In San Francisco, Michael Brooks is a writer of children's books, but no publisher seems to want new material from him right now. His wife Amelia sells real estate and has a hard time dealing with stress (I've never seen anyone so stressed WHILE doing yoga). And the landlord wants to sell their house, and if they can't buy it they have to leave.
The two children get nice presents for doing well in school. Laney gets a magical teddy bear named Ted, which Michael found in Mei Mei's store in Chinatown. Ted glows and seems to be able to talk. Laney's brother Eric thinks that's just silly.
Aussie is the dog with the Australian accent who narrates the story. He is jealous of Ted because he and Laney were best friends, so he hides Ted, and when Ted is found he hides Ted in a better place. And when Carlos rakes the leaves at the Brooks house, he finds Ted but doesn't notice him. Fortunately, Aussie has a great sense of smell (though he admits he's not as good as a bloodhound) and is able to find Ted as Carlos is leaving. But Aussie is only able to follow Ted, and the bear keeps getting away.
Meanwhile, Michael's Aunt Zelda needs someone to watch her farm while she goes to South Africa. Michael always loved visiting the farm, and the kids seem enthusiastic, but Amelia doesn't want to go. The family seems to have no other choice, though. And Laney is upset about losing Ted and now Aussie.
In the process of searching for Ted, Aussie meets Cricket, a pretty Pomerian who belongs to a reporter for Channel One news. The big and mean Rufus is jealous of Aussie. Other animals who seem to be able to talk are Mei Mei's bird, an orange tabby cat named Recess, a porcupine, and a shark.
Ted's adventures take him into several different cultures. We are reminded that as many times as Caucasian children have had a piñata at birthday parties, it was a Latino custom first. Ted also finds his way into the hands of a Chinese child and a black child, and even a homeless man. There is a parade with a dragon in Chinatown.
No matter what the situation, Ted manages to find his way to safety, sometimes by communicating with the child or animal.
Meanwhile, the Brooks family has their own adventures on the farm. They seem to be enjoying themselves, but Amelia may never adjust.
This is a good clean movie with no offensive content unless you count the time Aussie remembers what happened when he ate chili and uses it as a weapon. And no matter how dangerous the situation appears, nothing really bad happens.
I do a couple of complaints about the movie. Amelia is just plain annoying. And the writing for the people doesn't seem particularly intelligent. Believe it or not, it is possible to make a movie children can watch which has some challenge. But in this movie, only the animals seem to have at least some lines which aren't corny.
This is a fun adventure for the whole family.
