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

The SFX are ok, but the script is unredeemably shallow, immature and full of second-rate puns and gags. The biggest payoff is the impressions and the sets, and the original movie had way more of both (along with a decent plot!). The last movie felt like it had a beginning, a middle, and an end, this just slumps the whole way through, but actors help out immensely. I think it tried to be too serious or goofy in scenes. I constantly thought, 'I guess I'm supposed to laugh now' or 'care now'.

I love the surreal nature of having this imaginative world in live action. It sounds strange, but to see Wilma get her pearls is... *weird*. I guess that's where most of my enjoyment comes from, but again, Spielberg did it better.

To put this in perspective, I paid [money] for it and I'm starting to wish I had saved the cash.

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.