The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas |
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Theatrical release poster by Drew Struzan
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| Directed by | Brian Levant |
| Produced by | Bruce Cohen |
| Written by |
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| Starring | |
| Music by | David Newman |
| Cinematography | Jamie Anderson |
| Editing by | Kent Beyda |
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| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | April 28, 2000 |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $83 million |
| Money made | $59.5 million |
The movie The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas is a fun film from 2000. It's a prequel to the 1994 Flintstones movie and the famous cartoon show from the 1960s. This film tells the story of how Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble first met Wilma Slaghoople and Betty O'Shale. It's set in the Stone Age, but with a funny twist, like the city of "Rock Vegas" instead of Las Vegas!
None of the actors from the first Flintstones movie returned for this one. Instead, Mark Addy plays Fred, Stephen Baldwin is Barney, Kristen Johnston plays Wilma, and Jane Krakowski is Betty. The movie also features Joan Collins, Thomas Gibson, Harvey Korman, and Alan Cumming. Alan Cumming plays two characters: a little green alien named The Great Gazoo and a rock star called Mick Jagged.
The film cost about $83 million to make but only earned $59.5 million. This means it didn't make back its money. Many people didn't like the movie, but some thought it was better than the first one.
What Happens in the Movie?
The story begins with young Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. They are best friends and have just finished training to be crane operators. Now they need jobs and, even better, dates! A small green alien named The Great Gazoo appears. He was sent to Earth and can only be seen by Fred and Barney. Gazoo offers to help them find love.
Meanwhile, Wilma Slaghoople is tired of her fancy life. Her mom, Pearl, wants her to marry a rich casino owner named Chip Rockefeller. Wilma just wants a normal life, like going bowling. She runs away to a place called Bronto King in Bedrock. There, she meets a waitress named Betty O'Shale. Betty thinks Wilma is "caveless" (homeless) and offers to share her apartment and help her get a job.
Fred and Barney are very interested in the waitresses. They invite them to a carnival. At first, Fred dates Betty and Barney dates Wilma. But they soon realize they don't feel a strong connection. So, they switch dates! Fred then goes with Wilma, and Barney goes with Betty. It works much better! Fred wins a game and gets a dinosaur egg that hatches into a cute baby dinosaur. He names him "Dino."
Wilma invites her new friends to her father's birthday party. Everyone is surprised to see how rich Wilma's family is. Fred plans to ask Wilma to marry him, but then he meets Chip Rockefeller. Chip makes fun of Fred's simple job, and Fred feels bad. Wilma's mom, Pearl, doesn't like Fred, Barney, or Betty. But Wilma's dad, Colonel Slaghoople, is happy Wilma has found friends. He secretly gives Wilma a valuable pearl necklace that belonged to his great-grandmother.
After dinner, Fred and Barney cause some trouble. But Wilma still says she is proud of them and leaves with them. Chip congratulates Fred on getting Wilma's attention. He says sorry for making fun of Fred's job. Chip then invites the group to his fancy resort in Rock Vegas. But this is a trick! Chip wants Fred to gamble away all his money so Wilma will leave him. Fred thinks he can win a lot of money to impress Wilma.
Chip owes a lot of money to some tough people, Big Rocko and Little Rocko. Gazoo overhears Chip saying he plans to marry Wilma to get her family's money. Big Rocko and Little Rocko agree to wait for their money until after the wedding. Barney tries to stop Fred from playing high-stakes poker. So, Chip sends his girlfriend, Roxie, to distract Barney. She invites Barney to an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Chip keeps Fred gambling, so Fred misses his dinner date with Wilma and Betty. Betty sees Barney wiping cream from Roxie's chest and thinks he's flirting. She gets upset. A rock star named Mick Jagged tries to comfort Betty, and they go on a date. Wilma is angry that Fred isn't spending time with her and breaks up with him.
Chip then sets up Fred. He warns Wilma about robberies and makes sure Fred loses all his money. Then, Chip secretly puts Wilma's valuable pearl necklace into Fred's pocket. He asks Fred to empty his pockets, and hotel security arrests Fred for stealing! When Barney says Fred would never steal, Chip says Barney is Fred's helper and has him arrested too. Wilma is very angry and believes they stole from her, so she goes back to Chip.
In prison, Gazoo visits Fred and Barney. He tells them that Chip has huge money problems and plans to marry Wilma to get her family's money. He also reveals that Chip framed Fred for the robbery. Barney is small enough to slip through the bars. He steals the keys and unlocks their cell. They disguise themselves as dancers and accidentally run into Mick Jagged's dressing room. Barney tells Betty he loves her, and they make up after the misunderstanding with Roxie. Barney then knocks out Mick Jagged.
Fred decides to pretend to be Mick Jagged to win Wilma back. Meanwhile, on stage, Chip asks Wilma to marry him, but she doesn't answer. Fred, dressed as Jagged, comes on stage and sings to Wilma. He says sorry for how he acted and then asks her to marry him. Wilma still loves Fred and happily says yes! She rejects Chip, and they get married right there in the Rock Vegas Chapel of Love. Chip sees Big Rocko and Little Rocko starting to take apart a Chip doll, meaning they're coming for him!
After the wedding, everyone sings "Meet the Flintstones". Later, at a party, Mick Jagged sings "Viva Rock Vegas." Betty catches Wilma's tossed wedding bouquet and kisses Barney. Fred and Wilma drive away with Dino and Gazoo. Their friends and family wave goodbye, and even a handcuffed Chip and Roxie are there.
Who's Who in the Cast?
- Mark Addy as Fred Flintstone, a crane operator and one of the main characters.
- Stephen Baldwin as Barney Rubble, Fred's best friend and also a crane operator.
- Kristen Johnston as Wilma Slaghoople, a rich girl who wants a normal life.
- Jane Krakowski as Betty O'Shale, a kind waitress who becomes Wilma's friend.
- Thomas Gibson as Chip Rockefeller, a casino owner who tries to trick Wilma.
- Alan Cumming as The Great Gazoo, a helpful alien who can only be seen by Fred and Barney.
- Alan Cumming also plays Mick Jagged, a famous rock star.
- Harvey Korman as Colonel Slaghoople, Wilma's understanding father.
- Joan Collins as Pearl Slaghoople, Wilma's strict mother.
- Alex Meneses as Roxie, Chip's girlfriend who helps him with his plans.
- Tony Longo as Big Rocko, a tough guy Chip owes money to.
- Danny Woodburn as Little Rocko, Big Rocko's shorter partner.
- Irwin Keyes as Joe Rockhead, a character from the first movie.
- William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the creators of The Flintstones cartoon, make special appearances.
- Rosie O'Donnell provides the voice of an octopus giving massages. She played Betty in the first Flintstones movie.
- Kristen Stewart as Ring Toss Girl.
Music in the Movie
The famous singer Ann-Margret sings the main theme song for the movie. It's a fun version of the song "Viva Las Vegas" but changed to fit the Stone Age theme, including parts of the original Flintstones TV show song.
