Directed by: Peter Farrelly & Bobby Farrelly
Starring: Sean Hayes, Will Sasso, Chris Diamantopoulos
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Release Date: 2012
Rated: PG
Running Time: 92 minutes
I grew up watching Moe, Larry, Curly, and Shemp, so I was more than a little skeptical when I heard about the Farrelly brothers remake (if you can call it a remake). I only saw the movie advertise on television once when it was at theaters and it did not look too good. Then I read a few bad reviews about the movie, making me less likely to go see it. The movie did not do very well at the theaters, barely covering its budget worldwide. I saw the DVD for under fifteen dollars and I talked myself into buying it.
The movie opens up with the same Stooges' tune and similar opening credits. The first episode is titled "More Orphan Than Not," which explains the Stooges back-story, where as babies they are left in basket outside of an orphanage. As they grow up and cause chaos for the nuns (played by Jane Lynch, Larry David, and a few others), Moe is almost adopted by a wealthy couple, but they end up adopting another orphan, Teddy, instead. Twenty-five years later, Moe (played by Chris Diamantopoulos), Larry (played by Sean Hayes), and Curly (played by Will Sasso) have never left the orphanage as they are now handymen, but the home that they have known is going to be closed down as the orphanage owes $830,000 in thirty days.
There are two more episodes in the movie, "The Bananas Splits" and "No Moe Mister Nice Guy," in which the trio go to the big city to raise the money. Since they have been sheltered, they have no clue what to do, but luck happens to be on their side as a mysterious woman offers them the money, but they have to kill her dying husband. After being chased out of the hospital, they briefly run into Teddy. The Stooges are still broke but come up with a Salmon Farm idea, which turns into a disaster.
With time running out, Larry and Curly leave Moe, hoping to raise the money on their own. Then Moe accidentally gets a role on a reality series, The Jersey Shore. While looking for Teddy, so they can ask him for money, Larry and Curly stumble onto a murder plot.
I am surprised that the movie was rated PG considering that the Farrelly brothers directed it, and I am glad that did not try to raunch up the Stooges, but instead they used the old slapstick humor that the Stooges are famous for using. No one can every replace the original Stooges, but I was shocked at how well the actors stepped into the Stooges feet mimicking their voices and actions, especially Will Sasso who played Curly. The plot is simple and at times, the script feels silly, but was not that the point of the old Stooges' shorts, silliness. Even though I do prefer the originals, I did find myself laughing at the new Stooges. It is not a great film, but its fun to watch.
The Three Stooges was one of those shows that was cheap for the local station to play, so as a kid, I watched it A LOT. Although it wasn’t necessarily my favorite show, it grew on me. Seeing this movie was definitely nostalgic for me, and the “F” Brothers paid great homage to the original. I probably wouldn’t have seen it either if I had not put it on my queue for my Blockbuster @Home account. I didn’t watch it until a weekend later, but the kids really enjoyed it. I like that I can return my movie anytime I like and there aren’t any additional fees. Plus I don’t have to drive to a store or rental box since they come in the mail, saving time and gas.
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