Three Stooges, The MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +4 Content: +2

Starring Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), who portrays the balding, sour-faced, bushy-haired Larry; Will Sasso (MADtv) as the rotund funnyman Curly, who usually invites a physical outburst from older brother Moe; and Chris Diamantopoulos (24, The Kennedys) as Moe, the dark-haired leader of the farcical trio known for his distinctive bowl-style haircut and intolerant ire. Also starring: Jane Lynch, Sofia Vergara, Jennifer Hudson, Stephen Collins, and Larry David as Sister Mary-Mengele (you gotta love that name). Written by Mike Cerrone & Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly. Directed by Peter Farrelly & Bobby Farrelly.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Left on the doorstep of an orphanage run by nuns, newborns Moe, Larry and Curly grow up finger-poking and woo-woo-wooing their way to uncharted levels of knuckleheaded misadventure. Now, out to save their childhood home, only the Three Stooges could become embroiled in an oddball murder plot…while stumbling into starring roles in a phenomenally successful TV reality show.

PREVIEW REVIEW: It’s no longer just a guy thing; the female audience members were laughing last night, as well. I’m not sure how to review the film other than to say that the pacing is good, the concept interesting and the humor the same as the original Stooges – lots of silly slapstick that somehow touches the funnybone. And what a pleasure to see a comedy where laughs are generated from wit and silliness rather than anatomical and scatological humor.

Along with using the same sound effects and catch words that are locked in our subconscious from our misspent youth watching episodes of the Stooges, the brothers Farrelly also inject a touch of pathos, which adds dimension to the characters and the film’s premise. As with the original slapstick simpletons, there is an obvious love between the trio. Hayes, Sasso and Diamantopoulos are terrific, each able to catch the magic that made Larry, Moe and Curly Joe funny and likable.

At the end of the film, the directors talk to the kids in the audience, showing them that the hammers and other instruments used to bonk people on the head are in reality made of rubber, stressing never to hit someone on the head. And even this segment is done with humor and charm.

I have to admit, I had a good time and, though I was sure I’d hate myself in the morning, I laughed out loud – often. Strangely enough, I don’t hate myself this morning. “Nyuk-nyuk-nyuk.”

DVD Additions: The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. One and Vol. Two.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: MGM