Superhero Films - Ch. 16: 'Popeye'

The popular sailor man makes the leap to a live action film!
http://haphazardstuff.com/

A joint production between Paramount and Disney, 1980's 'Popeye' would bring to life E.C. Segar's famous comic strip characters with Robert Altman steering things along'. The big-budget musical/comedy would star Shelley Duvall, Paul Dooley, Ray Walston and that popular television star Robin Williams. Would it live up to the high expectations of being the blockbuster everyone thought it would be? Glossing over the debate whether Popeye should be categorized as a superhero or not, I decide to unravel the mystery and confusion regarding this bizarre, notorious film.

*Special thanks to the talented Julian for his kick ass version of the Popeye theme (The Sailor's Hornpipe) used during the opening montage. Be sure to check out his stuff! You'll be glad you did!
http://www.youtube.com/user/PetrucciFever

Warning: Spoilers Ahead! Even though the film is over thirty years old I thought I would mention it just in case. As usual this project turned out to be much longer and involved than I initially planned. Normally there would have been some major cuts made, but with YouTube now allowing me unlimited time limits I thought -- I would take my time, not worry about the length and see how it goes.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Popeye
• Robert
• Altman
• Robin
• Williams
• Shelley
• Duvall
• Paul
• Dooley
• Ray
• Walston
• Harry
• Nilsson
• Evans
• movie
• film
• reveiw
• cartoon
• adaptation
• E.C.
• Segar
• Thimble
• Theater
• superhero
• comic
• strip
• musical
• comedy
• Malta
• Max
• Fleischer
• spinach

[amaxamon]

I love this movie. It lacks an ending and could have used a much stronger directorial hand, but overall, it really faithfully represents E.C. Segar's original strip. The opening sequence is an extraordinary evocation of early American comic strips & cartoons. And the Harry Nilsson score is truly beautiful & fitting.

[kc86er]

If Eugene the Jeep had been in the movie, they probably would have used a trained genet (with a red bow around its neck). I think a genet would have worked, since it closely resembles the jeep's design.

[longfootbuddy]

i always enjoyed popeye movie, but it was oddly done, some ways good, some bad.. id still recommend seeing it though, it couldve been much worse

[AMOVIEGUY14]

7:43 Popeye "OH SHIT!"

[TheUnderdwellers]

Good review of this underrated classic, spot on with everything. I always thought Bud Spencer would have been a good Bluto.

[ThieflyChap]

Personally, I've always liked this film, even to this day. It's just pure entertainment, and works just fine in that regard.

[redbaron932]

another good review look forward to the next one brother

[MrColuber]

I'm sorry to say this, but I have to correct you with regards to Popeye's introduction in Thimble theater. He didn't mistake himself for a cowboy, he was being snide. Castor Oyl had asked him if he was a sailor (which was obvious); Popeye answered in kind (translated: what captain obvious, you thought I was a friggin cowboy?)

[JBRAVOS]

I grew up on Popeye & when i saw this film on HBO .....It was just weird Although Shelly Duvall was a perfect Olive Oil The rest of the film was just bad & my thing as a kid seeing this was....Why did Popeye have hair??

[LeastLikedCritic75]

agreed, there should have been a more epic battle between popeye and bluto