Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stooge tribute amuses despite violence, some iffy stuff.
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The Three Stooges
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 21 parent reviews
Based on 40 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a mix of nostalgia and humor, packed with slapstick violence and suggestive content that makes it less suitable for younger viewers. While many found it hilarious and a good family film, several reviews criticized its crude humor and warned about the appropriateness for children under 13 due to its violent and suggestive scenes.
- nostalgic humor
- slapstick violence
- suggestive content
- family-friendly or not
- suitable age range
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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
- In theaters : April 13, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : July 17, 2012
- Cast : Chris Diamantopoulous , Sean Hayes , Will Sasso
- Directors : Bobby Farrelly , Peter Farrelly
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : slapstick action violence, some rude and suggestive humor including language
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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