The live-action prequel, “Flintstones Viva Rock Vegas,” falls dramatically short of expectations set by its predecessor. This film struggles with a weak cast, poorly written dialogue, and uninspired filming techniques. The plot centers around Fred (Mark Addy) and Wilma Flintstone (Kristen Johnston), along with Barney (Stephen Baldwin) and Betty Rubble (Jane Krakowski), as they journey to Rock Vegas. Wilma becomes the object of affection for playboy Chip Rockefeller (Thomas Gibson), while a bizarre subplot involving a green alien observing human mating rituals further complicates the narrative.
The humor in “Flintstones Viva Rock Vegas” misses the mark, relying on tired gags and failing to elicit genuine laughter. The film’s attempt at comedy feels forced and often painful to watch, lacking any redeeming qualities that might appeal to even the youngest audience members. The overall impression is that the filmmakers treated the audience with disdain, prioritizing profit over quality.
Instead of building upon the relative success of the first “Flintstones” film, “Viva Rock Vegas” appears content with minimal effort, seemingly aiming only to capitalize on the franchise’s name recognition. This raises the question: why release a subpar sequel to an already critically panned film? The opportunity to improve upon the original and garner positive reviews was squandered.
“Flintstones Viva Rock Vegas” ultimately delivers a disappointing and difficult-to-watch comedic experience. It lacks any redeeming qualities and represents a missed opportunity for the franchise.
This film is best avoided.
