Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that The Three Stooges is the Farrelly brothers' tribute to the famous 1930s/40s comedy team. Though the Stooges are generally good-hearted and have the best intentions, they're exceedingly violent, mainly to one another. This constant slapstick has no physical effect and no consequences for the Stooges themselves, though secondary characters do receive injuries. Also, the movie's plot has the Stooges accepting a job to murder a man for money, though they naively believe that he's dying and that the money will go to save an orphanage. Expect a few suggestive sexual situations and comical innuendo, as well as insulting language like "stupid," "moron," and "shut up." The reality show Jersey Shore is featured prominently. The Three Stooges is much tamer than the Farrellys' usual fare, and a semi-comical disclaimer at the end addresses the movie's violence and urges kids not to try it, but this is still the most juvenile brand of broad comedy.

Sexual Content

Lydia is shown in a hotel room with a man who isn't her husband. Sex isn't discussed, but it's clear that they've been up to something (the hotel is called the Filander Inn). In another scene, Lydia hoists a man over a wall; he steps on her breast, and it makes a "honking" sound. She's dressed in sexy clothes throughout; a pretty "nun" also appears in a revealing bikini. There's a quick shot of a lion's testicles as they're being hit with a projectile. Also mild innuendo in one or two scenes.

Violence

Guns are pulled, but not by the Stooges themselves, and no characters die. The Stooges' violence mostly happens among themselves and includes fists, pulling, poking, jabbing, and bashing with hammers, mallets, chainsaws, and other implements -- none of which results in permanent damage (often, obvious dummies are used for the more dangerous stunts). The Stooges naively accept a job to kill a sick man, and they make (comical) attempts but don't succeed. Moe also inflicts beatings on the cast of Jersey Shore. A villainous character is the victim of many attacks and accidents, and he's shown hurt, with bandages, casts, and scratches. The Stooges have a "fight" with peeing babies in one scene.

Language

Characters tell each other to "shut up" and call each other "stupid" and "moron." One "oh my God."

Social Behavior

Violence (poking, hitting, etc.) is the Stooges' reaction in just about every situation, and there aren't any consequences for it -- they're never injured, and they never learn any lessons from their behavior. (A semi-comical disclaimer comes at the end of the movie, urging kids not to try these things at home.) The Stooges may be, as one character describes them, "pure of heart," but they sometimes do bad things without realizing their gravity. And their reward at the end of the movie is riches and fame, which may send the wrong message about their motivations.

Consumerism

The TV show Jersey Shore is shown and referenced at length after Moe becomes a cast member. There's a joke involving an Apple iPhone.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not an issue, though a salmon is shown with an unlit cigar in its mouth.