THE FLINTSTONES IN VIVA ROCK VEGAS
US, 2000, 90 minutes, Colour.
Mark Addy, Stephen Baldwin, Kristen Johnston, Jane Krakowsky, Joan Collins, Thomas Gibson, Alan Cumming, Harvey Korman, Alex Meneses.
Directed by Brian Levant.
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas is actually a prequel to the 1994 film The Flintstones.
The Flintstones were very successful on television from 1960 to 1966, one of the first of the animation series on television to reach a worldwide audience. Whether it is a good idea to transform cartoon characters into real-life characters on-screen is a moot point. The first film, also directed by Brian Levant (who has made some unmemorable comedies like Are We There Yet, Problem Child 2, Jingle All the Way) was a bit more upmarket than this one with a stronger cast. However, the basic jokes are in both films, plenty of rock puns, and sometimes very amusing parallels between the Stone Age world and the contemporary world.
Mark Addy substitutes for John Goodman in this film. Stephen Baldwin substitutes for Rick Moranis. Kristen Johnston is Wilma and Jane Krakowsky is Betty. The first film boasted having Elizabeth Taylor – and this film can boast a very glamorous Joan Collins acting as if she was still in Dynasty. One of the reviewers referred to her costumes as Neanderthal retro chic as well as designer vulgarity.
There is a villain called Chip Rockefeller – obvious connections. This time, however, an alien arrives from outer space to observe human mating habits and actually helps Fred and Barney. He is played by Alan Cumming who also has the opportunity to play a vain rock star called Mick Jagged.
The film has, by and large, fairly obvious comic style, plenty of crass jokes, corny puns, yet some amusing variations on contemporary themes – even people going to restaurants called Bronto King.
1.The popularity of The Flintstones? As an animated series? The characters, the names, the rock puns? The situations in the Stone Age paralleling contemporary situations?
2.The live action, actors satisfactorily portraying two-dimensional cartoon characters? The impersonations?
3.The setting: the re-creation of Bedrock, the Stone Age? Houses, vehicles? The restaurants, the casinos? The countryside? The dinosaurs?
4.The musical score and its familiarity, ‘Meet the Flintstones’? Songs?
5.The film as a prequel to The Flintstones, Fred and Barney young, meeting Wilma and Betty, falling in love, marriage? The enjoyment of seeing their early lives – for those familiar with them in middle age?
6.Fred and Barney, their characters, caricatures? Genial but dumb? Innocent and naïve? The encounter with Gazoo? Chip Rockefeller and his double-dealings? Fred being tricked at the casino? His being set up to be accused of robbing Wilma’s jewellery? Fred and the encounter with Wilma, falling in love? Was it credible that Wilma would marry him? Barney, the double date, his being with Betty? The transition from naïve, the encounters with Chip Rockefeller and Mick Jagged, to more mature and marrying types? Their interaction with Pearl Slaghoople? The Colonel and his not being with it? Barney and the encounter with Roxie and Betty’s jealousy?
7.Wilma, her wealthy background? The humour and satire in having Joan Collins play her mother? Using the Dynasty style in the Stone Age? Colonel Slaghoople and his not being with it? Wilma and her decision to leave home, getting the job in the restaurant, friendship with Betty? The double date, with Fred? The set-up for the robbery of her jewellery? The attentions of Chip Rockefeller and her rejecting them? Her marrying Fred?
8.Chip Rockefeller, the dastardly Stone Age villain? The casino? His pursuit of Wilma for her money? Letting Fred win, the preparation of the accusation, his being unmasked?
9.The character of Mick Jagged, the vain rock star, the satire at the expense of Mick Jagger? Good-natured or not?
10.Gazoo, the alien, coming to Earth, his encounter with the humans? His befriending Fred and Barney? Helping them out in the end?
11.The characters around Bedrock, the Bronto Crane examiners, Big Rocco and Little Rocco, Roxy and her encounter with Barney? Keith Richrock?
12.An enjoyable entertainment – for those who remember the television series? Or watch it on cable television and satellite? For younger audiences? Adults?
