The Flintstones-A Calculated Money Grab
This is the kind of film that movie critics and reviewers might often say is good for children and I suppose one has to agree. However, this is one seriously silly film that is about as straight forward of a studio money grab as one will ever, hopefully, see. The only real reason the film was successful was due to the very high name recognition that the Flintstones enjoy in the United States and around the world. For adults this film is too devoid of any real substance and should be avoided. One could find worse entertainment, as The Flinstones has some interesting visuals pertaining to stone age live, but I doubt most will find the I.Q. crushing script worthy of their time.
What really makes The Flintstones a rough ride is the casting. John Goodman as Fred Flintstone is good enough and the rest of the cast does a decent job. However, Rosie O'Donnell as Betty Rubble? Wow, that is pretty scary. O'Donnell is a mortal wound for any film she is in and this is a true casting blunder if there ever was one.
With a budget of roughly $30-$40 million dollars The Flintstones was extremely successful in being exactly what it was designed to be, a pure money grab out of the pockets of the “family of four.” Happy studio executives saw well over $300 million dollars flow into the corporate coffers as a result of this cunning move. If anything The Flintstones was part of the early guard that helped usher in the horrific era of the television show to big screen era. This is likely to be the largest lasting impact of The Flintstones upon the history of cinema, for it certainly broke no other ground.
Story D- (What story.)
Acting C- (Goodman does a fine job as Fred but O'Donnell destroys any film she is in, sorry if you are a fan of hers, but it is just true.)
Visuals B- (Some of the stone age life elements are funny enough and the only thing that keeps a half-way sentient adult from running out of the theater screaming like a little girl.)
Originality/Innovation D- (One of the least original big budget films ever made.)
Enjoyability Grade D
Home Theater/HD Factor C+
Overall Grade D-(Just avoid this film.)
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