THE THREE STOOGES (2012)

Directed By: Peter Farrelly & Bobby Farrelly
Written By: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly & Mike Cerrone
Cinematography By: Matthew F. Leonetti
Editor: Sam Seig

Cast: Sean Hayes, Will Sasso, Chris Diamantopoulos, Jane Lynch, Sofia Vegara, Craig Bierko, Jennifer Hudson, Stephen Collins, Larry David, Kate Upton, Brian Doyle-Murray, Lin Shaye, Antonio Sabato Jr.

Left on the doorstep of an orphanage run by nuns, newborns Moe, Larry and Curly grow up finger-poking, nyuk-nyuk-nyuking and woo-woo-wooing their way to uncharted levels of knuckleheaded misadventure. Now their childhood home may have to close due to financial difficulties. But Larry, Curly and Moe, employed as the foster home's inept maintenance men, are determined to come to the rescue. Only The Three Stooges could become embroiled in an oddball murder plot - while stumbling into starring roles in a phenomenally successful TV reality show

Wisely this film and it’s stories are separated into individual episodes that serve a grand story. In other words following a grand plot overall. Though not as skilled as the original legends, You will find the film quite entertaining for what it is.

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 instead.

The film is obviously geared more towards a child audience. Adults will find it entertaining and nostalgic to the original series of shorts. Probably seen as children and still enjoyable today.

If you are going to watch this film. You know exactly what you are going to get. IT doesn’t surpass expectations nor does it lessen them.

Strangely originally this was supposed to star Jim Carrey as Curly, but didn't want to wear a fat suit, and decided he was too old to gain the necessary weight without risking his health. Either Russell Crowe and at various times Sean Penn as Larry and Benecio Del Toro as Moe. Justin Timberlake Auditioned to play Larry. Instead We Get Will Sasso as Curly, Sean Hayes As Larry and Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe. Not as Glorious as the original casting but not that bad.

Though an interesting experiment. I think if they went the all star route. Not only would it have been distracting but opening the film and the actors up to criticism of how either not good enough to resemble the original or how low they had come for paychecks. Not only that, it would take you out of the film thinking watch these acclaimed actors do this instead of fully inhabiting the characters. So going with unknown to lesser known comedic actors work. It keeps the audience involved and focused.

Showing the adventures of the characters in modern times and situations is the smart way to go and the only way in which the movie would work. The problems lie in trying to come up with hijinks for them to get into. As audiences sense of humor have matured or have come to expect more, but considering it is based on more comedy classic material the audience should know what they were in for.

In the film, Moe is in charge of the seed money. In reality Moe Howard would keep track of all of the Stooges' finances, making sure they didn't waste it all away.

Just in case they throw in a bunch of celebrity cameos to distract you. Larry David is in it and becomes a good character who is constantly abused and a adversary. Sofia Vegara turns on the sex appeal as always while being a bit censored , Since the film is focused on a family audience.

At least there is effort on screen to stay true to the spirit and skill of the original series of shorts. Which is lacking in most remakes and re-imaginings. It stays respectful throughout.

In this film, Craig Bierko has a large mustache and works with a woman named Lydia. This is a direct reference to Groucho Marx of The Marx Brothers, a comedy trio that made films around the same time as the real three stooges. Marx wore a greasepaint mustache in most of his films and performed the song "Lydia the Tattooed Lady" in the film At the Circus.

Is it worth watching not exactly but it will hold your attention.

GRADE: C-