OK for kids 9+
Stooge tribute amuses despite violence, some iffy stuff.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Three Stooges is the Farrelly brothers' tribute to the famous 1930s/40s comedy team. Though the Stooges are generally good-hearted and have the best intentions, they're exceedingly violent, mainly to one another. This constant slapstick has no physical effect and no consequences for the Stooges themselves, though secondary characters do receive injuries. Also, the movie's plot has the Stooges accepting a job to murder a man for money, though they naively believe that he's dying and that the money will go to save an orphanage. Expect a few suggestive sexual situations and comical innuendo, as well as insulting language like "stupid," "moron," and "shut up." The reality show Jersey Shore is featured prominently. The Three Stooges is much tamer than the Farrellys' usual fare, and a semi-comical disclaimer at the end addresses the movie's violence and urges kids not to try it, but this is still the most juvenile brand of broad comedy.
- Families can talk about the Stooges' comical hitting and violence. Is it funny? What makes it different from action-based violence? The sound effects? The lack of injuries and blood?
- Are the Stooges role models? They're "pure of heart" and trying to save the orphanage where they were raised, but their methods are somewhat questionable. Can they be excused?
- What is The Three Stooges trying to say? Are the Stooges rewarded for being good people? Do they learn any lessons from their actions or behavior?
- Kids: Does watching the Stooges make you want to imitate them?
The good stuff
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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.
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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.
What to watch for
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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.
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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.
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Language: Characters tell each other to "shut up" and call each other "stupid" and "moron." One "oh my God."
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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.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue, though a salmon is shown with an unlit cigar in its mouth.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Perfect! by dcopps
Really well done. The characters were so perfect at times you just accepted these were the three stooges. If you like the 3stooges go! If you never liked them - you still won't... For all the right reasons!
5
Loved it by Ric1367
Stooges were awesome!! They had the 3 down poifectly. Go see it. Does anyone know the names of the 3 Law firms in the movie? One was Kicken Harter Indagroyne. The other two?
5
The Three Stooges by wgm
This is an absolute must see, it was hilarous. I could not stop laughing and even when it turned slightly serious, it still remained somewhat light hearted. The cast was amazing, the three leads were fantastic together, Will Sasso, Chris Dimantopoulos (I hoped I spelled that right), and Sean Hayes were perfectly casted and the chemistry was just perfect. I like the addition of the Jersey Shore Cast just added comeic genius. Even though I hate Modern Family and Sofia Vergera she was delightfully hilarous as well. This movie is for the fans of the orginal Moe, Larry, and Curly but it is also a great famly film, but don't take my word for it, see it for yourselves.
4
Just Say Moe! by Movie_Buff_86
If you want a laugh at the movies go check out "The Three Stooges" when you get a chance. I saw this with my parents and it was an enjoyable film! You have the same old gimmicks they had back then, with the great one liners. Nice way to spend a afternoon on a rainy day. See it.
5
Amazing!!!! by jnewlon1989
The movie was absolutely! The three men in this movie were so true to the original three stooges. I'm absolutely impressed with how their timing was just like the original three and with how they looked and sounded like the three stooges. The thing that impressed me the most, however, was how they moved like the originals. As a Three Stooges expert and enthusiast, I went in skeptical and worried about how disappointed I was going to be, but let me tell you, it was a fantastic film and I suggest everyone go see it, especially the true Three Stooges fans.
5
The three stooges are back! by auburn huntress
As a kid I used to love to watch The Three Stooges! That is when I wasn't at my babysitter's house she wouldn't let us watch it. She said it was to violent. Wow if she was still around she would be changing her mind on that one. All I have to say is if you are a Stooges fan then you will like this movie. Everyone did a great job bringing the characters back to life. I almost couldn't tell the difference between the old stooges and the new stooges. The only difference I could tell was that of course it was in color and that it was in a modern day setting. They still did all the crazy things the stooges did back in the day. There were a lot of funny things going on in this movie and the antics of Moe, Larry and Curly sometimes made me cringe. I really enjoyed this movie and can't wait for another one. If you liked the stooges back in the day you will like this movie.
3
Awesome for a true.a fan... by traci.clow
I wasn't too impressed, but I'm not a tried and true Stooges fan. My 15 year old, however, is a major fan and was laughing thru the entire movie. I think they did a great job of keeping the mood and nastalgia of the Stooges.
5
One of the funniest movies I've seen in a long, long time! SOINTENTLY!!!!! by kidsofthecore
For months I waited after they released the first trailers for the film. Being a true Stooge fan I was anticipating this movie from the beginning. The film was great, it didn't need a complex story just a simple fit, a lot of humor and a great time. From beginning to end I laughed so hard I cried and yes, almost peed myself. That funny! The three actors would have made Moe & Curly Howard along with Larry Fine beyond proud to know that their legacy lives on and that they still can make people laugh with the occasional eye poke. The Farelly Brothers lived up to their long line of directing humorous films. They truly showed their fans of the Stooges by incorporating their classic slapstick mixed with modern day scenarios. I'm sure everyone by the end of the movie was doing the Curly Shuffle I know I was. I would recommend this movie to the diehard Stooge fan, especially those who knew it wasn't to replace them but to honor them! Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk! Goodbye! GoodBYE! GOODBYE!!!! SOINTENTLY!
4
Three Stooges by cutglassbowl
I saw the three stooges movie. It was good for many belly laughs and brought back fond memories of a bygone era of comedy. This movie is not for everyone, but then, what movie is now days?