5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
While trying to save their childhood orphanage, Moe, Larry, and Curly inadvertently stumble into a murder plot and wind up starring in a reality TV show.
Starring: Sean Hayes, Will Sasso, Chris Diamantopoulos, Jane Lynch, Sofía VergaraComedy | 100% |
Family | 61% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy (on disc)
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
So...this happened. And, of course, it really didn't need to. I get that the Farrelly brothers—the filmmaking knuckleheads behind Dumb and Dumber and Something About Mary—wanted to honor their longtime showbiz idols, but a reboot of The Three Stooges? In 2012? I don't think the masses were exactly clamoring for that. Neither were devoted fans of the original Moe, Larry, and Curly—and Shemp and Joe Besser— not anxious to see the Stooges' memory sullied by an unnecessary and possibly awful homage. Though it's no high praise, I'll give the Farrellys this: their nyuk-nyuk new Stooge comedy isn't as awful as it could've been, and there are at least two or three decent laughs to be had. That said, the movie is completely unnecessary—there's no disputing that—and the Farrellys' attempt to update the Stooge formula is not without its cringe- worthy concessions to the worst aspects of modern pop culture. And by worst aspects of modern pop culture, yes, I'm referring to the preternaturally orange and idiotic cast members of The Jersey Shore, who share an extended cameo here that's basically a pandering, bald- faced ploy to get young people—who, let's face it, might not even know who The Three Stooges are—to see the film. Larry, Moe, and Snooki? No thank you.
You know what I would've loved to have seen? If the Farrellys had borrowed the vibe of The Artist and made The Three Stooges period- faithful in punchy black and white. Alas, the film is shot like many modern comedies, with flat, too-bright cinematography and a surplus of kindergarten- style primary colors. Rant over. Anyway, for what it is, 20th Century Fox's 1080p/AVC-encoded 35mm transfer is quite nice, almost certainly faithful to source and intent. The film's grain structure is non-obtrusive and entirely intact—no digital noise reduction here—and I didn't spot any overt edge enhancement, filtering, or compression issues. On the whole, the image is a little soft, especially in longer shots, but close-up reveal plenty of high definition detail in the actors' faces and clothing. Color, as previously mentioned, is poppy and loud, occasionally crossing the line into what some may consider oversaturated. (See: the golf course greens.) Skin tones are stable though, and never ruddy, and contrast is consistent, with deep-enough blacks and highlights that never peak. I wouldn't nominate The Three Stooges for Blu-ray presentation of the year, but Fox's transfer certainly gets the job done well.
Ditto for the film's lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, a mix that's functional and sometimes—during a few of the more frantic woop- woop-woop sequences—even modestly engaging. The rear channels probably don't get as much play as they could've, but you will hear some quiet ambience at the orphanage and zoo, cars moving between speakers, and occasional directional effects. The most notable element of the mix is the fact that the Farrellys' sound designers have opted to clean up and use the iconic sound effects from the original Columbia-era Three Stooges shorts —all of the thuds and bonks and knocks and honks you hear during the frequent slapping/poking/thwacking matches. It definitely helps sell a lot of the slapstick action. Of course, the classic Stooges theme song shows up, and there's also a complementary score by John Debney, along with a few out-of-place pop/rock songs. The music is never particularly aggressive, but it has all the heft and clarity that it needs to have. Dialogue throughout is always clean and easy to understand, and for those that need or want them, the disc includes optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles, plus Spanish and French dubs in Dolby Digital 5.1.
The Farrelly brothers' reboot is certainly not for diehard Three Stooges fans—who might've possibly been appeased only with a well-done biopic— but I suppose families looking for some goofy slapstick entertainment might find it reasonably passable. Personally, I only laughed twice—real, LOL-style laughs—and found most of the film to be tedious and pointless, especially when considering that real Stooges action is readily available on DVD. (Hint, distributors: There's definitely a market for the original shorts on Blu-ray.) The film looks good in high definition and comes with a decent selection of special features, but I can't recommend anything beyond a rental. I suspect this is a movie few will want to watch more than once.
2012
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