Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

ShadowWalkingSchemer I went in expecting Popeye to be more or less like the cartoons, except in live-action. What I got left me sorely disappointed.The soundtrack was very terrible. If I see the 'music and lyrics by' credit in a movie, you better make the songs worth it. As it turns out, the songs weren't memorable at all, and Olive Oyl's vocals in particular were fairly bad. If a cast member can't sing, don't make them do it. Save it for the ones who can, or better yet, compose a normal soundtrack and call it a day. Nilsson dropped the ball hard in this area. As the movie went on, I kept waiting for Popeye or someone to kick the story into high gear, but it never happened. Instead, I got something that felt like it was traveling at a snail's pace while providing very little humor along the way. By the time I reached the last 30 minutes, I was only halfheartedly paying attention. I remember something about Pappy sailing after Bluto with Popeye and friends, and the final battle in the cave, but I didn't get any satisfaction from seeing Popeye triumph. I just wanted to see the credits roll so I could add it to my checklist.Finally, Robin Williams did a decent job as Popeye, and his mutterings were amusing at times. Duvall was somewhat annoying as Olive Oyl, but did look the part, so good for her. The other cast members weren't anything special, but I suppose they played their roles well enough.I'm sure there are people who like the movie, but it just didn't do anything for me.

scottdshaker To start I want to say that I Marginally liked this film in 1980. Before 1978's Richard Donner's "Superman" there weren't too many comic/cartoon adaptations out there so we really didn't know what to expect from comic book movies. In Robert Altman's "Popeye" the audience didn't get that Altman was trying to make a cartoon come alive without animation. Robin Williams performance was spectacular as was Ray Walston's and Shelly Duvall. People didn't think it should have been a musical and that the music didn't work and critics trashed it so the stars and director disowned this film.Tim Burton's "Batman" in 1989 started to set the tone for what comic book movies should be but then the comic book themed movies fell apart with the rest of the Batman franchise until Christopher Nolan and Joss Whedon gave comic book movies a new direction.Now that there are comic book/cartoon movies out about every other month it would be great for younger viewers to revisit this film, I now find it delightful and hate to use the term "ahead of its time" but it really was!The only hard part now it that most younger viewers probably don't know who Popeye the Sailor man is and its too bad that Robin Williams is gone because a new film with him as Poop deck Pappy would be a lot of fun!

brchthethird POPEYE was Robin Williams' first starring role in a feature film, and he inhabits the character perfectly. This movie, more than any other that I can remember, is the best example of a live action cartoon, in the best sense of the term. Watching it was like a cartoon come to life. It was truly wonderful and extremely funny to watch characters behaving as if they were in one, from their movement to the way they spoke. And none exemplify this better than Robin Williams in the title role, who channels his unbridled comic talent into a completely dedicated performance which is equally hilarious and touching. The story is fairly simple, though. Popeye rows into the town of Sweethaven looking for his 'Pap.' While there, he (and the audience) find out about how messed up that town really is. They have an absurd amount of taxes, and everyone is kept in fear of a mysterious Commodore and Captain Bluto, who run the town. He also meets Olive Oyl, played (at times screechingly) by Shelley Duvall (who also fits her role perfectly). This film is also a musical, and there several catchy numbers which have the capacity to stick in your head if you aren't careful. If I have any complaints, it's that Shelley Duvall isn't as good a singer as she is an actress, but nothing she does really ruins the picture. The biggest flaw in the film is direction the narrative takes about two thirds of the way through. I also thought that Bluto wasn't really given his due as a character. Still, for Robin Williams fans this will be essential viewing. It's a wacky, manic experience that demands to be seen.

Bellatrice I have always loved cartoons from the depression era when many of the studios were still located in New York. The "stretch and squeeze," morphing (and other physical impossibilities) were hallmarks of these animated films. They also reflected the times. "Snow White, Any Rags, Pots'n Pans, the Old Man of the Mountain" are works I never tire of watching. They reflect gritty street life, wishful thinking, hunger (I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today), poverty, joie de vivre and hope.This era also gave rise to many cartoon strips which served as inspiration for animated films. Max Fleisher was one of the pioneers. He created Betty Boop, Popeye, Gullivers Travels and many more. I think the movie pulled off a miracle in keeping that surreal quality. Robert Altman was the perfect director with his busy visuals and overlapping dialogue. The set design reminded me of Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas with its crazy, cartoony settings. And Shelley Duvall was brilliant as Olive Oyl!This film reflects an imagined reality far different than that of Spongebob, and unless one seeks it out, it's not that easy to find. Check out YouTube if you're curious.