Ted 2 Blu-ray Review

Ted 2's Blu-ray video presentation is a high-quality treat for the eyes, perfectly aligning with the material's aesthetic demands. Colors display deeply saturated vibrancy and delineated depth, enhancing the viewing experience with resolute images, stable sharpness, and crisp detail. The color range, particularly in the vivid opening credits and the Comic-Con re-creation scenes, is astounding. This presentation also excels in contrast, maintaining a dynamic yet balanced intensity, with deep, inky blacks revealing discernible details in low lighting and shadows.

The Blu-ray's 1080p transfer boasts an amazingly clear and expertly colored image, without deviating into overly glossy or flat territory. Each surface and texture is depicted with precision; facial features exude complexity, clothing lines are tactile, and urban backdrops bristle with structural nuances. Even distant aerial shots reveal astounding definition of far-away structures. The video's color palette is robust, with bright and plentiful shades enriching various scenes, particularly green vegetation and Comic-Con's myriad hues. Black levels retain their natural depth, and flesh tones remain convincingly natural.

Technically proficient, 'Ted 2' shows no significant evidence of noise, banding, macroblocking, or aliasing, ensuring a smooth viewing experience. Small instances of aliasing/shimmering occur in some panning shots of buildings but remain minor distractions in an otherwise top-tier transfer. Overall, this impeccably detailed and visually rich Blu-ray from Universal will undoubtedly satisfy most viewers.

The audio presentation of the "Ted 2" Blu-ray excels with a finely detailed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that immerses listeners in its rich soundscape. The orchestral score, smooth Jazz numbers, energetic Pop beats, and even the memorable Jurassic Park theme are rendered with potent clarity and precise definition. Dialogue is superbly prioritized and consistently centered, ensuring every word is clear and intelligible. Surround sound elements are carefully integrated, providing a balanced mix between dominant front channels and active surround channels, creating an expansive and engaging listening environment.

The sound effects are equally noteworthy, with city atmospherics, Comic-Con crowd chatter, and courtroom reverberation providing an authentic ambiance. Key scenes like the wedding at the film's start and the Comic-Con climax showcase excellent use of directionality, with dialogue panning across speakers for a dynamic audio experience. The low-end response is powerful yet controlled, effectively supporting impactful moments such as gunshots and the pulse-pounding explosion in chapter 13. Notably, the track is free from technical issues like dropouts or hissing, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted listening experience.

Additionally, the Blu-ray features supplemental audio options, including 5.1 DTS tracks in Spanish and French, along with an English 2.0 Descriptive Video Service track. Subtitles are available in English SDH, Spanish, and French, broadening accessibility for diverse audiences. All these elements collectively enhance the auditory experience, making "Ted 2" on Blu-ray a noteworthy offering for audio enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray release of "Ted 2" boasts an impressive array of extra features that significantly enhance the viewing experience. Among the highlights is the inclusion of both the Theatrical and Unrated versions of the film, providing fans with additional content that delves deeper into the narrative. The audio commentary, featuring insights from Seth MacFarlane, Jessica Barth, Alec Sulkin, and Wellesley Wild, is particularly engaging, offering a blend of behind-the-scenes anecdotes and enjoyable banter. The extras cover various aspects of the film’s production, from on-set chemistry to intricate costume designs. Technical details remain an integral part of this review to maintain its professional and informative tone.

Extras included in this disc:

• 7 Deleted Scenes: Buy My Shoes, WWI, We Should Celebrate, and more.
• Gag Reel: Outtakes from the film.
• Cameo Buddies: Featuring Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Tom Brady, David Hasselhoff.
• A Giant Opening Dance Number: Behind-the-scenes of the dance sequence.
• Thunder Buddies 4 Lyfe: Screen chemistry and highlight moments.
• Roadtripping: Making of the road trip sequence.
• Creating Comic-Con: Four segments on making the Comic-Con sequence.
• Feature Commentary: Insights from Seth MacFarlane and others.

"Ted 2," the sequel to Seth MacFarlane's 2012 hit, continues to explore the crude yet charming world of the title character, a foul-mouthed, pot-smoking teddy bear voiced by MacFarlane himself. The film kicks off with Ted’s (voiced by MacFarlane) marriage to Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) followed by the unraveling of their relationship as they decide to adopt a child. Complications arise when the government declares Ted property rather than a person, leading him, alongside his best friend John (Mark Wahlberg) and new lawyer Samantha (Amanda Seyfried), to fight for his legal personhood. The narrative is simultaneously a humorous exploration of existence and a parody of established tropes, most notably reflecting themes from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Measure of a Man," where the android Data’s sentience is questioned.

MacFarlane manages to imbue "Ted 2" with his signature crude humor while attempting to tackle deeper philosophical questions around identity and personhood. The film is filled with rapid-fire jokes, pop-culture references, and no shortage of explicit language, aligning it closely with shows like "South Park." Amidst the coarse humor, there are notable cameos and clever throw-away lines, including an entertaining appearance by Liam Neeson and some insightful jabs at Amanda Seyfried’s wide-eyed persona. The humor, while consistently vulgar, is underscored by a blend of digital effects and witty voice acting that brings Ted to life in a remarkably believable manner.

Despite its comedic high points, "Ted 2" does suffer from issues of pacing and excessive length, particularly in its extended cut. Some jokes and sequences feel overly drawn out, causing the film to occasionally lose momentum. Nevertheless, the film remains a fun ride lifted by effervescent performances from Wahlberg and Seyfried, as well as grandiose visual gags, such as fisticuffs involving Starfleet cosplayers. Although it’s not as surprisingly fresh as the original, "Ted 2" should satisfy fans with its blend of irreverent humor and heartfelt moments.

"Ted 2," directed by Seth MacFarlane, reasserts the dynamic bond between John and his anthropomorphic teddy bear, Ted, delivering a familiar blend of crude humor and heartfelt moments. Though the plot loosely borrows from classic sci-fi, its simplicity serves as a backdrop for the duo's comedic antics and their seamless on-screen chemistry, bolstered by excellent digital effects and voice work. The film, however, suffers slightly from an overextended runtime that may test the audience's endurance.

Universal's Blu-ray release of "Ted 2" shines technically, providing exceptional video and audio quality. The bright and sharp visuals are mirrored by immersive and clear soundscapes, ensuring an engaging viewing experience. The extras, while average in quantity, complement the main feature sufficiently without overshadowing it.

In conclusion, "Ted 2" retains the charm and humor of its predecessor. While it doesn't surprise as the original did and could benefit from a more concise edit, fans of the first movie will find ample enjoyment in this sequel. For those seeking a mix of raucous humor and genuine companionship on-screen, this Blu-ray edition comes highly recommended.