 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Three Stooges
- Review Date: April 13, 2012
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Stooge tribute amuses despite violence, some iffy stuff.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
What's the story?
Dropped at an orphanage as babies, Moe (Chris Diamantopoulos), Larry (Sean Hayes), and Curly (Will Sasso) grow up to be troublemakers. Moe nearly gets adopted, but doesn't want to go without his friends. As adults, they still work at the orphanage, constantly poking and hitting one another and causing all sorts of havoc. When the orphanage's future is threatened, the Stooges head to the big city to raise the money to save it. This involves a seedy murder/infidelity plot, of which the boys have no knowledge, but it also involves Moe landing a role on the reality show Jersey Shore. Can the Stooges get themselves out of trouble and save the kids?
Is it any good?
Written and directed by die-hard Three Stooges fans Bobby and Peter Farrelly, THE THREE STOOGES is both loving and peculiar. The cast members emulate the famous 1930s-era comedians perfectly, catching their rhythms, tones, and mannerisms with amazing accuracy. And in copying the very primal combination of wordplay and slapstick, they generate some genuine laughs.
But the movie has mixed messages. Though the Stooges are shown to be "pure of heart," they agree to murder a man for money (even though the man is said to be terminally ill and the money will go to save the orphanage). And though their violence is usually reserved for each other, sometimes other characters suffer directly or indirectly from their antics. Overall, The Three Stooges has a few misplaced scenes, such as a battle with peeing babies, but the Farrellys keep this movie more focused and less bloated than some of their other efforts.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
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?
- Show:
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
Adult
April 13, 2012
AGE
"The Three Stooges"...Definitely A Success!
As a former Teacher of young children and a Stooges fan, I endorse this movie for parents, grandparents, and children.
As Mr. Anderson points out, the Stooges do agree to assist in a man's death--what he didn't mention is that the Stooges initially refuse flat-out and are only persuaded when the man lies to them and tells them he has a medical condition that will cause him horrible pain and suffering; that this would be an act of mercy.
For audiences in their teen years or older, this might actually be a gentle, nonthreatening way to bring up opinions on the "right to die" with your children. Nobody wants to think about death, but this is a topic that merits discussion, and families should know, not guess at, what their loved ones would want.
Younger audiences will likely only see that the Stooges are being duped...again.
There is no foul language, and at the end the Farrelly Brothers include an explanation of how the special effects and visual tricks in the movie are accomplished and a warning NEVER to hit others with hammers or poke them in the eyes.
I am recommending this for audiences 8 and up, but if the kid wants to see it, I think one could go a bit lower.
There is some violence in this film (It's The Three Stooges!) but there is also a great deal of love. For instance, when the Stooges are children at the Orphanage, Moe is about to be adopted by a wealthy couple who can offer him a better life, but he won't go without Larry and Curley.
Go see this movie! You will be pleasantly surprised.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 12, 2012
AGE
I Want To See This Movie So Bad
This Movie May Be Good For Younger Kids But The Bad Words Not That Bad
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Parent
April 14, 2012
AGE
Not for kids!
They ruined the sweetness of the movie. There is a murder plot that could of been avoided. Wife having an affair and wants her husband killed. Not for elementary age kids. We walked out. Major parent fail!
What other families should know:
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Parent of 6, 10, 13, 14, 17, and 19 year old
April 14, 2012
AGE
Disrespectful
Due to the 'sexy nun' scene, we are boycotting this film. It is extremely disrespectful to the holy order.
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Adult
April 13, 2012
AGE
should be great
i for one really want to see this movie and think it looks great and funny but would just like too remind parents or perhaps tell some for the first time that this movie is rated pg and will probabley contain some sort of adult and mature content ps. the reason that i put it had a positive role model is because the stooges are all three good friends so i think that may teach kids about friendship
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Kid, 7 years old
April 14, 2012
AGE
A funny movie about guys that grew up together. When they are grown ups they try to earn money to save the orphanage.
At the end they tell kids not to hurt each other at home. They show that the hammer and other things were rubber and didnt really hurt. They also showed that they didnt really poke eyes.
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Teen, 16 years old
April 13, 2012
AGE
uj
The Stooges comedy effert for getting the kids of our time to like them, they need to try harder.
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Adult
April 13, 2012
AGE
That's Funny!
The 3 Stooges are good funny characters!
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Kid, 10 years old
April 15, 2012
AGE
..."Stooges" is great fun!
From the classic show, Moe, Curly, and Larry (not the real ones) star in "The Three Stooges." This adaptation of the old TV show delivers requests of murder, eye-poking, and other silly and a bit violent hitting and hammer hitting. These mid-intense violent contents will make you and your child laugh. Tossed in, language is tame except for a few uses of shut up," "moron," and "stupid." In one scene, a rat goes down into the bra of a woman with big breasts. There is some crude humor throughout the film but it is still a great film for the whole family!
What other families should know:
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Kid, 9 years old
April 15, 2012
AGE
awesome for 9 years old and higher
im nine i loved this movie when i saw it when it first came out i laughed the entire time!
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| Topics: | friendship |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Directors: | Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly |
| Cast: | Chris Diamantopoulous, Sean Hayes, Will Sasso |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 13, 2012 |
| DVD release date: | July 17, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | slapstick action violence, some rude and suggestive humor including language |
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