There's one thing the lyrics get right: The Flintstones are the modern stone age family, "modern" underlined.Indeed, the iconic family from the town of Bedrock set all the standards of TV sitcoms decades before "The Simpsons". Fred Flintstone, originally a variation of Jackie Gleason in "The Honeymooners" became the staple of all TV everyday American fathers, big-sized, big-hearted but of average intelligence guys who drink beer, go bowling buddies and of course, make us laugh.Speaking of big and jovial, remember that bus scene in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" where Steve Martin who was playing a stuck-up and sinister businessman was asked to pick a song. His choice was rather uninspired as "Three Coins in the Fountain" only garnered awkward silences... until John Candy caught up by singing the "Flintstones" theme and the whole bus sang in unison, and you could even hear the iconic "Wilma!" at the end. That's how popular the show was to a whole generation of adults and kids in 1987... and I could have picked another example such as "The Simpsons" hilarious parody in the "Monorail" episode, if it wasn't for Fred, there would be no Homers.Technically and visually, "The Flintstones" wasn't exactly a landmark of animation but it was a game-changer because as a cartoon with the appeal of a TV series and whose years of re-runs consolidated the legacy. People enjoyed the plots as well as the animation, maybe more. Personally, I've never been a fan of Hanna-Barbera 60s/70s cartoons but "The Flintstones" (and to a lesser degree, "The Jetsons") is one of the rare peaks of animation reached at a time where minimalist UPA and TV politics had killed off all the charm and visual quality inherited from the Golden Age. So in the early 90s, everyone had grown up with the TV program and would mostly associate prehistoric times with funny people dressed in cavemen's clothes, driving cars with their feet and having dinosaurs or animals as pets or household objects.The cartoon's secret was to have all these elements used as peripheral gags or props to establish the environment while the episodes, as I remember ,were consistent enough to sustain a half-an-hour format and mature enough to attract adult audiences. I was often surprised by the show's length but I guess that's the reason why it was the last one aired on Cartoon Network before the torch was passed to TNT. That mix of cartoony elements and adult-related themes made it a fitting transition. And this is why I believe the movie adaptation does justice to the cartoon because the central character is the everyday man caught up in situations adults can relate to, bonding with friends, being promoted, handling a sexy secretary and spiteful mother-in-law etc. Roger Ebert praised the visuals but criticized the plot, a Razzie-nominated screenplay with as many writers as extras in "Gandhi". Okay, it might not be the script of the year but I don't know what he exactly expected as a more kid-oriented family film. Surely dealing with aptitude tests, mechanization, adultery and adoption isn't exactly the themes children expect in an animated movie, but first of all, most fans were all grown-ups and secondly, the film contains so much slapstick and visual delights that I can't imagine kids yawning in the theater. The balance doesn't always work and there are many overly dark and sexy moment t but Ebert's criticism echoed a similar complaint he had about "The Lion King" which was too dramatic for children and dealt with Shakespearian themes such as succession, tribalism and honor that might get over the heads of the little ones. But now, it's regarded as a classic, and given how many cartoons patronize children with their marketing-oriented themes, "The Flintstones" has aged unexpectedly well. Sure, we're all blasé about live-action remakes but it wasn't yet a trend in the 90s and CGI effects were still getting warm with "The Mask" or "Jurassic Park". For all its computer imagery, the film strikes for its great practical effects, a rock can look phony but never fake. And there's John Goodman's performance carrying the film like a huge boulder and he's so good I can't believe he was snubbed by the Golden Globes. If Jim Carrey is nominated for "The Mask", there's no reason to overlook Goodman who doesn't impersonate a cartoon character but appropriate him so well that we can't separate between the two. He's over the top enough to remind us of Fred but human enough to fit a live-action format. Rick Moranis is perfect as Barney Rubble, his long-suffering friend, and Elizabeth Perkins does a goof job as Wilma. Kyle McLachlan and Halle Berry plays the villainous scheming duo and you can tell how much fun they had playing their roles, as Berry points it out, she was bad, but she was so good at it.The real problem was the casting of Rosie O'Donnell and I feel almost guilty because apart from her look, her performance didn't ruin the film. The problem is that Betty Rubble's beauty is as much a defining trait as Fred's orange suit, Rosie O'Donnell isn't ugly but isn't exactly the first beauty to come to your mind. It was distracting and became one of the most notorious cases of miscasting. Another misfire was the unnecessary kidnapping of the children, till now, the scream of Little Pebbles in that wagon seems out of place. Apart from that, the film was good enough to garner more awards, it was overdue a special effects Oscar nomination or set-designs. As for the critics who thought kids wouldn't actually understand or enjoy the plot, I guess the plot of the film itself teaches a good lesson to those who're too eager to underestimate one's lack of intelligence. The film is certainly not flawless, but it's entertaining, fun and aged better than expected. And who can resist to the sight of Liz Taylor forming a Konga line with a caveman and a pet-dinosaur?

I like The Flintstones, and I am a fan of the animated series, so it's inevitable I would watch this movie at some point. I enjoyed it for what it was as a child - it was okay! I remember the animated show appearing on Boomerang, and use to watch plenty of episodes especially before heading off to school. It's just a stand-alone movie to the animated series, and there's not much difference between the two - really! It was good that it was made since The Flintstones was still a popular show back then otherwise it never would've been made. The movie shouldn't be taken too seriously, and should be enjoyed for what it was. Yes, it does have flaws, and the story can seem a bit vague, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying it. If you're a fan of The Flintstones, watch it otherwise don't. Just be glad that there is actually a movie about this show. The Flintstones is another one of these cool 90s movies we've been blessed with.

Somewhere along the line there must have been a fascination to see what would happen if cartoons were turned into live action films. That must be the reason we ended up with Popeye (with Robin Williams) and this take on 'The Flinstones' with John Goodman.It's actually a successful attempt, and the film remains a regular fixture on TV. There are enough little nods to the cartoon, while a feasible story is being told.Goodman is better as Fred than Moranis is as Barney, but there's enough sweetness to keep this film on track.Nothing will top the cartoon, but this is an honest attempt.

Far from the worst movie I have ever seen, but still a missed opportunity, and not really that good.Plot In A Paragraph: Jurassic Jollies all around as we get the first live action version of "The Flintstones" in which there is trouble at the Quarey as Senior Executive Cliff Vandercave (Kyle MacLachlan) and secretary Miss Sharon Stone (Halle Berry) plan to swindle the company of its vast fortune and flee, but they need a stooge to take the fall for it. Enter a promotion for Fred. The film stars John Goodman as Fred Flintstone, Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble, Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma Flintstone, and Rosie O'Donnell as Betty Rubble, along with Kyle MacLachlan as an executive-vice president of Fred's company, Halle Berry as his seductive secretary and Elizabeth Taylor, in her final theatrical film, as Wilma's mother.Visually it's impressive, and a lot of the fun things to see are usually little things, often in the background. Goodman is the perfect Fred, whilst Moranis is great as Barney, elsewhere Halle Berry literally steams up the screen she is that hot. Sadly Kyle MacLachlan is in full pantomime villain mode and it's just as well this was Liz Taylor's last movie as she over acts horribly.