In 1960, an animated tv show called The Flintstones, became the first ever cartoon to air on prime time network on ABC as opposed to live action tv shows. The series was produced by animation duo, William Hanna & Joesph Barbera, who also created notable cartoons including Tom & Jerry, The Jetsons, Yogi Bear, and the lovable hungry canine, Scooby-Doo.
The premise of the show is set in The Stone Age, the series is about two best friends Fred Flintstone & Barney Rubble’s misadventures similar to the tradiontal sitcom storylines inspired by The Honeymooners. The technology in the time period uses certain dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures as appliances/utilities.
During The Flintsones six year run, from 1960 to 1966, it achieved a lot of success from television viewers, managed to be on “The Top 30 Nielsen Ratings,” from 1960 to 1964. Many years later, the franchise was rewarded a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
After the show ended in 1966. An animated film called The Man Called Flintstone was released that same year and to this day, it is the only animated film released in theaters, not released as a TV movie or direct to video or DVD.
Many shows attempted revive the series such as The Pebbles & Bam-Bam Show which focuses on Fred & Barney’s kids, and another one similar to The Muppet Babies, an animated prequel shows the leads characters as children.
A live action film adaptation based on the cartoon was released in 1994. It became a commercial success, however it got tarnished by critics. A prequel called The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas came out six years later, like the other film, it got negative reviews and unlike the first, it was a box office bomb.
I thought about reviewing this because Will Ferrell & Adam McKay are gonna produce an animated adaptation of the cartoon. Let’s hope it’s a proper one.
This review contains SPOILERS. Read at your own risk.
Yabba Dabba Do: The opening/ending sequence is a shot for shot recreation of the opening/ending sequence from the cartoon.
Performances by John Goodman, Rick Moranis, & Elizabeth Perkins were spot on portrayals on playing Fred, Barney, and Wilma.
The set pieces and locations were created by hand resembling a theme park attraction.
A newspaper of Fred Flintstone’s face is taken from the cartoon, not John Goodman’s likeness.
Harvey Korman (the voice of Great Gazoo) voices a prehistoric parrot.
Dino Feces: Miscasting Rosie O’ Donnell as Betty Rubble, she looks nothing like her animated counterpart on the show. She won a Razzie Award for her performance.
The subplots are completely forgettable.
Too many rock based puns from start to finish. The writers didn’t try to come up with jokes that don’t involve anything rock related.
Poorly made C.G.I. featuring the family pet, Dino. C.G.I. was at the early stages since Jurassic Park came out in 1993, the year when I was born.
Halle Berry’s character is named Sharon Stone. Ten years later she would later star in that god awful Catwoman movie with the real Sharon Stone. Sorry Ms. Berry but I’m gonna have to double down a couple of points because of what you did ten years later for starring in this massive pile of kitty litter.
Elizabeth Taylor’s involvement in the film is kinda out of place. She’s just roaming around the set in order to earn a quick buck. It’s also her final performance on screen, which is pretty sad.
There’s no actual plot or conflict. It was very boring until the last 30 minutes. No excitement throughout the picture.
There’s a scene with Fred checking out Halle Berry while Wilma is standing right in front of him, Fred managed to change the subject to make Wilma forget. You know that tactic won’t work in real life.
Product Placement brands including Chevron, McDonalds, Toys R Us but with rock based puns next to them.
The Final Verdict: D-
This film is nothing but complete dino dung. Do not waste your time watching this. The original cartoon is much better. Buy the complete series if you want to introduce your kids to the beloved TV show. It’s worth a buy with over 100 plus episodes.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 