure out if this raunchy comedy is your cup of tea or not, so every Family Guy fan should get out and see it. For every time you wish MacFarlane's breakout animated Fox show could take it a step farther, Ted succeeds in accomplishing that on all levels. MacFarlane makes a seamless leap into feature films here by also managing to not just give fans a lazy big screen version of everything we've seen before. He manages to give us a incredible CGI creation that makes you laugh along with his unabashed frat boy bravado, and then balances it back to tug at you when it's a heartfelt buddy movie. At the core of the story, Ted and John really are lifelong best friends who care deeply for one another.
You could treat Ted as brave and bold first date movie to test the uncomfortable levels of edgy humor your better half will publicly laugh at, or be safe and secure with a group of like-minded obscure reference loving buddies to enjoy a night out with. Either way, there is great time to be had here. And frankly you will be hard pressed to find a more original comedy this year than Ted.
Ted opens on the big screen on Friday, June 29th.
REVIEW RATING: ★★★½☆☆
Directed By: Seth MacFarlane
Directed By: Seth MacFarlane
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel McHale, Sam Jones
Studio: Universal Pictures
Rated: RRunning Time: 106 minutes
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