Ted 2 (15)

COURTROOMS and comedy do not normally mix but Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane gives it a good go in Ted 2.

The sequel to the 2012 film, about a stoner teddy bear who comes to life after a wish comes true, sees Ted hauled in front of the courts when he is declared to be 'property' rather than a person.

He is fired from his job, his marriage is annulled and his plans of adopting a baby with Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) are dashed.

His only hope to win the case is junior lawyer Samantha (Amanda Seyfried) and the unwavering support of his 'thunder buddy' John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg)

It is a premise that should not work for a brash comedy but McFarlane just about pulls it off.

But with Ted 2 sticking to the same formula of the original with crude jokes and drug references there is the risk that the series could lose its novelty with a third outing.

This is especially true for Family Guy fans as the film comes off as a less offensive, less risk-taking version of that.

That said, the film is well paced, never dull and actually has many warm themes at its heart.

A lot of the returning characters that gave Ted its bizarre charm in the first place also make a return including narrator Patrick Stewart, 'Flash Gordon' Sam J. Jones and Donny (Giovanni Ribisi).

- Ted 2 is released on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday

DAVID MORGAN