The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas opened on this day 25 years ago (and yes, before you check, this is Scrat OT, because they’re the only one who would center a header around this). Following the success of the 1994 movie, Universal wanted to move forward with a sequel (or sequels) immediately, but thanks to a number of rocky production hurdles (including John Goodman reportedly really not wanting to return as Fred Flintstone), it ultimately became a belated prequel which failed to drum up the marketing insanity that boosted up the first film.
Director Brian Levant wanted to go all out with the Vegas angle and make a full blown musical, but studio heads were quick to shut the idea down. Unsurprisingly, Viva Rock Vegas disappointed at the box office, but no one was expecting it to flop so badly that it would put a grinding halt to all Flintstones theatrical outings going forward. And yet it did, for as much as Hollywood keeps trying, we still haven’t had a new Bedrock flick since this.
That said, it does have a following, and I think it has something to do with them really not making movies like this anymore. These days, all of the prehistoric creatures would be brought to life entirely with CGI, but in Viva Rock Vegas, there is still a heavy dependance on puppets. I mean, look at this image. Look at that octopus. Tell me that isn’t kind of charming.
As previously mentioned, Viva Rock Vegas didn’t enjoy the merchandising blitz that dominated the 1994 rockbuster, but it did still have a fast food promotion. McDonald’s had gone all out six years prior to bring fans an insane amount of goodies, but now it was Burger King’s turn. Why Burger King? Because if you’ve seen the movie, then you know it introduces Betty and Wilma as employees of “Bronto King”–corporate synergy at its finest! While McDonald’s had featured actual glassware for their campaign, Burger King would stick to basics with a set of four Kids Meal toys (or BIG Kids Meal toys, as this was from that era of BK).
Now, unlike toys for the 1994 film, these figures didn’t resemble their live-action counterparts (sorry to those who wanted a wind-up Fred Flintstone who could also double as a wind-up Robert Baratheon). Instead, they look like they came straight out of the cartoon show, and that’s fine, because we’re now getting to the reason I’m nostalgic for this movie: the Baby Dino Burger King toy. I got him one afternoon when my mom was at the doctor, and it might be one of the greatest (BIG) kids meal toys ever.
Basically, you put him into his egg and wind it up. Then, after a moment of anticipation, he will burst out of his egg and “hatch” as he waddles forward. It’s honestly pretty amazing for something you got for free with your French fries. The only other toy I got from this collection back in the day was Fred and Barney at the Bronto King Drive-Thru, but that was okay, since I had my Baby Dino, and he was the one that really mattered.
Have a Yabba-Dabba-Night, y’all!