Fleischer's Popeye cartoons tended to be funnier, more imaginative and better made, Famous Studios' on the most part entertained though their later Popeye, and overall filmography actually, cartoons had tighter deadlines and lower budgets evident which accounted for the animation not being as good, less surprises and the material not as imaginative. Speaking as someone who likes the character himself and many of his cartoons.
'Pop-Pie a La Mode' didn't do it for me though. Don't consider it a terrible cartoon, but also don't find it a particularly good one and it is not, and never has been, a cartoon that will be universally loved. Pretty controversial actually. Some may appreciate it, but more people will find one particular component that will repel them. Am not trying to be uptight and sorry if it comes across that way. For me, and it's not just for that particular component (though it is the main reason), 'Pop-Pie a La Mode' is one of the weaker Famous Studios Popeye cartoons and towards the weaker end overall, actually enjoyed most of the Popeye cartoons made during the war but this is one of the few exceptions.
Will start with the good points and they are there. The animation is still of good quality. Expectedly, the backgrounds have lost none of the meticulous attention to detail, it's fluid, Popeye still looks good and is recognisable in design and the colours are wonderfully vibrant, which really does make the setting come alive. Love the music just as much, it is the highly characterful and lush music score, that fits seamlessly and enhances the action. Popeye is amusing and likeable still and Jack Mercer doesn't disappoint with the voice acting.
There are a few amusing moments but they come too far and between.
However, 'Pop-Pie a La Mode' is mostly not particularly funny and don't think actually that there are enough gags. Do think that there could have been more energy as the timing is not as tight as it ought to have been. The story doesn't really come to life and is very predictable when there isn't much of one.
Although it is nice to have a change of pace, there is no real conflict (not much that evokes much fun or tension) and it lacks characters that have particularly compelling personalities that contrast well with Popeye. Do not always miss Bluto when he doesn't appear, though it is dependent on how the supporting character that replaces him fares. He is here. What spoils 'Pop-Pie a La Mode' badly is the representation of the cannibals, really try when there are stereotypes in cartoons to judge it fairly and as a product of its time and have not always been offended by stereotypes but again it's dependent on the material. Here political incorrectness really rears its ugly head in one of the most unflattering and hard not to be repelled by portrayals of cannibals/racial stereotypes in cartoon history. Couldn't forgive or excuse it either because their material is so weak and there is just no chemistry between them and Popeye.
Summarising, didn't do much for me but didn't hate it. 5/10
'Pop-Pie a La Mode' didn't do it for me though. Don't consider it a terrible cartoon, but also don't find it a particularly good one and it is not, and never has been, a cartoon that will be universally loved. Pretty controversial actually. Some may appreciate it, but more people will find one particular component that will repel them. Am not trying to be uptight and sorry if it comes across that way. For me, and it's not just for that particular component (though it is the main reason), 'Pop-Pie a La Mode' is one of the weaker Famous Studios Popeye cartoons and towards the weaker end overall, actually enjoyed most of the Popeye cartoons made during the war but this is one of the few exceptions.
Will start with the good points and they are there. The animation is still of good quality. Expectedly, the backgrounds have lost none of the meticulous attention to detail, it's fluid, Popeye still looks good and is recognisable in design and the colours are wonderfully vibrant, which really does make the setting come alive. Love the music just as much, it is the highly characterful and lush music score, that fits seamlessly and enhances the action. Popeye is amusing and likeable still and Jack Mercer doesn't disappoint with the voice acting.
There are a few amusing moments but they come too far and between.
However, 'Pop-Pie a La Mode' is mostly not particularly funny and don't think actually that there are enough gags. Do think that there could have been more energy as the timing is not as tight as it ought to have been. The story doesn't really come to life and is very predictable when there isn't much of one.
Although it is nice to have a change of pace, there is no real conflict (not much that evokes much fun or tension) and it lacks characters that have particularly compelling personalities that contrast well with Popeye. Do not always miss Bluto when he doesn't appear, though it is dependent on how the supporting character that replaces him fares. He is here. What spoils 'Pop-Pie a La Mode' badly is the representation of the cannibals, really try when there are stereotypes in cartoons to judge it fairly and as a product of its time and have not always been offended by stereotypes but again it's dependent on the material. Here political incorrectness really rears its ugly head in one of the most unflattering and hard not to be repelled by portrayals of cannibals/racial stereotypes in cartoon history. Couldn't forgive or excuse it either because their material is so weak and there is just no chemistry between them and Popeye.
Summarising, didn't do much for me but didn't hate it. 5/10
