Ted - B-

Rated R, 106 minutes

Ted and Mark Wahlberg

Raunchy & enjoyable "Ted" also has heart

Do teddy bears have real heart? Maybe not in real life, but in the new comedic fantasy, "Ted," they sure do. Directed, written by and co-starring "Family Guy" star and creator Seth MacFarlane, the busy but entertaining "Ted" seemingly appeals to the lowest common denominator, and those who enjoy filthy, offensive comedy will get a kick out of it. Yet there's a decent message behind all the familiar schtick that MacFarlane and company throw at you - and what you've heard is true - the teddy bear is cute, cuddly and very foul-mouthed (and not for kids). John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) is a perfectly normal Boston native whose childhood wish for his teddy bear to come to life comes true. The bear, Ted (voiced by MacFarlane), who has become famous in the process, remains his best friend into his adult years. Conflict emerges when Ted's irresponsible and vulgar, slacker lifestyle comes in the way of John's attempt to embrace adulthood and his love-interest Lori (Mila Kunis). MacFarlane, whose off-color, somewhat mean-spirited humor has served him well with "Family Guy," "American Dad" and other TV shows, makes his big screen debut as director and writer of the guilty-pleasure, exceedingly raunchy and predictable "Ted," which also provides more laughs and warmth than you may admit to. On the upside, there's plenty of laughs, quick wit and a surprising amount of poignancy to it. On the downside, the film has a sitcomy-"Family Guy" formula to it, unsurprising given MacFarlane's past TV experience, and often it seems that Brian the dog has been reincarnated as a big-screen, drug-addicted and lazy teddy bear. MacFarlane also brings some of his "Family Guy" actors to "Ted," including Kunis (who voices Meg on the show) as one of the leads, who makes an altogether pretty couple with Wahlberg, both of whom have a good time here.  I'd like to see MacFarlane branch out to other areas of comedy, but he knows his formula and he sticks to it well, such as throwing out plenty of pop-culture references he's known for, including amusing cameos from the '80s version of "Flash Gordon" Sam Jones, who is (still) remarkably recognizable as well as Ryan Reynolds and singer Norah Jones. With MacFarlane doing duty as director, producer, writer and voice of "Ted," it comes as no surprise that the teddy bear has the best lines, most of which aren't printable here. The last act of "Ted" is its weakest: you know where it's going, though it's best if you just go with it and forget you're watching a talking teddy bear. "Ted" is far from dull and enjoyably raunchy but certainly not for the younger set.