 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Flintstones
- Review Date: September 12, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1994
Common Sense Media says
Zany cave-age antics leaven too-serious plot.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that kids will hear some mild cursing and see plenty of cartoon violence. Faithful to the original, this movie also contains references to sex, plus onscreen drinking and smoking. There is also plenty of 1950s-style stereotyping of men and women both. Female characters are either housewives or sexpots. Men drink, bowl, attend lodge meetings, and are putty in the hands of non-wife sexpots. However, it is worth noting that the theme of personal sacrifice to help one's friends is stressed throughout the movie.
What's the story?
Fred Flintstone is promoted to corporate executive, then framed for embezzlement in this live-action version of the popular cartoon series. Flintstone (John Goodman) and Barney Rubble (Rick Moranis) work in the rock quarries of the prehistoric town of Bedrock. Fred loans Barney money from his and Wilma's (Elizabeth Perkins) savings account so Barney and Betty (Rosie O'Donnell) can adopt a child. Meanwhile, creepy executive Cliff Vandercave plans to promote one of his quarry workers to vice president, using an aptitude test to find a suitable candidate. Fred gets the promotion, with a little help from Barney. Unfortunately, it's all a setup. Vandercave plans to frame the new VP in an embezzlement scheme, and Fred's growing egotism at this promotion causes a rift between the former best pals -- especially when Fred is forced to fire Barney. Can the two make up in time to prevent Fred from going to jail, and get Barney his job back?
Is it any good?
Live-action versions of cartoon hits should be approached with caution; if an idea works well as a cartoon, it's unlikely to have the same impact in live action, and vice versa. THE FLINTSTONES actually makes the transition reasonably smoothly, thanks to clever casting and an eclectic display of wacky creatures (computer-generated and puppets). Much of the original series' humor, faithfully recreated here, stems from the fact that the Stone Age world had primitive versions of modern conveniences. Some of these gags, however, are more grotesque when not in cartoon form, but many kids will find this outlandish humor funny.
But Barney and Betty's attempts to adopt a baby, their subsequent financial troubles, and management vs. labor subplots are too serious and at odds with the absurd tone of the rest of the movie. Nevertheless, most kids will enjoy the preposterous world of The Flintstones. The prequel, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, is even better for kids, retaining this movie's virtues, but eliminating the dour elements.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about movie remakes and nostalagia. Why make a movie that essentially reproduces a cartoon most popular when many of today's parents were children? Do you think it's harder or easier than creating new characters, new themes, new stories? Is there an element of safety in remaking a once-popular movie or TV series?
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Kid, 10 years old
January 8, 2011
AGE
people aim guns at others but miss and a police man falls off a building
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AGE
Product placement more a teachable moment...
Product placement with humorous "rock" and "stone" analogies. Perhaps too much branding, but my kids loved finding them. I used it as a teachable moment for marketing.
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AGE
Unlike the series, it falls flat
This movie was a big let down. My family rented it when I was 6, and it wasen't worth it. Even then I thought it wasen't good.
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Kid, 10 years old
August 8, 2011
AGE
it'alright
i enjoyed it
i don't remenber any drug use but i remember the inuendo
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AGE
Zany and pathetic Flintstone movie
Idiotic icarnation of the classic 60s cartoon.
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Kid, 10 years old
November 28, 2009
AGE
this movie is the bomb!
its a good movie.
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AGE
awesome movie for the entire family
awesome movie for the whole family!!!! but 1 swear.
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Kid, 11 years old
March 3, 2012
AGE
Meh.....
An entertaining yet brainless film, chock-full of stereotypes and gross-out humor. Not much I can say here.
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| Topics: | friendship |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Brian Levant |
| Cast: | John Goodman, Rick Moranis, Rosie O'Donnell |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 91 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 23, 1994 |
| DVD release date: | October 14, 1997 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | Parental Guidance Suggested |
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