C.C. : The Flintstones

The Flintstones movie review
On
December 03, 2009
The Flintstones (1994)

Directed by: Brian Levant

Starring: John Goodman, Rick Moranis, Elizabeth Perkins, Rosie O'Donnell, Kyle MacLachlan, Halle Berry, Elizabeth Taylor

and the voices of Harvey Korman and Mel Blanc




We all know that movies based on television sitcoms meet the same fate like movies based on video games. Films like Mr. Magoo, Inspector Gadget, or The Honeymooners certainly aren't the worst, but the filmmakers who made them could've at least made them entertaining for the fans of the old shows as well as your kids.


But what makes these films failures in terms of trying to live up to the show's name? Simple: they all seem to have gross-out gags, forgettable new characters, and a complicated plot that you or your kids won't give two shits about.

That's pretty much what you get in The Flintstones, with the exception of the gross-out gags.


"Aw, c'mon! It's the prehistoric times, Wilma! Aren't we allowed to poop anywhere we want?

Out of all the films based on TV shows, this is probably the best of the bunch. Not saying that it's a really good movie, it has it's share of problems. But you can see that a lot of work and ambition went into the film and I give them credit for trying. Plus, it really helps that you grew up with The Flintstones cartoon as a kid.



"I have a dream, Barney. Someday, I hope to get my own television sitcom..."


WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

Do you really care? The film takes place in stone-age/modern world of Bedrock (duh). Fred Flintstone (Goodman) and Barney Rubble (Moranis) work at a rock quarry (Slate and Co.), mining rock. One day, a test is given to determine who will become vice-president.

After Fred gives him some money to adopt a baby, Barney decides to return the favour by switching his test answers for Fred's, whose answers aren't very good. Fred gets the job, but, once he has power, he starts to become a douche. To make matters worse, Fred doesn't realize that he's being used by Cliff Vandercave(MacLachlan) to be the fall guy for an embezzlement scheme.


"I'm the biggest picture on this article! Truly I am something great..."



Wipe that smile off your face.

WHAT'S BAD ABOUT IT?

The story is kinda complex, considering that this film is targeted mainly for kids. Did the filmmakers even realize that kids won't care about office politics or embezzlement?

But again, The Flintstones cartoon dealt with problems sorta like this, as well, as the show was based off The Honeymooners, so I guess The Flintstones wasn't for kids at all.

Dude, I've been punk'd.
I also didn't care for Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble and Halle Berry as "Sharon Stone" (get it?). Moranis didn't really feel the part of Barney for me, as he reminded me more of Bob MacKenzie from SCTV for some reason, and Berry's character delivered what most films based on "children's cartoons" provide: unnecessary sexual innuendos.


Finally, it's been said that this film had a team of 32 writers. I do not joke you, 32 freakin' writers, one of them including Steven E. de Souza, the same guy who wrote Die Hard and directed Street Fighter.




I...have no comment.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT?

I love the look of the film. It was clunky, yet colourful. It also gave me a feeling of nostalgia as it reminded me of a theme park my family and I went to years ago. I think it was Flintstones-related and I got my picture with Barney, right before I punched him in the gut.

Yeah, I had issues.


There are many clever gags relating to the stone age, including a playground called "Jurassic Park" (subtle) and a movie playing at theater called "Tar Wars".

OBVIOUSLY made by George Mucus.


Hey, I'd love to help ya out, Fred, but I have an article to finish.

Aside from Moranis, the cast was game. The best casting I've seen in the movie would have to be John Goodman, who did Fred Flintstone. When I saw him acting as Fred, I really saw Fred Flintstone, not just a guy in a halloween costume. He really felt the part, and especially sounded the part.


OH MY GOD! HE'S GONNA THROW THE BOWLING BALL INTO THE COMPUTER SCREEN! RUN!!!

Last, but not least, the film didn't do what most TV-based films intended for children do: resort to fart jokes, poop jokes, vomit jokes, or jokes where someone is covered with some untraceable goo. True, it did have that last part near the end of the film, but at least it was cement.



"Y'know, Barney, this barbacue sauce is fine, but needs more pterodactyl blood.


Bonnie and Clyde, they ain't.


Once photography has been invented, this will someday be a Kodak moment.

BOTTOM LINE:

This wasn't a really good film, to be honest. The film doesn't really know who it's targeted for with it's plot about embezzlement, and Berry and Moranis weren't very necessary. However, the look of the film is awesome, some cute in-jokes, and John Goodman's performance help this mild-stinker stay afloat. Inclosing, I give it credit for trying.

OVERALL SCORE:

3/5



Yabba Dabba Doo, everyone!
20
More Articles From Nails105
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload Dismiss