The Flintstones (1994)

Directed by Brian Levant. Starring John Goodman, Rick Moranis, Elizabeth Perkins, Kyle MacLachlan, Rosie O’Donnell, Halle Berry, Elizabeth Taylor, Dann Florek, Jonathan Winters, Richard Moll, Irwin Keyes, (voice) Harvey Korman. [PG]

Live-action film version of the 60s animated TV comedy set in the prehistoric neighborhood of Bedrock. Flimsy story involves Fred Flintstone (Goodman) getting unknowingly swept up in an embezzlement scheme after being picked as a corporate-climbing patsy by corrupt VP Machlachan; elsewhere, the Rubbles adopt a baby called Bamm Bamm, and the friendship between Fred and Barney (Moranis) gets tested by the powers of arrogance and envy. Faithful production/costume design is about all there is to recommend in this tiresome misfire, where the height of comedy is defined by visual references to the cartoon (Fred dancing on tippy-toes while bowling) and pathetic puns—“Gorge Lucas” is one thing, but “Steven Spielrock”? Too juvenile for the adult fans of the old show, while most of the sub-plots (corporate malfeasance and infidelity temptations) are too mature for the kiddies. Nearly three dozen writers contributed to the script; tough to say what’s more surprising: that the story sorta holds together with all those different voices, or that all of them together couldn’t come up with more than two or three amusing bits. Goodman proves that even in bad projects, he’s always good, but most of the other major parts are poorly cast, especially O’Donnell as Wilma, who gets less to do, it seems, than the villain! Followed by a prequel: The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.

32/100