The Flintstones
Genre: Comedy/Animation
Director: Chris Renaud
Writers: Lon Charles & Joshua Collins
Based on the animated series
Voice Cast: John C. Reilly, Andy Samberg, Kelly Reilly, Ellie Kemper, Aziz Ansari, Stephen Tobolowsky, John Mulaney, Tony Hale
Plot: Bedrock - 10,000 B.C.
Fred Flintstone (John C. Reilly) works as a bronto-crane operator at the Slate Rock and Gravel Company. When 5PM comes around, the owner of the company Mr. Slate (Stephen Tobolowsky) pulls the tail of a dodo bird, who squawks, signaling the end of the workers' shift. Fred slides down the tail of the brontosaurus. Slate gives him a thumbs up for a job well done on the day, distracting Fred, and causing him to crash land next to his car. Fred nervously looks around to make sure nobody witnessed his wipeout before getting into his car and beginning his foot-powered drive home.
On the drive home, Fred stops by to place a bet on that night's big football game, picking the Redrock Stonebacks to win. When Fred arrives home, his wife Wilma (Kelly Reilly) is vacuuming the home, using a baby elephant to suck up the messes. Wilma pleads with Fred to spend some time with their daughter Pebbles before the game comes on TV. Fred plays fetch with Pebbles and the family "dog" Dino. The Flintstone's next door neighbors, Barney (Andy Samberg) and Betty Rubble (Ellie Kemper) arrive for a visit with their young son Bamm-Bamm, who coincidentally can only say his own name. Barney joins Fred to watch the game in the living room. Fred quickly becomes annoyed with Barney's attempts at friendly conversation as the Stonebacks fall behind in the game, putting Fred's bet in jeopardy. Meanwhile Wilma and Betty chat in the laundry room where Wilma shows off the family's new pelican washing machine. Betty asks how they can afford some a fancy machine. Wilma explains that Fred has assured her that he is in line for Employee of the Month at work and that it comes with a nice cash bonus. The Stonebacks lose their big game and Fred grumbles about his lost bet.
The next morning, Fred heads to work, only to find it deserted. He encounters Mr. Slate, who explains that the quarry is shutting down due to environmental concerns. When Fred asks about his job, Slate coldly suggests he could get a job flipping burgers over at Bronto-Burger, at least until they are allowed to re-open. Fred leaves, frustrated. On his way back home, a wheel breaks on Fred's car, forcing himself to walk the rest of the way home. Dejected, he walks home to break the news to Wilma. She tries to reassure him, suggesting that things ever get really bad she can always get a loan from her wealthy mother. Fred immediately rejects this out of pride and tells Wilma that he is determined to provide for the family.
Fred takes a job at Bronto-Burger, though he’s unhappy about flipping burgers. After his shift, Barney offers Fred a ride and tries to cheer him up by taking him bowling. The outing lifts Fred’s spirits, and while they bowl, he notices an ad for an upcoming bowling tournament with a $10,000 prize. Fred dreams of what the winnings could do for his family: a luxury fur coat for Wilma, a college fund for Pebbles, and more. Barney, however, reminds him that they’re not professional bowlers. Fred devises a plan for them to play poorly at first to throw off their competition, surprising everyone in the final rounds. Barney is skeptical, but Fred’s confidence convinces him. Returning home, Fred tells Wilma about his plan to win the bowling tournament is furious and accuses him of chasing another get-rich-quick scheme. Fred insists his plan will work, but Wilma is skeptical and plans to call her mother to ask for a loan.
The following day, Fred and Barney start practicing for the tournament, sticking to Fred’s strategy of deliberately bowling poorly to deceive their competitors before the important matches begin. Meanwhile, Wilma and Betty are out running errands and venting about their husbands’ latest scheme when they spot Mr. Slate at a cafe, meeting with two men who look strikingly similar to Fred and Barney. These men, named Ned (John Mulaney) and Marney (Tony Hale), are revealed to be another team in the tournament, backed by Mr. Slate. Listening in, Wilma and Betty overhear that Mr. Slate is sponsoring Ned and Marney to win the prize money, which he plans to use to fund a new quarry that would demolish Cobblestone Way—their neighborhood.
Shocked by this revelation, Wilma and Betty rush to inform Fred and Barney but decide not to distract them until after the game. Instead, they cheer them on with new intensity, knowing what’s at stake.
In the tournament, Fred and Barney advance through several rounds using their “bad bowling” tactic, which allows them to outplay overconfident opponents. Wilma and Betty continue to watch closely, aware that Mr. Slate’s team, the Rockville Rexes (Ned and Marney), are also progressing through the brackets with a similar strategy. Both teams make it to the final match, setting up a showdown between the Bedrock Rubblestones (Fred and Barney) and the Rockville Rexes.
Before the big game, Wilma and Betty confront Mr. Slate, calling out his plans to destroy their homes. Slate shrugs it off, arrogantly suggesting they can “just move somewhere else.” He leaves them with a chilling warning: they’d better hope Fred and Barney can pull off a win if they want to save their homes.
That night, Wilma expresses her worry to Betty, feeling frustrated that Fred doesn’t fully grasp the stakes. Betty reassures her that Fred’s carefree attitude comes from his confidence in her support. In a rare moment of reflection, Wilma realizes that Fred’s trust in her is part of why he can stay optimistic. She resolves to make sure Fred understands just how much depends on this game.
It’s the day of the final match, and Fred and Barney are ready to face off against the Rockville Rexes. At first, they stick to their strategy, bowling poorly to lull their opponents into a false sense of security. However, Wilma realizes that this tactic won’t work against Mr. Slate’s team, who are also holding back. She tries to alert Fred from the sidelines, but he’s convinced they’ve got it under control.
As the game progresses, Barney finally cracks under the pressure and confesses the truth to Fred: if they lose, Mr. Slate will tear down Cobblestone Way to build a new quarry. The revelation infuriates Fred, who realizes the stakes are much higher than he thought. Determined to protect his family’s home, he tells Barney it’s time to play for real.
Fred’s sudden focus results in a perfect strike, shocking everyone. Ned and Marney quickly respond by turning up their own game, leading to a nail-biting, back-and-forth match. As the game nears its end, it all comes down to Fred’s final throw. Just as he’s about to roll the ball, the Great Gazoo (Aziz Ansari) appears, offering to “help” Fred win. Fred is in such deep focus that he doesn't even notice the small green extraterrestrial floating next to him. Gazoo shakes his head, referring to Fred as a dumb-dumb. Barney, the only other person who can seemingly see Gazoo, is scared into silence. Fred tiptoes up to the line and lets go of the ball, needing to hit a difficult split to win. As the ball hits the lane, it splits in half, with each half knocking down a pin, giving Fred and Barney enough points to win the tournament. The crowd erupts in cheers as Fred shouts his iconic “Yabba Dabba Doo!” Fred celebrates, while Wilma and Betty embrace, relieved their homes are safe. Barney is still too stunned by the brief appearance of Gazoo to do anything. Bamm-Bamm celebrates by running around the bowling alley, smashing down pins with his bat, when Barney tries to stop him, Bamm-Bamm chases him around.
In the final scenes, the Flintstones, Rubbles, and their friends celebrate together, surrounded by the community they’ve fought to protect. As Fred attempts to lock up the house for the night, Baby Puss, the Flintstones’ saber-tooth cat, slips inside, leaving Fred hilariously locked out. Just as Fred bangs on the door, yelling for Wilma, Gazoo reappears, telling the audience to “scram.”
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