The Three Stooges Review

Messages: Violence (poking, hitting, etc.) is the Stooges' reaction in just about every situation, and there aren't any consequences for it -- they're never injured, and they never learn any lessons from their behavior. (A semi-comical disclaimer comes at the end of the movie, urging kids not to try these things at home.) The Stooges may be, as one character describes them, "pure of heart," but they sometimes do bad things without realizing their gravity. And their reward at the end of the movie is riches and fame, which may send the wrong message about their motivations.

Role models: Though the Stooges perform good deeds, and though the movie does include a disclaimer about kids not trying this stuff at home, the main characters' violent and (accidentally) destructive behavior isn't something that parents would want kids emulating. That said, Moe is dedicated to staying with his friends through thick and thin, the Stooges are committed to saving the orphanage where they were raised, and the children there genuinely love them.

Violence: Guns are pulled, but not by the Stooges themselves, and no characters die. The Stooges' violence mostly happens among themselves and includes fists, pulling, poking, jabbing, and bashing with hammers, mallets, chainsaws, and other implements -- none of which results in permanent damage (often, obvious dummies are used for the more dangerous stunts). The Stooges naively accept a job to kill a sick man, and they make (comical) attempts but don't succeed. Moe also inflicts beatings on the cast of Jersey Shore. A villainous character is the victim of many attacks and accidents, and he's shown hurt, with bandages, casts, and scratches. The Stooges have a "fight" with peeing babies in one scene.

Sex: Lydia is shown in a hotel room with a man who isn't her husband. Sex isn't discussed, but it's clear that they've been up to something (the hotel is called the Filander Inn). In another scene, Lydia hoists a man over a wall; he steps on her breast, and it makes a "honking" sound. She's dressed in sexy clothes throughout; a pretty "nun" also appears in a revealing bikini. There's a quick shot of a lion's testicles as they're being hit with a projectile. Also mild innuendo in one or two scenes.

Language: Characters tell each other to "shut up" and call each other "stupid" and "moron." One "oh my God."

Consumerism: The TV show Jersey Shore is shown and referenced at length after Moe becomes a cast member. There's a joke involving an Apple iPhone. 

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue, though a salmon is shown with an unlit cigar in its mouth.