The Three Stooges

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
The Three Stooges Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Stooge tribute amuses despite violence, some iffy stuff.

PG 2012 92 minutes
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 21 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 44 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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.

Community Reviews

ExudingTwilight
ExudingTwilight Adult
August 17, 2012
age 16+

WHY IS THE THREE STOOGES RATED PG?

I found some of the material highly inappropriate for a young audience. I am confused by the rating of this movie and needless to say, I was surprised when I watched this film with my six year old son. We did not make it through the entire film. It was a waste of money and I was very disappointed. Also, despite what the original review says, there are references to alcohol. A man is put to sleep with an unknown substance, social drinking is portrayed, a cigar is used as a prop, and at least two product placements for beer are included. Also, infants are used as human squirt guns and an infant is kicked across the floor of a nursery.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
Longhornmom
Longhornmom Adult
August 17, 2012
age 11+

Very disappointed in plot about cheating wife...in family movie

I was VERY disappointed in a few of the scenes of this movie. A large part of the plot is a woman wanting them to kill her husband (implied that she is with this other man) for money. They may make it comical but they couldn't come up with a more family friendly plot for the Three Stooges than that? For a PG movie I didn't expect infidelity and murder for hire in the movie even if it is a joke. Our kids are not stupid and clearly pick up on that even if it isn't explained in detail. And for much of the movie the actress has her chest shoved up and in sexy outfit, and shots like the rat going in her chest. I expect this stuff in other movies but I just really didn't expect it in this movie. And the final straw was the Nun in a sexy/skimpy swimsuit with her chest busting out. I was offended by that and thought that crossed the line. Overall the movie was kind of funny and okay and not the worst ever. But I am still just so surprised at the choices of plots for what we expected to be the corny 3 Stooges. Research says that even younger teens should not be exposed to this type of sexualization of women. Boys and girls both get improper views of the opposite sex with some of this content that gets put in PG movies that does not contribute anything to it. At least don't put this stuff in movies that are not marketed as such. I way prefer something like PG13 Harry Potter for my kids compared to junk like this.

This title has:

Too much sex
1 person found this helpful.
See all 21 parent reviews

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

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