Lacking the spark of the first film, Ted 2 numerous funny moments are drowned out by a main plot that begs to be taken seriously, yet is lost in the shuffle of Seth MacFarlane's throw spaghetti on the wall comedy stylings.

There is no doubt MacFarlane is a talented man, yet three feature films in and it's clear that his sketch heavy style of crude comedy works best in short blocks (as evident in the success of his many animated TV shows).

The one exception to the rule was Ted, a surprise of a film and monster hit released in 2013 about average Boston guy John (Mark Wahlberg) and his bong smoking, foul mouthed teddy bear Ted (voiced by MacFarlane), that successfully transitioned the Family Guy creator’s gag-centric shtick to the big screen while also featuring great chemistry between its two leads.

Ted 2 does much of the same, however poor pacing and an overreaching yet undercooked central plot drowns out the films best moments, resulting in an average at best affair that could have been more if it's running time were less and attempt at enlightenment “MacFarlane style” abandoned.

The film begins with John & Ted at different ends of the relationship spectrum. After quite the nifty opening credits sequence, Ted & his white trash love Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) wed in a ceremony presided by Flash Gordon star Sam Jones (portraying himself), while John deals with the heartbreak of a divorce from first film love interest Lori (Mila Kunis, who did not reprise her role due to pregnancy).

Yet domestic bliss doesn't last for Ted when he is found by the state of Massachusetts not to be a "person" but rather "property", resulting in the loss of his job, marriage and essentially his "human" dignity. This leads to a showdown in the courts as Ted, John and idealistic young lawyer Samantha (Amanda Seyfried) fight for Ted's civil rights.

It is an interesting concept, yet one that runs out of steam very quickly. MacFarlane tries to draw longbow comparisons to racial and homosexual rights issues in order to generate some dramatic power, yet is unable to wade through the thick haze of his constant pothead propagandising (Seth Rogen eat your heart out), not to mention the simple fact that while this talking teddy bear can draw laughs, the character as a construct is unable to stir minds and souls.

Several strong comedic moments do feature throughout Ted 2, among them a hilarious scene where they pair shout out highly inappropriate suggestions at an improv comedy show, and also a highly gross out yet funny scene in a fertility clinic. 

Yet feature too does much wasted celluloid, chief among them a sub-plot where (once again) creepy stalker Donny (villain from the first film, played by Giovanni Ribisi) tries to de-stuff little Ted. It didn't work in the first film, and it sure doesn't here.

Ted worked thanks to the fun interplay between Wahlberg & MacFarlane, and its enthusiastic approach to draw out a laugh. This sequel's attempt to broaden its horizons with commentary about what it is to be human lacks the depth, provocation and laughs to justify messing with a winning formula.