The Flintstones Collection

Fantasy

Comedy

Family

The Flintstones

Hanna-Barbera Cartoons

Amblin Entertainment

Universal Pictures

United States of America

English

John Goodman

Elizabeth Perkins

Rick Moranis

Rosie O'Donnell

Kyle MacLachlan

Halle Berry

Elizabeth Taylor

Dann Florek

Richard Moll

Irwin Keyes

Jonathan Winters

Harvey Korman

Lainey Silver

Melanie Silver

Hlynur Sigurðsson

Marinó Sigurðsson

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Jean Vander Pyl

Janice Kent

Jack O'Halloran

Becky Thyre

Rod McCary

Kate Pierson

Fred Schneider

Keith Strickland

Jim Doughan

Laraine Newman

Jay Leno

Alan Blumenfeld

Messiri Freeman

Alex Zimmerman

Sam Raimi

Tommy Terrell

Andy Steinfeld

Bradford Bryson

Tabbie Brown

Dean Cundey

Lita Stevens

Joseph Barbera

William Hanna

Mel Blanc

Sam the Orangutan

William Sandell

Christopher Burian-Mohr

Richard Olso

Nancy Patton

Rosemary Brandenburg

Marty Paich

Steven E. de Souza

Brian Levant

Tom S. Parker

Nancy Nayor

Bruce Cohen

Bill Getty

Kent Beyda

William James Teegarden

Jim Jennewein

Steven Spielberg

Rosanna Norton

Gerald R. Molen

Ted Nichols

Kathleen Kennedy

David Kirschner

Colin Wilson

Caroline Quinn

Larry Waggoner

Cynthia Barr

William Howard

Curt Schulkey

Alex Gaona

Gary Burritt

Chris L. Spellman

Cal DiValerio

Pat Romano

Raymond Stella

Ronald Batzdorff

Sid Lucero

Gary Hymes

Linle White

Michael Orefice

Kim Robert Koscki

Mary Burton

Christina Smith

Dave Wachtman

Brian Smrz

Bruce DiValerio

Donald Sylvester

Jay Johnson

Jim Passon

Ron Cardarelli

Jeff Jensen

Michael Lantieri

Norman Fessler

Mark Mangini

Adam Shankman

Rosine 'Ace' Hatem

David Newman

Geoff Blain

Paul Deason

Nancy Sandberg

Annette Haywood-Carter

Denny Caira

Michelle Fandetti

Eloy Lobato

Allen Tinkley

Dana J. Kuznetzkoff

William Plant

Elizabeth Campbell

Marty P. Ewing

Susan Pickett

Drew Struzan

Brian Wood

_**The animated show comes to life with John Goodman in the lead role**_

While critics love to bash this live-action cinematic version of "The Flintstones" and the rating here at IMDb is surprisingly low, the movie was a huge hit in 1994 and fittingly so because this is a great movie for what it is. Speaking of which, this explains why "The Flintstones" is such easy prey to incessant panning – it's a movie based on a cartoon. So freaking what? The question is, does it work for what it is and the answer is a resounding "yes"! Movies should be critiqued and graded according to what they are and aspire to achieve. For instance, "Godzilla" is a colossal-creature movie and should be reviewed on that level. Compared to the original "Apocalypse Now" it's dreck, but how does it stack-up to other gigantic-monster movies? It's the same thing with "The Flintstones." 

Roger Ebert criticized the film on the grounds that "the story is confusing, not very funny, and kind of odd, given the target audience of younger children and their families. Do kids really care much about office politics, embezzlement, marital problems, difficulties with adoption, aptitude exams and mothers-in-law?" For one thing, the film IS funny if you're familiar with The Flintstones and, more so, if you're a fan, which I am. I've seen the movie four times now and, without exception, laughed from beginning to end. Now the laughs may be more giggling at silly humor than uproarious laughter, but laughing nonetheless. 

As for the criticism that the story's confusing and misses the supposed target audience because of adult-oriented elements, this just shows that the "target audience" wasn't just kids. "The Flintstones" is for kids AND adults equally, which was true of the original cartoon as well, but more so with the movie, and I'm glad. The live-action version of "Dudley Do-Right" (1999) made the mistake of aiming solely for kids – real little kids -- and it seriously bombed and justifiably so because it's a complete dud. It's impossible to watch that movie as an adult and stay interested. "The Flintstones" doesn't make this mistake and that's why it was such a hit and remains thoroughly entertaining to this day.

The cast is great, even Rosie O'Donnell as Betty (who I didn't think would work), but John Goodman as Fred is so good it's like the cartoon come to life! Furthermore, the sets and F/X are top-of-the line and surprisingly hold up to this day. In addition, the story has warmth and offers realistic and worthy themes. Take, for instance, Fred and Barney's bond. They're best friends and their personalities balance each other out. You'll see this in real life. My best friend, for example, is similar in some ways to Barney while I more fit the Fred role.

The bottom line is that "The Flintstones" is entertaining from beginning to end for all the reasons noted above and it wisely doesn't overstay its welcome at 91 minutes.

The film was shot at Vasquez Rocks, Santa Clarita and Sun Valley, California, and Snow Canyon State Park, Utah.

GRADE: A

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The Flintstones

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Cast

John Goodman

Elizabeth Perkins

Rick Moranis

Rosie O'Donnell

Kyle MacLachlan

Halle Berry

Elizabeth Taylor

Dann Florek

Richard Moll

Irwin Keyes

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