Would you like to know what really caused dinosaurs to become extinct? Do you have a burning desire to learn how the Flintstones and the Rubbles first met? Or where Wilma got her beautiful pearl necklace? If the answers to these world-shaking questions are important to you, by all means see The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas. However, if you prefer quality entertainment in the movies you pay for, save your clam shells.

Although billed as a family film, this prequel to the 1994 Flintstones movie contains sight gags about dinosaur flatulence and homosexuality (which kept it from receiving a "G" rating). It’s also much too talky for young children. In addition, the two main male characters are disastrously miscast. In the key role of Fred, British actor Mark Addy (The Full Monty) does a poor imitation of Jackie Gleason. As Barney, Stephen Baldwin (The Usual Suspects) proves again how talented the other Baldwin brothers are. Both John Goodman and Rick Moranis were much better in the original Flintstones flick.

That said, Viva Rock Vegas does have its bright moments. Kristen Johnston (3^rd Rock from the Sun) and Jane Krakowski (Ally McBeal) give delightful performances as Wilma and Betty. Alan Cumming (Titus) livens things up as Gazoo, the little green alien sent to observe Bedrock mating practices, and as Mick Jagged, a prehistoric rock star. Thomas Gibson (Dharma and Greg) gets a few laughs as Chip Rockefeller, the scoundrel Wilma’s mother (Joan Collins) wants her to marry. (After all, he went to Princestone and drives a Cadirock!). The campy Collins (Dynasty) wears absolutely fabulous Stone Age costumes --- especially one by famed designer Isaak Mizrocky.

Director Brian Levant, who helmed the previous Flintstones film also deserves credit for creating a more colorful and intriguing prehistoric world for this prequel. The sets, costumes, creatures, and special effects are all first-rate, thanks to Levant’s production team that includes art director Christopher Burian Mohr, cinematographer Jamie Anderson, Rhythm and Hues (visual effects), and the Jim Henson Creature Shop.

Still, none of this makes up for the film’s weak plot. Disguised as a romantic comedy, the flimsy story follows young Fred and Barney after they secure jobs at Bedrock’s rock quarry. They meet Wilma and Betty and go on a mismatched double date that ends up, of course, with the right pairings. In order to break up Wilma and Fred, Chip Rockefeller invites the four friends to his casino in Rock Vegas. He wants to frame Fred for a robbery and gain Wilma’s hand in marriage. Wilma’s family is rich, so then he would be able to pay money back to the mob. If he can’t pull this off, Chip has been warned he will "sleep with the tunasaurs." Not exactly a rock-solid story line, right?

Granted, the task of bringing a beloved cartoon to life cannot be easy. Recreating The Flintstones is particularly difficult because it is one of the longest running animated TV shows in broadcast history. In fact, the Hanna-Barbera series celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year and continues to air weekly on the Cartoon Network. Perhaps that old saying, "Leave well enough alone," applies here.

(Released by Univershell –- oops --- Universal Pictures and rated "PG" for innuendo and brief language.)