The Three Stooges (2012)

While trying to save their childhood orphanage, Moe, Larry and Curly inadvertently stumble into a murder plot and wind up starring in a reality television show.

Directors:

Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly

Writers:

Mike Cerrone, Bobby Farrelly

Stars:

Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos, Will Sasso

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Hayes	...	Larry
Will Sasso	...	Curly
Chris Diamantopoulos	...	Moe
Jane Lynch	...	Mother Superior
Sofía Vergara	...	Lydia
Jennifer Hudson	...	Sister Rosemary
Craig Bierko	...	Mac
Stephen Collins	...	Mr. Harter
Larry David	...	Sister Mary-Mengele
Kirby Heyborne	...	Teddy
Carly Craig	...	Mrs. Harter
Kate Upton	...	Sister Bernice
Marianne Leone	...	Sister Ricarda
Brian Doyle-Murray	...	Monsignor Ratliffe
Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino	...	The Situation (as Michael Sorrentino)

Storyline

Left on the doorstep of an orphanage run by nuns at birth, three friends Moe, Larry and Curly spend their time eye poking and slapping each other all the day long. But when their orphanage suddenly goes bankrupt, the three Stooges set out to save it by journeying into the world to find a way to raise the money required. But their quest brings them into being used in a murder scheme and landing them into a popular reality show.

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Plot Keywords:

pistol | revolver | escape | rooftop | hospital | 

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Taglines:

Stupidity loves company.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for slapstick action violence, some rude and suggestive humor including language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 April 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Three Stooges

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,010,125, 15 April 2012

Gross USA:

$44,338,224

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$54,819,301

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Conundrum Entertainment, Wessler Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the 1970s, Mel Brooks sought to write and direct a Three Stooges movie starring himself, Marty Feldman and Dom DeLuise as Moe, Larry and Curly. The trio eventually made Silent Movie (1976) instead.

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Goofs

Teddy says he would not be able to open the door to the car they're all in because there's too much pressure from the water on the outside. While that may be true when there'e no water in the car, once the water pressure evens out, the door has a better chance of being opened. Also, no one suggested trying to roll the windows down, which even though were power windows, might still roll down in the early stages of the car being in the water.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sister Mary-Mengele: [an orphan says "We're not just orphans" as the orphans play a game of kick the can; Sister Mary-Mengele blows her whistle] Everybody inside! Come on, time for your chores!
Murph: But Sister Mary-Mengele, the game's tied! Can't we just play another couple of minutes? Please?
Sister Mary-Mengele: No, you can't. Now get inside! And pick up that soccer can and put it back in the equipment shed where it belongs!
Peezer: Wait a second, Sis, you gotta hear us out!
Murph: [sings] We didn't ask for this
Peezer: [sings] We didn't pray for this
Hipster Orphan: [...]

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Crazy Credits

Right before the end credits, 2 actors posing as the Farrelly Brothers appear on screen to deliver a "Don't Try This At Home" announcement. Also, towards the end of the closing credits, there is a music video featuring The Three Stooges and 'Jennifer Hudson'.

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Alternate Versions

The UK theatrical version was cut for a PG rating, to remove the following imitable techniques:

• A vegetable peeler used on a man's head.
• A cheese grater used on a man's foot.
• Hair tongs used on a woman's tongue.
• A man's head being shoved into a microwave.
• A verbal reference to playing with matches.

The uncut version was rated 12 on video.

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Connections

References The Sound of Music (1965)

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Soundtracks

Si Señor Bob
Written and Performed by Papo Vasquez
Courtesy of Aperture Music

User Reviews

Nyuk nyuk nyuk

The Stooge legacy exists apart from time itself – I loved them when I was nine for the eye-pokes; I loved them in later life for the knowing humor (and the eye-pokes). I loved them even though they were from a long gone era. And most people I know hold the Stooges in the same high esteem I do. Among goofy guys like me, they are the high priests. They are sacred cows.

There is a great risk in taking on a sacred cow. If nothing else, I admire the courage of the Farrelly brothers, goofy guys themselves, who would know the risks all too well. Die-hard Stooge fans might even wish for the failure of the project, if nothing else but to affirm the irreplaceable nature of the Stooges.

All that said, I admit I approached the movie skeptically. In the end, I was won over. The movie's homage to the Stooges is in getting them right. All of the slapstick humor is there; all of the wisecracks are there. These Stooges capture the craziness and the randomness of the original Stooges without trying too hard to "interpret the role" or any such silliness. It's respectful of the original.

For me, once I was comfortable with these guys as the Stooges, the fun was in seeing the Stooges in the present day, where smacking someone over the head with a sledgehammer is even less acceptable than it was in the 1930's. They goof on all sorts of present day annoyances- Jersey Shore, the Kardashians, just like they goofed on high society and other annoyances of their own time.

The bottom line: I was laughing the whole time. If you're a Stooges fan, there's a lot to like – just give the movie a chance.