The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas

THE MOVIE:

The Story:

Again, this movie is actually a prequel to the first movie as well as cartoon. It tells the story of how Fred and Barney first met Wilma and Betty. Buddies and Rock-Quarry workers Fred and Barney meet Betty and Wilma and engage in a whirlwind romance. Along the way the gang gains a pet dino (Dino) and cross paths with an exiled alien (The Great Gazoo). Things in paradise aren't quite perfect though as Wilma's ex-beau shows up to reclaim Wilma and throw a monkey wrench into the boys' relationship with the girls.

The Cool Stuff:

It's all about the story here and effects here. As in the first movie, Bedrock (and Rock Vegas) are beautifully rendered. All the charm of the cartoons shines through in the film from the way Fred bowls to how he and Barney float into the air when things go right (Yabba-Dabba Doo!!!) all the way to Dino's seemingly perfectly transferred animation from the cartoon to the film. While people lambasted this film, the storytelling is once again done very well. The story is classic Flintstones, Fred does some dumb things to his regret landing him and Barney in trouble, Barney's lovably innocent and the girls, of course, prove they are smarter than the men. The addition of the Great Gazoo to the film is icing on the cake.

THE DVD:

While a little sparse compared to most new release DVDs, there are some nice extras here to enhance your viewing pleasure. Among the goodies included here are:

1."Making of Feature" - 15 minute feature that talks about, among other things, the making of the Rock Vegas set, the CGI animation and the casting of the actors.

2.Trailers: The theatrical and teaser trailer plus trailers for other movies.

3.Production Notes - more insight into the movie

4.Cast and Crew Bios

THE VERDICT:

Overall this movie was just nice. It may have may have been lambasted or passed by your radar the first time around but if you are looking for a nice rental for the weekend or evening this is your film. The storytelling is very solid and is just classic Flintstones in every respect. In my opinion, the movie is perhaps even superior to the first movie in this respect. All the charm of the cartoon translates perfectly is this movie. The DVD features, while a little sparse, help make this particular DVD a nice addition to your DVD library if you are so inclined to purchase it.

Final Grades:

Movie: 5 stars
Extras: 3 stars

Total: 4 stars

Highly Recommended


"Viva Rock Vegas" See how everyone met and fell in love.   April 16, 2003
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This film is NOT a sequel to THE FLINTSTONES (1994), but a prequel. This story takes place before the story of the first movie. A new cast is in this film telling the story (the movie version) of how Wilma, Betty, Fred and Barney meet each other. When it becomes love at first sight, they all become friends and decide to go to Rock Vegas. Ann-Margret sings "Viva Rock Vegas" to the tune of "Viva Las Vegas". Joan Collins plays the rich mother of Wilma who looks out for best interest. Harvey Korman has a fun role. And Dino is born. Locations include, Malibu, Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, California and Blayney Ranch, Palmdale, California. This DVD contains "Spotlight on Location", a behind-the-scenes look of the making of the film. Mark Addy played a wonderful and easier-on-the eye Fred Flintstone.


Yaba-Daba-Doo!   February 1, 2003
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I'm a big fan of Flintstones vitamins and the animated series. So I was really disappointed with the previous Flintstones live action movie. The jokes fell flat and although the casting was great (John Goodman was born to play Fred and Halle Berre in that skimpy outfit, yaba-daba-doo!), it didn't feel right. I think they tried too hard to capture the magic of the original show. You can't catch lightning in a bottle.

The beauty of "Rock Vegas" is, they didn't even try! This movie has Stephen Baldwin in it. He's the Baldwin they call when the other Baldwins have all thumbed their noses at the script! Mark Addy? Wasn't he one of the extras in "A Knight's Tale" or something? Kristen Johnson (Wilma) has the most celebrity here but she's horrendously miscast! Wilma is supposed to be this petite thing. Johnson, all 6 feet of her, with those thunder thighs and that whiskey voice...! Watch out for an appearance by a washed up, wrinkled Joan Collins!

So this movie has "Straight To Video" written all over it.

But somehow, it works. Don't ask me how. Somehow this cast, and the plot, and the wonderful sight gags all come together and if you suspend your belief for a moment, you'd think you were still watching the cartoon.

So if you like the Flintstones, give this a shot. Or wait til it comes on cable. And if you haven't tried Flintstones vitamins, do so. They're great and if you eat enough of them rumor has it, your urine will turn purple and green.