The Flintstones (1994)

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

There's one thing the lyrics get right: The Flintstones are the modern stone age family, "modern" underlined.Indeed, the iconic family from the town of Bedrock set all the standards of TV sitcoms decades before "The Simpsons". Fred Flintstone, originally a variation of Jackie Gleason in "The Honeymooners" became the staple of all TV everyday American fathers, big-sized, big-hearted but of average intelligence guys who drink beer, go bowling buddies and of course, make us laugh.Speaking of big and jovial, remember that bus scene in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" where Steve Martin who was playing a stuck-up and sinister businessman was asked to pick a song. His choice was rather uninspired as "Three Coins in the Fountain" only garnered awkward silences... until John Candy caught up by singing the "Flintstones" theme and the whole bus sang in unison, and you could even hear the iconic "Wilma!" at the end. That's how popular the show was to a whole generation of adults and kids in 1987... and I could have picked another example such as "The Simpsons" hilarious parody in the "Monorail" episode, if it wasn't for Fred, there would be no Homers.Technically and visually, "The Flintstones" wasn't exactly a landmark of animation but it was a game-changer because as a cartoon with the appeal of a TV series and whose years of re-runs consolidated the legacy. People enjoyed the plots as well as the animation, maybe more. Personally, I've never been a fan of Hanna-Barbera 60s/70s cartoons but "The Flintstones" (and to a lesser degree, "The Jetsons") is one of the rare peaks of animation reached at a time where minimalist UPA and TV politics had killed off all the charm and visual quality inherited from the Golden Age. So in the early 90s, everyone had grown up with the TV program and would mostly associate prehistoric times with funny people dressed in cavemen's clothes, driving cars with their feet and having dinosaurs or animals as pets or household objects.The cartoon's secret was to have all these elements used as peripheral gags or props to establish the environment while the episodes, as I remember ,were consistent enough to sustain a half-an-hour format and mature enough to attract adult audiences. I was often surprised by the show's length but I guess that's the reason why it was the last one aired on Cartoon Network before the torch was passed to TNT. That mix of cartoony elements and adult-related themes made it a fitting transition. And this is why I believe the movie adaptation does justice to the cartoon because the central character is the everyday man caught up in situations adults can relate to, bonding with friends, being promoted, handling a sexy secretary and spiteful mother-in-law etc. Roger Ebert praised the visuals but criticized the plot, a Razzie-nominated screenplay with as many writers as extras in "Gandhi". Okay, it might not be the script of the year but I don't know what he exactly expected as a more kid-oriented family film. Surely dealing with aptitude tests, mechanization, adultery and adoption isn't exactly the themes children expect in an animated movie, but first of all, most fans were all grown-ups and secondly, the film contains so much slapstick and visual delights that I can't imagine kids yawning in the theater. The balance doesn't always work and there are many overly dark and sexy moment t but Ebert's criticism echoed a similar complaint he had about "The Lion King" which was too dramatic for children and dealt with Shakespearian themes such as succession, tribalism and honor that might get over the heads of the little ones. But now, it's regarded as a classic, and given how many cartoons patronize children with their marketing-oriented themes, "The Flintstones" has aged unexpectedly well. Sure, we're all blasé about live-action remakes but it wasn't yet a trend in the 90s and CGI effects were still getting warm with "The Mask" or "Jurassic Park". For all its computer imagery, the film strikes for its great practical effects, a rock can look phony but never fake. And there's John Goodman's performance carrying the film like a huge boulder and he's so good I can't believe he was snubbed by the Golden Globes. If Jim Carrey is nominated for "The Mask", there's no reason to overlook Goodman who doesn't impersonate a cartoon character but appropriate him so well that we can't separate between the two. He's over the top enough to remind us of Fred but human enough to fit a live-action format. Rick Moranis is perfect as Barney Rubble, his long-suffering friend, and Elizabeth Perkins does a goof job as Wilma. Kyle McLachlan and Halle Berry plays the villainous scheming duo and you can tell how much fun they had playing their roles, as Berry points it out, she was bad, but she was so good at it.The real problem was the casting of Rosie O'Donnell and I feel almost guilty because apart from her look, her performance didn't ruin the film. The problem is that Betty Rubble's beauty is as much a defining trait as Fred's orange suit, Rosie O'Donnell isn't ugly but isn't exactly the first beauty to come to your mind. It was distracting and became one of the most notorious cases of miscasting. Another misfire was the unnecessary kidnapping of the children, till now, the scream of Little Pebbles in that wagon seems out of place. Apart from that, the film was good enough to garner more awards, it was overdue a special effects Oscar nomination or set-designs. As for the critics who thought kids wouldn't actually understand or enjoy the plot, I guess the plot of the film itself teaches a good lesson to those who're too eager to underestimate one's lack of intelligence. The film is certainly not flawless, but it's entertaining, fun and aged better than expected. And who can resist to the sight of Liz Taylor forming a Konga line with a caveman and a pet-dinosaur?

The Flintstones (1994) ** (out of 4)John Goodman as Fred Flintstone, Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma Flintstone, Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble and Rosie O'Donnell as Betty Rubble. In this live adaptation of the animated television show, Fred finally gets the job that he's always dreamed of but it's going to come at a cost he might not be willing to pay.If you're old enough then you probably remember having to live through the dark years of theatrical movies. You remember back in the early 90s when various television shows were being put on the big screen. One of the most anticipated ones was THE FLINTSTONES, which came out of nowhere, became a hit and even got a sequel but I don't think there's much to defend here as the film is quite bland.There are a lot of problems with this film but I will say that they got one thing right and that was the casting of Goodman as Fred Flintstone. This here was the perfect choice for the role and Goodman does a terrific job with it. The only problem is that he isn't given anything to work with as the screenplay is quite bland and poor without too many original ideas or laughs.The biggest problem is that the screenplay doesn't have much to do. Fred is given this new job, it causes problems at home, he fights with Barney and then we get to the conclusion. The film certainly looks qutie good as the prehistoric scenery is quite believable but it's all eye candy with nothing to support it. Halle Berry as well as a certain cameo are also good but more of this was needed.

This is a well made product. The sets , costumes and props are good. The plot is nothing special but it's not bad. It's is not surprising that Steven Spielberg was involved the making of this film since the man is known for quality.The Actingis good the four stand outs being John Goodman as Fred who fits perfectly ,Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma who IS the character from the carton , Harvey Korman as the bird who has some really fun lines and Elizabeth Taylor of all people as Wilma's mother She is one of the highlights of movie. she is hilarious in every scene. This was sadly her last theatrically released film. on a side note the role of Fred's mother in law was originated by legendary voice actress Verna Felton she played the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella and had many roles in other Disney films until her death in 1966 her last film was The Jungle Book. The other actors are good but nothing remarkable.This is a good family film that everyone should show their children.

The Flintstones (1994): Dir: Brian Levant / Cast: John Goodman, Elizabeth Perkins, Rick Moranis, Rosie O'Donnell, Elizabeth Taylor: Here is a huge opportunity to create movie magic and instead a celebrated cartoon is turned into a pathetic showcase. It is claimed that over thirty writers were assigned to the screenplay but I have read instruction booklets that regarded how to put batteries in appliances that were more artistic than this film. Fred Flintstone assists his friend Barney Rubble in adopting Bam Bam and he repays him by switching aptitude tests that will determine who will be Vice-President at Slate Enterprises. This leads to a conspiracy that costs workers their jobs and has Fred on the run. Horrible translation by director Brian Levant whose best asset is the prehistoric production. The screenplay throws in aptitude tests, embezzlement, office politics, fraud, and adoptions that will not interest the intended audience. With that said the characters are given little of a plot. John Goodman and Elizabeth Perkins give it a welcome attempt as Fred and Wilma, but Rick Moranis fails to project Barney's mannerisms, and Rosie O'Donnell hardly looks like Betty although she did deliver on the famous giggle. Elizabeth Taylor as Fred's mother-in-law is another horrible miscast. Thirty writers could not prevent this from becoming an embarrassing prehistoric failure. Score: 3 / 10