The Flintstones

1994

Fantasy elements

cavemen with '60s American lifestyles; dinosaurs and humans co-resident

Review

Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma, Dan Goodman as Fred (also starred Rick Moranis as Barney, Rosie O'Donnell as Betty)

A live action adaptation that keeps remarkably close to the famous Hanna-Barbera cartoon: Fred does his 'Twinkletoes' run when bowling; Wilma and Betty have their characteristic giggle; Dino is as boisterous as ever. In fact, the scenery and SFX have deliberately chunky, cartoonish style.

The plot has Fred winning a competition at the quarry and being made a Vice-President, only to be the fall guy in an embezzlement. But the plot's not important; the fun (and there isn't quite enough of it) is spotting the adaptations from the cartoons, the puns on rock names, and the new ways that modern American life is replicated by Stone Age technology.

Remember all those sacrifices your father made for you. A goat, cattle, your brother ...

What is done is done well, but it lacks that edge that would turn it from an okay to a good film.

Rating: 3.5

reviewed 26 December 1997