The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas ** (2000, Mark Addy, Kristen Johnston, Stephen Baldwin, Joan Collins, Ann-Margret, Jane Krakowski, Alan Cumming, Thomas Gibson, Harvey Korman) – Classic Movie Review 3899

Britain’s Mark Addy takes over from John Goodman as Fred Flintstone, who travels to Rock Vegas where his future wife Wilma Slaghoople is pursued by playboy Chip Rockefeller (Thomas Gibson), in this soppy but happy 2000 live-action prequel to the 1994 original hit movie The Flintstones.

The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000) is directed by Brian Levant, runs 90 minutes, is made by Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment and Hanna-Barbera Productions, is released by Universal, and is written by Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont, Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr, based on the animated TV series by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.

The young Flintstone and Rubble families travel to Rock Vegas where Wilma has a rocky road with Chip Rockefeller in this unexpected sequel with almost all the old cast gone, but a pretty good new ensemble, game for a laugh, doing quite well by it all.

It is set in Bedrock 2 million years BC, where Fred and Wilma (Addy, Kristen Johnston) help their neighbours Barney Rubble and Betty O’Shale (Stephen Baldwin, Jane Krakowski). Joan Collins amuses as Fred’s future mother-in-law from hell, Pearl Slaghoople.

Also aboard are Alan Cumming as Mick Jagged, Harvey Korman as Colonel Slaghoople, Alex Meneses as Roxie, John Taylor as Keith Rockhard, Tony Longo as Big Rocko, Danny Woodburn as Little Rocko, Taylor Negron, Jack McGee and Gary Epp. So there is plenty of comedy talent on screen to make it work at least some of the time.

Ann-Margret appears – but alas simply to join in and sing a disco version of her old movie Viva Las Vegas (1964) hit song, Viva Las Vegas, now of course called Viva Rock Vegas.

The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas cost an astonishing $83,000,000 and grossed only $35,268,275, with a cumulative worldwide gross of only $59,468,275, ending the franchise.

Irwin Keyes is the only actor to play the same character (Joe Rockhead) from The Flintstones (1994) but several other actors reappear in different roles.

The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas is directed by Brian Levant, runs 90 minutes, is made by Hanna-Barbera, Amblin and Universal, is released by UIP, is written by Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont, Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr and Jamie Anderson, is produced by William Hannah, Joseph Barbera and Bruce Cohen, is scored by David Newman and is designed by Brad Ricker.

Happy 85th birthday on 23 May 2018 to Joan Collins, Golden Globe winner for Dynasty in 1983 and Razzie Award nominee as Worst Supporting Actress for The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas in 2001, as well as star of Empire of the Ants (1977) and Land of the Pharaohs (1955).

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3899
Check out more reviews on: derekwinnert.com