DVD Review HTF REVIEW: "Popeye" (1 Viewer)

[RobertR]

I think Stuart's review of the film is spot on. Once we saw the cartoon "look" put on film, it had nothing to say.

 

[PeterKelly]

great review , dont think i'll be getting this one.

heres a tip: when you write your reviews, you should use a sans serif font. its easier to read on screens.

 

[Dylan Davis]

Garry Dee wrote

"You don't get memories like that with the Matrix or X2, however awesome those movies are."

I totally agree. This movie is great, and while Stuart has excellent review skills, I disagree with alot of the negative aspects of his review... Only 20 minutes is good? what about the horse race scene or when they find Sweet Pea? ("I'm a baby" "I know you are, It says so right here") Wonderful film!!!!!!

I only wish there were more bonus features.

Dylan

 

[Chris James]

Produced at a time when stereo sound was still making a comeback in movie houses, Popeye features a surprisingly robust, modern soundtrack. The 5.1 and Dolby Surround mixes for the DVD were, presumably, derived from those originally created for the 70mm blow-up version.

Nice review Stuart, but I have one question for you. Is it possible to get more indepth review on the movie soundtracks? I've read all your reviews so far, and this is the most detailed you have gotten. Sound is 50% of the movie experience, so detailed analysis of the quality/depth/bass response....LFE/use of surrounds/etc of the mixes would be greatly appreciated. To give you an idea, here are some snippets of Ron's sound reviews:

"The mono sound is very clear, although I had to
add a bit of volume to my receiver to bring the
sound up to proper level. There's a slight hint
of background hiss, but unless you really listen
for it, you wouldn't know it exists." - Sunset Boulevard (1950)

"Though the film features a brand-new 5.1 Dolby
Digital soundtrack, the results aren't necessarily
ground breaking. Though this film may not have the
dynamic range of modern releases, audio comes across
very clean, without distortion and with well
integrated dialogue that sits firmly in the center
channel. There is exceptional stereo separation
across the front channels. As for the rears? Well,
it seems that Disney opted to extend audio to the
rear channels mostly for its most impressive visual
sequences. Highlights include Captain Nemo playing
Toccata and Fugue D Minor on the organ as
well as the film's climatic explosions. Now and
then you'll hear the film score creeping into the
rears as well. What is most impressive here is the
.LFE response to the engine hums of the Nautilus
craft where bass was deep enough to feel vibration
beneath me." - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

" As I usually
expect from most DTS tracks, the sound has a very
spacial quality to it -- not sounding the least
compressed. This is one hell of an aggressive mix
with sound that is extremely accurate and detailed.
The rear channels are nearly always active throughout,
and there's tremendous LFE channel support that adds
booming floor-shaking response. This is one of the
strongest sounding LFE tracks in memory -- so strong
in fact that I was very concerned about blowing out
my subwoofer." - Lord of the Rings (2001)

 

[Jeff Jacobson]

I think the bad reputation it acquired over the years was due to a couple of things. . .

I would have liked to have seen a documentary about that.

 

[DeathStar1]

In that case, I'm waiting for 'Popeye', the E! True Hollywood story, in response to an earlier post .

BTW, are the Bluto swimming credits looped, or an eye trick? Bluto reaches a point in the center, and never seems to move .

 

[FrankT]

Well Chris I do not think we will be getting detailed audio reviews. Here is a quote from Stuart in the "Welcome" thread...

I'm no expert when it comes to high-end audio. I've jerry-rigged my home systems in the past for basic surround, but that's it. THX, DTS, etc., are certainly a nice things to have, but I'm content for now just having a big widescreen image.

Other then that I really like reading the reviews. Very well done.

 

[HowieG]

Very nice review Stuart, Thank you...

I think it's neat that it was Altman's biggest money maker (I think he hated it - he,he). I will certainly be picking this one up as it has always fascinated me.

According to the list of 70mm releases in Widescreen Reviews "2001 Ultimate Widescreen Review DVD Movie Guide" Popeye never received a 70mm theatrical release.

Well, I believe I saw it in 70mm 6-track sound in 1980. But then, I also saw "Altered States" that way and I think I even saw "Casino Royale" and "Goldfinger" in multi-track stereo as well (most think all those early Bond films were strickly mono). Are all those titles in that guide?

Surely they can't have every 70mm title listed in that guide, even IMDb doesn't get it right some of the time...

 

[Colin Jacobson]

I don't want to get in a dispute with you, Stuart, but this film definetly did not have the reputation of a "disaster" when it opened.

Just going on memory here, but I DO recall it being regarded very poorly at the time of its release. Actually, I always thought it earned some fanbase over the years - kids saw it on TV and video later and liked it. As I remember, the critics disliked it and the audiences were decent but not great at the time - I don't remember its original reception as being anything better than tepid, if that...

 

[Phil Dally]

(muttering) ..."course I named 'im Swee'pea. What would you call 'im, Baby Oyl?"

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!
Can't wait!

 

[Christian Preischl]

Yeah, I read a couple of reviews, and critics mostly hated it. Surprisingly enough though, Roger Ebert gave it 3 1/2 stars.

Can't wait to finally see the US cut of this film. (Disney, who distributed the film overseas, chopped out a good 15 min.)

Chris

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Well, I believe I saw it in 70mm 6-track sound in 1980. But then, I also saw "Altered States" that way and I think I even saw "Casino Royale" and "Goldfinger" in multi-track stereo as well (most think all those early Bond films were strickly mono). Are all those titles in that guide?

Th www.in70mm.com page also does not list Popeye as a 70mm blow-up. Casino Royale had a 70mm engagement in Australia, US release is unconfirmed. Goldfinger was not shown in 70mm. "Multi-track stereo" was not confined to 70mm films at that time, so you probably saw 35mm magnetic stereo prints (though I've never heard of a Goldfinger mag print, Thunderball was issued in mag, however.). Altered States was blown-up to 70mm and presented in "MegaSound".

 

[Tino]

Talk about nostalgia! I loved POPEYE so much as a 17 year old, that immediately upon leaving the Loews Jersey (), I went next door and bought the LP soundtrack, which I have in front of me right now.

And in an act of early geekdom, I cut out the ad in that weeks paper which had quotes from reviewers.

Here they are, 23 years later:

"The most unusual and daring picture made in Hollywood in many decades-A completely unique departure from any film in recent memory-Like no major motion picture ever produced" Vernon Scott, UPI

"The most magical and original film of the year!"
Bernard Drew...GANNETT PRESS

"In POPEYE, Miss Duvall is one of the uexpected treasures-POPEYE has other unexpected joys, including the fact that unlike most movies, it gets better and better as it goes along."
Vincent Canby..NY TIMES

"POPEYE is an entertainment for all ages-an experience quite unlike anything you have ever seen before."
Rex Reed..NY DAILY NEWS

"It is marvelously surprising-and a terrific film."
Roger Ebert..CHICAGO SUN TIMES

"The most brilliantly bizarre comedy that I have seen in years. There has never been anything like it before and there may never be anything like it again-It's amazing film making."
Richard Eden..MINNEAPOLIS STAR

"One of the most original works of film art ever to hit the big screen- a masterpiece for young and old."
Christopher Hicks..DETROIT NEWS

I think I'll be picking this one up!

 

[Joel Vardy]

"The most unusual and daring picture made in Hollywood in many decades-A completely unique departure from any film in recent memory-Like no major motion picture ever produced" Vernon Scott, UPI

"The most magical and original film of the year!"
Bernard Drew...GANNETT PRESS

"In POPEYE, Miss Duvall is one of the uexpected treasures-POPEYE has other unexpected joys, including the fact that unlike most movies, it gets better and better as it goes along."
Vincent Canby..NY TIMES

It is interesting how time distorts our memories. I also have forgotten the actual reviews and have heard nothing but 'disaster' stories referred to this film over the years. Maybe because Altman and Williams didn't like it...(or was Williams just embarassed by the relatively 'negative press'?). Fortunately, my personal memories are nothing but positive and whenever I see it I recover some of the positive emotions from my first viewing. One of the most anticipated (though second tier) titles to hit DVD for me since I started collecting early in '98.

Joel

 

[Steve Spin]

Hello Stuart,
Now let's see if I can cover everything...
I saw Popeye when I was ten.
I thought Mr. Williams did a fantastic jobe...or is it job?
I didn't see it in 70mm. (Hell, at ten I was lucky if I knew it was in Stereo!)
I was never a big fan of the original Segar comics...I never even seen them until Starlog Magazine did an article on them.
I liked the Fleischer cartoon when I was younger. I was always more of a Bugs Bunny/Fred Flintstone type of kid.
Now for me...
It's probably one the few musicals I enjoy.
In one weekend I saw Popeye, Flash Gordon, Spacehunter, and Parasite. It was right around the re-emergence of 3D. (And Yes I also love Flash Gordon!)
This is a Great film. The casting is Dead-On! Do you even know anybody who sees Ms. Duvall on TV or a Movie and does not yell out "O Olive Oyl!!!"
This movie opened up the 2nd wave of Hollywood Blockbusters.
1980-1981 being my favorite time for movies!
The first wave was Star Wars, Superman, Close Encounters, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
The 2nd wave: American Werewolf in London
Blade Runner
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Empire Strikes Back
ST2: The Wrath Of Kahn
Bond: For Your Eyes Only
E.T.
Clash Of The Titans
Escape From New York
Thing
Superman 2
Tron
Poltergeist
Time Bandits
Heavy Metal
Outland
Just to name a few!
I know this movie is not good for everybody. (Or as Mr. Williams says, "Popeye isn't good for anybody, who are you kidding!") I think it's a lot better than some of the crap that we get now.

Finally...Stuart I think you doing a fine job!
Don't worry about this "bunch", your like the new Darin on Bewitched. It will take a while but we will come around!
Steve

 

[Mark Booth]

Anxiously looking forward to this DVD! My wife is even more excited. After all, Swee'Pea (Wesley Ivan Hurt) is her second cousin. She plans to skip a class she has on June 24 just so we can sit down with a bowl of popcorn and enjoy this delightful movie.

The casting for this movie was spot on. Williams makes a superb Popeye. Ditto for Duval as Miss Oyl and the for the rest of the cast!

Trivia: Wesley Ivan Hurt (Swee'Pea) is Robert Altman's grandson, born to Altman's first daughter, Christine.

Mark

 

[Jason Walstrom]

I remember well when my mother dropped me and my two sisters of at the local movie house to see the wonderful cartoon Popeye brought to life on the big screen, you see back then we would spend a day watching the movie at least four times while my Mom and Aunt(sometimes our cousins were with us.) would be abandoned to see a movie all day long. At times great memories.(Dragon slayer, gremlins, ET, Flash Gordon) and other times a living nightmare, watching the rancid popeye over and over and over listening to the god awful songs repeatedly. It was like somekind of Anthony Burgess clockwork torture. I hate this film with a passion and think that it is a piece of garbage. I am glad other people can enjoy it. It's not for kids at all, what is this some kind of essay on the depression and blah blah blah.

 

[Tino]

The review for POPEYE is up at www.dvdfile.com and the reviewer pretty much agrees with Stuart, however he states that the list price is $14.95. Anyone know for sure how much this will be?
*EDIT*
I just performed a price search and apparently the list price IS $19.95 as stated in this thread. and the DVD File info is incorrect. Still it will probably be on sale at most places for $14.95 anyway!

 

[Scott Weinberg]

1. GREAT review, Stuart. Much like many of these nostalgia-ridden Popeye-faithful, I simply adore this movie. Though somewhat critical, you were completely fair to the movie in every way. Thanks for that.

2. Tino: THANK YOU for posting those blurbs! How nice it was to see some enthusiasm for a beloved movie that's taken so much abuse over the years.

The flick's definitely odd and weird and misshapen in some spots, and I could absolutely see why people would not like it - but it's always irked me to see the movie treated so shabbily all these years. (Another one I'll defend to the grave is Spielberg's 1941 but that's a soapbox for another thread.)

This is one of the year's biggest pickups for me by far. I haven't been this excited for a nostalgia pick since Uni gave us the Legend SE. It's a tad annoying that there are no featurettes or a commentary to look forward to, but why complain about no icing when all you really want is the cake?

 

[Xenia Stathakopoulou]

Well guys, after reading Stuarts review, and other reviews on the net for popeye the movie dvd, im happy to say all the reviewers have agreed the transfer is fantastic. The only reason im bringing this up is since the dvd format began in the late 90s, for some reason i thought when this movie would hit dvd that it wouldnt look that good. So this is welcomed.