The Flintstones . Austin Chronicle . 10-05-98

The Flintstones

DIRECTED BY: Joseph Barbera

REVIEWED: 10-05-98

32 writers reportedly had a hand in writing The Flintstones, which would seem to bode ill for the plot, but it still turns out to be a surprisingly watchable spectacle, thanks mainly to a gargantuan budget and a free rein on set design and art direction. Kyle ("whatever happened to my career?") McLachlan plays an evil executive who plots with hottie Halle Berry to set up Fred (Goodman) in an embezzling scheme; soon Fred finds himself awash in cash at Cavern on the Green rather than RocDonald's. He callously fires best friend Barney (Moranis) and lives the country-club life before the whole thing starts caving in on him. Trite, huh? Aw, who the hell cares?! Goodman's bulk and mannerisms make him the perfect Fred, Moranis is spot-on as the dimwitted Barney, Rosie O'Donnell has Betty's giggle down pat, and Elizabeth Perkins ... well, she just looks a lot like Wilma. Liz Taylor nearly steals the show as Fred's shrill, yammering harpy of a mother-in-law. Listen closely for Harvey Korman's voice as the Dictabird; you can also spot Jonathan Winters, Jay Leno, and Jean VanDerPyl (Wilma's original voice actress) in cameos if you're attentive enough. There's the problem of a movie made from a cartoon that's already a derivative of The Honeymooners, but just think of it as an enormous live-action cartoon. Got any kids? You can watch it together without your eyes glazing over. (Career suggestions for Kyle McLachlan: l) With that hair, take a shot at the next film that features Hitler; 2) get cast in a whodunit with you, Evil Dead's Bruce Campbell, and Dharma and Greg's Thomas Gibson as suspects; 3) somehow have Showgirls expunged from your resumé.)

--Jerry Renshaw

Film Vault Suggested Links
Teletubbies (tv)
Gilligan's Island (tv)
The Beverly Hillbillies (tv)

Rate this Film
If you don't want to vote on a film yet, and would like to know how others voted, leave the rating selection as "Vote Here" and then click the Cast Vote button.