The Three Stooges Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three lovable knuckleheads slapstick their way through a murder plot, reality TV, and saving an orphanage, all while somehow making Kate Upton a lifeguard.

🍿 The Three Stooges: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Orphanage Origins and Financial Crisis

The film begins with Moe, Larry, and Curly as babies left at the Sisters of Mercy Orphanage. Over the years, their antics create chaos for the nuns. Fast forward 25 years, and the orphanage is facing a financial crisis, needing $830,000 in 30 days to avoid closure. The Stooges, now adults and still living at the orphanage, vow to raise the money.

Murder Plot and Hospital Hijinks

Desperate for funds, the Stooges are approached by Lydia and Mac, who want them to murder Lydia’s husband. In their typical bungling fashion, they fail miserably. They then attempt to finish the job at the hospital where Mac is recovering, leading to slapstick chaos involving mistaken identities and nursery mishaps. These scenes escalate the physical comedy and introduce the darker, albeit cartoonish, elements of the plot.

Jersey Shore and Anniversary Party Mayhem

Moe finds unexpected fame on the reality show “Jersey Shore,” while Larry and Curly continue their money-raising schemes. They eventually uncover that Lydia’s husband is Teddy, an orphan they knew from childhood. The Stooges crash Teddy’s anniversary party to warn him, resulting in a chaotic confrontation and the revelation of a larger conspiracy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Moe (Chris Diamantopoulos): The short-tempered and often violent leader of the Three Stooges, known for his bowl cut and bossy attitude.
• Larry (Sean Hayes): The middleman of the Stooges, characterized by his wild hair and attempts to mediate between Moe and Curly.
• Curly (Will Sasso): The childlike and often dim-witted member of the Stooges, famous for his bald head and enthusiastic ‘woo woo woo’ outbursts.
• Mother Superior (Jane Lynch): The head of the orphanage where the Stooges grew up, she is often exasperated by their antics but ultimately cares for them.
• Lydia (Sofía Vergara): A manipulative woman who hires the Stooges to murder her husband in a plot to inherit his fortune.
• Mr. Harter (Stephen Collins): Lydia’s co-conspirator revealed to be the mastermind of the scheme to kill Teddy for his inheritance.
• Sister Mary-Mengele (Larry David): A cranky nun at the orphanage who is frequently the victim of the Stooges’ mishaps.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Moe: ““Spread out!”” – Moe barks this order frequently as the leader, directing the Stooges into chaotic action.
• Curly: ““Woo woo woo!”” – Curly’s signature exclamation of excitement, pain, or confusion after some mishap.
• Curly: ““Soitenly!”” – Curly’s comical mispronunciation of ‘certainly’, used to agree to something, often with dim-witted enthusiasm.
• Moe: ““Why, I oughta…”” – Moe’s classic threat before delivering some form of slapstick violence to Larry or Curly.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $44,338,224
• Worldwide Gross: $54,819,301

💥 The Three Stooges Reviews

Personal Review

I grew up watching the Stooges with my grandpa, so I was excited but also nervous about this movie. The new cast did a decent job capturing the mannerisms, but the plot felt a bit forced and the jokes sometimes fell flat. I did laugh a few times, especially during the ‘Jersey Shore’ bit (guilty pleasure!), but overall, it just didn’t have the same magic as the original shorts. It was fun for a nostalgic trip, but I’ll probably stick to the classics.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the original Three Stooges”
  • “Those who enjoy slapstick comedy”
  • “Viewers looking for lighthearted, family-friendly entertainment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Slapstick violence”
  • “Cartoonish injuries”
  • “Mild crude humor”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “The Three Stooges tries to recapture the spirit of the original shorts, but the humor feels dated and the slapstick lacks the charm of the classic trio. The modern setting clashes with the vintage comedy, leaving a disjointed and often unfunny experience.
• New York Times: “While the actors capture the physicality of the Stooges, the film struggles to find a balance between homage and originality. The plot feels like a stretched-out short, and the celebrity cameos often distract from the core comedy.
• Variety: “The Three Stooges certainly provides moments of nostalgia for long-time fans, but the overall execution feels uneven. The slapstick is there, but the wit and charm that defined the original shorts are often missing, resulting in a forgettable reboot.

Audience Reactions

The actors’ impersonations of Moe, Larry, and Curly were spot-on, capturing their iconic mannerisms and voices.: Faithful recreations of the classic slapstick routines and sound effects were well-received.

The ‘Jersey Shore’ cameo was a hilarious and unexpected twist that provided some genuinely funny moments.: Fans of the original series appreciated the film’s commitment to honoring the Stooges’ legacy.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag that offers nostalgic moments for fans but struggles to recapture the charm of the original Three Stooges shorts.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Numerous actors were considered for the roles of Moe, Larry, and Curly over the years, including Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, and Jim Carrey.”
• “The film is divided into three segments, mirroring the structure of the original Three Stooges short films.”
• “The Farrelly Brothers, known for their slapstick and gross-out humor, aimed to capture the spirit of the original Stooges while updating it for a modern audience.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Three Stooges?

The Three Stooges (2012) is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or cable providers. Physical copies, such as Blu-ray and DVD, can be purchased from online retailers like Amazon and major brick-and-mortar stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Three Stooges, you might like these similar films:

• Dumb and Dumber (1994): Features similar slapstick humor and idiotic characters on a ridiculous adventure.
• The Little Rascals (1994): Focuses on a group of mischievous kids and their comedic misadventures, similar to the Stooges’ early years depicted in the film.
• Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948): Classic slapstick comedy duo encountering absurd situations, similar to the Stooges’ comedic style.
• Jackass: The Movie (2002): Modern take on physical comedy with outrageous stunts and pranks, appealing to fans of the Stooges’ slapstick.
• Popeye (1980): A live-action adaptation of a classic cartoon character with exaggerated physical comedy, comparable to the Three Stooges’ style.

🛒 The Three Stooges Related Products

• The Three Stooges: The Ultimate Collection: Enjoy hours of classic Three Stooges shorts in this digital collection, perfect for reliving the timeless comedy.
• The Three Stooges Official T-Shirt: Show your love for the knuckleheads with this comfortable and stylish t-shirt featuring Moe, Larry, and Curly.
• The Three Stooges Slapstick Board Game: Engage in hilarious slapstick challenges with this board game inspired by the Stooges’ zany antics.
• The Three Stooges Talking Figures Set: Bring Moe, Larry, and Curly to life with these talking figures, each spouting classic Stooge phrases and sounds.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Three Stooges features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Stooge Emblem (Main Title)” – performed by Louis Silvers
• “Those Endearing Young Charms” – performed by Traditional

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Tragic Death Of Curly From The Three Stooges

Ever wonder what happened to Curly from the Three Stooges? This video dives into the sad reality behind the laughter, and honestly, it’s way more heartbreaking than I expected.

Larry Fine | The Middle Stooge | A Docu-Mini

Want to really *get* Larry from the Three Stooges? This mini-documentary is awesome! It explains why he’s the ‘middle stooge’ and his role in the group. I never knew he was such a genius!

Curly Joe Derita Bad-Mouthed the Stooges Until He Died

Did you know one of the Stooges *hated* being a Stooge? This video is a bit of a downer, but it’s super interesting to hear about Curly Joe’s side of the story and the drama behind the scenes. Worth a watch!

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