For all that the troupe shared in common with other comedians, and for as funny as they were at their best, the Three Stooges' oeuvre is a mixed bag. Their slapstick and the accompanying sound effects can wear thin quickly, and so can whatever shtick is the driving force of any one production; one wonders at points whether they wouldn't have been better off sticking to one- or two-reel shorts where the gags didn't have time to grow tiresome. Add in questions of the Stooges' own performances, and the direction in any given piece, and I think one should temper their expectations. Thankfully, I'm of the mind that 'The Three Stooges in orbit' is actually, definitively, one of their strongest full-length features. It's not purely riotous, and it certainly embraces no small amount of cartoonish silliness, but it's also marked with decidedly more cheeky cleverness so as to rise above a lot of its kin. Made with the simple intent to entertain, as far as I'm concerned this very readily succeeds, and even surpasses some comedies from other stars that I broadly hold in higher regard.
Producer Norman Maurer is to be commended for so shrewdly shaping a tale of sci-fi whimsy, and moreover to do so in a manner to make use of previous, unrelated footage that would have otherwise gone to waste. That fantastical element also allows for reuse of materials from straight genre fare, and above all for Maurer, screenwriter Elwood Ullman, and director Edward Bernds to let their imaginations run loose. Thus is the core story rooted in interplanetary intrigue and extraterrestrial shenanigans that would fit right in with flicks of the 50s as the Space Age took off, and the comedy is built around eccentric characters as the Three Stooges get wrapped up in it all. This is, gratifyingly, an instance in which the aging Stooges and their co-stars were able to carry themselves with distinct, marvelous vitality, and Bernds keeps the proceedings fresh with an energy that some other examples sorely lacked. Stir situational humor, witty dialogue, wild characters and animated performances, splendid gags, and that trademark slapstick into the pot, and I'm pleased with how very fun this picture turned out.
Between reused materials and the efforts of those involved here we're treated to excellent, creative sets, costume design, hair, makeup, and props. Those stunts and practical effects that are employed look great, and undeniably modest as the occasional post-production visuals are, they're right on par for contemporary works. I quite think the writing is smarter and sharper here than in too many other Stooge productions, being sly, lighthearted, charming, and irreverent in welcome balance; it seems to me that in this moment Maurer and Ullman (and Bernds) learned from the issues that troubled the likes of 'The Three Stooges meet Hercules,' 'Have rocket, will travel,' and 'Gold raiders.' Meanwhile, beyond Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Joe DeRita, I'm delighted by the playful cheer of other cast members like Emil Sitka, Carol Christensen, and Edson Stroll, and even those in smaller supporting parts, all of whom add their own vibrancy to the movie. Rounded out with keen cinematography and editing, and anchored with Bernds' solid direction, I'm so happy with how highly enjoyable 'The Three Stooges in orbit' is, and I only wish that I could say the same about its brethren.
I'm not saying it's a total must-see, and it won't appeal to all comers. At the same time, I also don't think I can identify any major flaws; surprisingly, in my opinion it doesn't suffer from the common Stooge problem of drawing on for too long, and its low-key brilliance never fades as the length advances. Why, some of the funniest bits come in the last twenty minutes or so, including what might be the most clever joke in the whole picture! I must imagine that most folks who come across this would have a great time. Despite a checkered history with other Stooges films I looked to this on a day when I needed something to lift my spirits, and not only does it handily achieve that goal, but on some level I dare say it even impresses. I just know that I had low assumptions and a low mood at the outset, and I walk away with a smile on my face that these Hollywood icons and even their peers haven't always been able to elicit. Don't necessarily go out of your way for it, but if you do have the opportunity to watch then 'The Three Stooges in orbit' is a wonderfully frivolous joy that earns my high, hearty recommendation!
Producer Norman Maurer is to be commended for so shrewdly shaping a tale of sci-fi whimsy, and moreover to do so in a manner to make use of previous, unrelated footage that would have otherwise gone to waste. That fantastical element also allows for reuse of materials from straight genre fare, and above all for Maurer, screenwriter Elwood Ullman, and director Edward Bernds to let their imaginations run loose. Thus is the core story rooted in interplanetary intrigue and extraterrestrial shenanigans that would fit right in with flicks of the 50s as the Space Age took off, and the comedy is built around eccentric characters as the Three Stooges get wrapped up in it all. This is, gratifyingly, an instance in which the aging Stooges and their co-stars were able to carry themselves with distinct, marvelous vitality, and Bernds keeps the proceedings fresh with an energy that some other examples sorely lacked. Stir situational humor, witty dialogue, wild characters and animated performances, splendid gags, and that trademark slapstick into the pot, and I'm pleased with how very fun this picture turned out.
Between reused materials and the efforts of those involved here we're treated to excellent, creative sets, costume design, hair, makeup, and props. Those stunts and practical effects that are employed look great, and undeniably modest as the occasional post-production visuals are, they're right on par for contemporary works. I quite think the writing is smarter and sharper here than in too many other Stooge productions, being sly, lighthearted, charming, and irreverent in welcome balance; it seems to me that in this moment Maurer and Ullman (and Bernds) learned from the issues that troubled the likes of 'The Three Stooges meet Hercules,' 'Have rocket, will travel,' and 'Gold raiders.' Meanwhile, beyond Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Joe DeRita, I'm delighted by the playful cheer of other cast members like Emil Sitka, Carol Christensen, and Edson Stroll, and even those in smaller supporting parts, all of whom add their own vibrancy to the movie. Rounded out with keen cinematography and editing, and anchored with Bernds' solid direction, I'm so happy with how highly enjoyable 'The Three Stooges in orbit' is, and I only wish that I could say the same about its brethren.
I'm not saying it's a total must-see, and it won't appeal to all comers. At the same time, I also don't think I can identify any major flaws; surprisingly, in my opinion it doesn't suffer from the common Stooge problem of drawing on for too long, and its low-key brilliance never fades as the length advances. Why, some of the funniest bits come in the last twenty minutes or so, including what might be the most clever joke in the whole picture! I must imagine that most folks who come across this would have a great time. Despite a checkered history with other Stooges films I looked to this on a day when I needed something to lift my spirits, and not only does it handily achieve that goal, but on some level I dare say it even impresses. I just know that I had low assumptions and a low mood at the outset, and I walk away with a smile on my face that these Hollywood icons and even their peers haven't always been able to elicit. Don't necessarily go out of your way for it, but if you do have the opportunity to watch then 'The Three Stooges in orbit' is a wonderfully frivolous joy that earns my high, hearty recommendation!