Seth McFarlane’s directorial debut feature film, Ted, was hands down the funniest movie I have ever seen. The frequent moments of madness caused me to laugh my hardest, and brought me to tears several times. It was always going to be an almost impossible task for McFarlane to top the first installment, but he gave it a damn good go when creating Ted 2. However, while there was a constant barrage of hilarious moments, unlike my experience when watching the first movie, I was able to control my laughter.

Mark Wahlberg (Daddy’s Home, Entourage, The Gambler) reprises his role as Ted’s best friend, John Bennett who is still miserable after a divorce from the beautiful Lori Collins (Mila Kunis – Jupiter Ascending, Third Person, Friends with Benefits), six months prior. Ted (Seth McFarlane (voice) – A Million Ways to Die in the West, Family Guy, American Dad) and Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth – Family Guy, Get Smart, Next) get married, and quickly regress into a relationship where they fight constantly. In an attempt to save their marriage, they decide to have a child. Of course, this choice requires the assistance of a donor father, considering Ted’s lack of the male human reproductive organs. The ensuing hilarious quest for sperm reveals the unfortunate news that Tami-Lyn is infertile, due to her history of excessive drug use. Down, but not out, the unlikely couple choose to adopt instead. However, when initiating the application process, their ineligibility to adopt is soon realised due to Ted being considered property, in the eyes of the state. And so, the craziness turns outrageous during Ted’s crusade to prove he is indeed, a person.

Giovanni Ribisi is again disturbingly fantastic as the neurotic antagonist, Donny. And, Sam J. Jones is as cool as ever as John and Ted’s ultimate super hero, Flash Gordon. Newcomers to the cast include: Amanda Seyfried (A Million Ways to Die in the West, In Time, Dear John), as the gorgeous Sam L. Jackson; the legendary Morgan Freeman (Lucy, Transcendence, Now You See Me, and over 70 other movies since 1964), as the fancy, erudite civil rights lawyer, Patrick Meighan; and John Slattery (The Adjustment Bureau, Iron Man 2, Mad Men), as the smooth talking prosecution lawyer, Shep Wild. Ted 2 also plays host to cameos from a number of stars including: Sebastian Arcelus, as Dr. Danzer; Liam Neeson, as a paranoid customer served by Ted; and Tom Brady, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel and Taran Killam, who all play themselves.

McFarlane’s homage to John Hughes’ films during Ted 2, is priceless. The Breakfast Club scene in the library is unmistakable, and the ultimate John Candy tribute from Planes, Trains and Automobiles during the trip that Ted, John and Samantha make to New York is a classic! There are also a couple of silly quotes from Jurassic Park when the trio find a huge, marijuana crop. Funny stuff.

Of course, not everyone likes McFarlane’s sense of humour. Like Eddie Murphy in Raw, his crass nature is on full display and shows no inhibitions behind the cuddly and lovable disguise of Ted. During one scene, McFarlane dares to touch on what most comedians avoid by suggesting such topics as 9/11, Charlie Hebdo and Robin Williams to an improvisation group at a comedy show. This is nothing new to McFarlane’s fans however, American Dad and Family Guy are full of politically incorrect craziness, in all of it’s glory. America needs someone to burst their patriotic bubble of pride every now and then. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

If you like Ted 2, you might also like: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), Pineapple Express (2008), Step Brothers (2008), Ted (2012), A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014).

The Movie Lad rates this: Three and a half out of a possible five fresh cakes.