Popeye And Friends (Animated) (DVD)

Advantages: Superb casting, faithful adaptition of comic, Altman's direction
Disadvantages: Some bad songs and dubbing, overlength, an octopus

...****************************************************************** TITLE: Popeye RATING: **** CAST: Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall, Ray Walston, Paul L. Smith, Paul Dooley, Richard Libertini, Donald Moffat, MacIntyre Dixon, Roberta Maxwell, Donovan Scott, Bill Irwin, Linda Hunt, Wesley Ivan Hurt, Van Dyke Parks. DIRECTOR: Robert Altman SCREENWRITER: Jules Fieffer RUNNING TIME: 114 min STUDIO: Paramount Pictures / Walt Disney Studios RATED: PG (US) & UK (U); for comic-book style violence. DVD AVAILABILITY: 6 GBP on Amazon; ASIN # B0002ISGAG ****************************************************************** INTRODUCTION: THE LATE, GREAT ALTMAN ****************************************************************** I?m not sure how many of you heard, though last year we lost one of our finest... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Nostalgic, lightly entertaining, ahead of it's time!
Disadvantages: "I got millions'o emenies. And you is 10 or 12 of 'em!"

..., in the original strip Popeye only used the added strength he gained by eating spinach once. It wasn't until he was being promoted as an animated character that this trait was exploited to make him a compelling role model for kids. In Sweet Haven, Popeye actually overcomes his childhood aversion to this healthy veg and learns to not only enjoy it, but appreciate the life-saving strength it gives him in the face of his enemies. When all is said and done, this delightful family film actually paved the way for the many many films made since that were also based on comic book characters. It was horribly panned by critics at the time, and I could never understand why! I remember thinking, "If they're smart, someone will follow their example because there are some great films waiting to be made from comic books!" This flash of insight... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Easy watching, some good acting and great vocal performances
Disadvantages: Acting from some of the cast is a bit over-the-top

...Footlights and I suspect that the revue put on by the six friends in the film must be inspired by this) help to keep it together. It's not the best script in the world - if it was mine I'd re-edit it before letting it go into production and I'd certainly improve or explain Brian's character more - and I'd agree with anyone who thought the storyline needed development. That said, it's certainly worth a viewing - particularly for a performance of The Way You Look Tonight by the six, with Hugh Laurie playing the piano. (Those who appreciated his impressions of musical instruments in A Bit Of Fry and Laurie might well enjoy his performance.) I'm afraid this must read more like a film review than one for a DVD. I don't know if there is another version that has extra features but the one I picked up in HMV a few years ago for about £12.99 certainly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful