Common Sense Media Review
Spoofy send up of Western films is OK for mature tweens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
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Three Amigos!
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say this comedy film is highly entertaining and consistently funny, featuring a clever plot and memorable performances by its lead actors. While some inappropriate humor and mild violence are present, many believe it is suitable for family viewing and recommend it for audiences looking for lighthearted fun.
- funny moments
- family-friendly
- mild content
- clever plot
- great performances
- entertaining for all
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
It's the 1920s, and the THREE AMIGOS -- Dusty (Chevy Chase), Lucky (Steve Martin), and Ned (Martin Short) -- are silent film stars who've been successful in a series of films casting them as crusaders for justice in the Wild West. When a villager of Santa Poco, Mexico -- desperate to find protection for her village -- stumbles into a movie showing in a small town, she confuses the men on the screen with the characters that they're playing. After summoning them to Santa Poco, the boys are met by El Guapo and his gang of bandits, and the amigos quickly become aware that the violent display the bandits put on is the real thing.
Is It Any Good?
Three Amigos is a truly inspired, and still somewhat light, comedy. It's chock full of laughs at every turn, with the Hollywood-raised Amigos constantly proving how much difference there is between film stars playing roles and men playing out those roles in real life. Although they're stars in the silent era of film, there are a few memorable musical sequences, including the opening theme song, a precious rendition of "My Little Buttercup" in front of an angry barroom crowd, and a campfire sing-a-long in which the horses and other desert animals join in as the chorus.
In keeping with Westerns, men are shot and killed, but these deaths are quick and cartoonish with none of the major characters being affected. For those families with some interest in action films, particularly older Westerns, this film will be pure pleasure as it makes light of the tricks always employed by those movies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difference between violence in comedies and in action movies. Which has more impact? Why?
Why do the villagers think that the amigos are real gunfighters? How do the amigos' attitudes change when they realize that the bandits are shooting real bullets at them?
Is it believable that the amigos are able to pull the villagers together to stand up against the bandits in the final showdown? Is believability even necessary for a comedy?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 1, 1986
- On DVD or streaming : November 9, 1999
- Cast : Chevy Chase , Martin Short , Steve Martin
- Director : Marilyn Agrelo
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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