Introduction: I know that some of you reading this might be thinking that I'm going to totally rip this movie a new one and talk about how awful it is to see movies like this still being made. I know that some of you watched the trailer and when you did your hearts filled with hate and anger and grabbed your pitchforks in retaliation to this movie. So what I'm about to say might actually scare you; The Three Stooges isn't that bad...
Genuine Laughs: It bothers me sometimes when people think a joke is bad nowadays if it's just low brow instead of high brow. While high brow is smarter and harder to do and thus is more appreciated and respected both low and high follow the same principle for a good joke; a set-up and a pay off. This movie actually has some genuine moments of laughter. Once when they try to repair a church bell, when they are mistaken for doctors, and when the "leader" beats the crap out of the cast from Jersey Shore (Thank you, God). These scenes actually made me laugh. See the movie is brash about it's comedy. This world is the kind of world where someone can fall off a 20 story building and be fine or get hit by a speeding bus and end up fine. It's very cartoony, but in a way that pays homage to the film's roots. And then one of my favorite running gags in the movie is the fact that the bald Stooge seems to be able to pull out any needed object out of his jacket. Even dynamite...Genius.
Expectations: One thing that is highly important when making a movie is the advertising. Advertising should create expectations for a movie. This often leads to three different outcomes: a movie exceeds the expectations laid down by the ads thus surprising you and leaving you with a sense of money well spent (see Real Steal and Cabin in the Woods), a movie fails to reach it's own expectations and it disappoints you and makes you feel like you got ripped off (see Sucker Punch), and a movie that perfectly fits the expectations set forth by it's ads but sadly neither disappoints you or surprises you. The Three Stooges is a perfect example of the last one.
Reboots, Remakes, and Sequels: I think everyone realizes that Hollywood is do remakes, reboots, and sequels of just about everything out there. Hell, they are releasing a Battleship movie soon. A f*cking board game! So it's easy to write this movie off as just another cash grab set forth by Hollywood. And it's normal for people to assume that seeing how awful the trailer looks. But this movie was actually a pet project by the Farrelly brothers. See they really love the Stooges and wanted to make a modern movie about them. And when you see the movie you can see the passion too. Each act is divided into "episodes" that are reminiscent of the Stooges episodes and they kept that unapologetic violence. If you remember those 90s movies that brought back old TV shows to the silver screen like Addams Family and the Brady Bunch then you got a pretty good idea of what this movie is. It's not in it for the money, it's just for the fun of it and I can respect that.
Conclusion: If you've been paying attention during this review then I hope you learned that the Three Stooges isn't a good movie. It's an okay movie. When I saw the trailer I expected it to be a modern rendition of the Stooges and that's exactly what I got. I was kinda surprised that I found it funny but the laughs were few and far between and the story is lacking with an utter nonsensical climax that makes me want to pull my hair out. But the movie was what it needed to be and low brow definitely has it's audience so I think people who enjoy some good ole physical comedy should go see this movie...
OMG THE AVENGERS CAME OUT TODAY!!! :O
