Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Nothing interests filmmaker Robert Altman more than a contained culture that mixes bare humanity with local eccentricity (think of his M*A*S*H and Nashville). So Altman's Popeye (1980), based on the old comic strip, works best as a portrait of a busy, cluttered, cartoonish town called Sweethaven. But it is much less successful as a comprehensible story about the famous sailor with massive forearms and a relationship with Olive Oyl (Shelley Duvall). Robin Williams plays Popeye with his usual brilliance for mimicry, Paul Dooley makes a credible Wimpy, and Paul L. Smith makes an impression as the oversized bully, Bluto. But this strange, disastrous film never becomes more than an expensive workshop airing out Altmanesque themes.-- Tom Keogh
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I grew up with this movie in the USA, it has always been one of my favourites. BUT BE WARNED, this UK version is missing two or three songs and scenes compared to the US version. The product description says 113 minutes, but the back of the DVD box says 97 minutes. I would give this five stars if it was not so edited! Buy the region 1 American version if you want to see this film in its full glory!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I enjoy watching this film when it comes my way. Robin Williams probably won't be remembered for his role as Popeye; yet he turns in a fine performance. Bringing to life an animated character, he gives us a terrific performance in the title role. He is completely convincing even with his big realistic brawny forearms, trademark of his character. Mr. Williams ironically takes a subtle approach on his characterization of Popeye, relying less on his all out persona and focusing instead in the parental sweetness of his character when dealing with his new found son Sweet Pea and in relating romantically with Olive Oyl. Which leads us to talk about Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl. Basically she was born to have this role. Duvall brings the perfect blend of goofiness and even dignity to the role. When on screen is very hard not to take away your eyes from her. One of the highlights of the film is when she sings all by herself on a moonlit pier the silly ditty "He Needs Me" and the movie soars with a whimsical understated charm that is both memorable and wonderful.
The movie also accomplishes wonderful nutty moments and does an amazing job of capturing the spirit of a live action cartoon without thankfully the need of any CGI effects. Much credit should be given to the work of Wolf Kroeger, the production designer, who has come up with a spectacular physical universe. His Sweethaven set, built on location on the island of Malta consists of a detailed and atmospheric fishing village where streets run at crazy angles and all the buildings lean together dangerously on the coast side. The music score by the late Harry Nilsson is weaved in into the plot without appearing forced and although there are no obvious show stoppers there are a few clever melodies, most memorable the already mentioned "He Needs Me", "Food, Food, Food" and the opening anthem "Sweet haven" in which a gloomy sarcasm must be noted.
Popeye is a mix bag of wacky elements that suffers from some uneven pacing but at times it is gloriously weird, visually spectacular and brimming with intelligence. I recommend it to those who enjoy unpredictable and unusual entertainment that's not neatly package in a square box. To me that kind of packaging sometimes have the best surprises.
The movie also accomplishes wonderful nutty moments and does an amazing job of capturing the spirit of a live action cartoon without thankfully the need of any CGI effects. Much credit should be given to the work of Wolf Kroeger, the production designer, who has come up with a spectacular physical universe. His Sweethaven set, built on location on the island of Malta consists of a detailed and atmospheric fishing village where streets run at crazy angles and all the buildings lean together dangerously on the coast side. The music score by the late Harry Nilsson is weaved in into the plot without appearing forced and although there are no obvious show stoppers there are a few clever melodies, most memorable the already mentioned "He Needs Me", "Food, Food, Food" and the opening anthem "Sweet haven" in which a gloomy sarcasm must be noted.
Popeye is a mix bag of wacky elements that suffers from some uneven pacing but at times it is gloriously weird, visually spectacular and brimming with intelligence. I recommend it to those who enjoy unpredictable and unusual entertainment that's not neatly package in a square box. To me that kind of packaging sometimes have the best surprises.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This realisation by the Disney Company of an old animated favourite didn't do well at the box office. As a previous reviewer has noted, however, the film repays subsequent viewing with a wealth of detail that might well be missed the first time.
Disney have always enjoyed inserting 'homages' to their previous work but Popeye itself is referenced by their immensely successful Pirates Of The Caribbean - The Curse Of The Black Pearl - 1 disc [2003]. Robin Williams' initial appearance in the film is as Popeye in a small boat, which barely makes it to the pier. Upon climbing on to the pier, he's charged a mooring fee - the same fee as Sparrow is charged on an almost identical first appearance in POTC.
That apart, Popeye is well worth seeing, since the entire production is one of the quirkiest, oddest and musically deranged offerings ever made by the Disney company. Shelley Duvall's portrayal of Olive Oyl itself is worth the money, but the film is a must for anyone old enough to have enjoyed the animated features.
Disney have always enjoyed inserting 'homages' to their previous work but Popeye itself is referenced by their immensely successful Pirates Of The Caribbean - The Curse Of The Black Pearl - 1 disc [2003]. Robin Williams' initial appearance in the film is as Popeye in a small boat, which barely makes it to the pier. Upon climbing on to the pier, he's charged a mooring fee - the same fee as Sparrow is charged on an almost identical first appearance in POTC.
That apart, Popeye is well worth seeing, since the entire production is one of the quirkiest, oddest and musically deranged offerings ever made by the Disney company. Shelley Duvall's portrayal of Olive Oyl itself is worth the money, but the film is a must for anyone old enough to have enjoyed the animated features.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
funny movie
I like the funny movie with robin williams. Seller was very quickly sending it in very good condition.
Go to Malta and see the set on your own.
Go to Malta and see the set on your own.
Published 20 hours ago by holland seller
A film that could have been a classic
Robin Williams was and is a natural choice for the role of Popeye, although the film is let down by a rather rushed feeling to it.
Published 2 months ago by S. Carey
Popeye Film!!
This DVD is a great reminder if you have visited the Sweethaven village in Malta where the film was made. The film set is exactly the same as it is in the film.
Published 2 months ago by magicbird
popeye dvd
As a DVD in perfect condition delivered quickly for a good price . As a film brought back memories of holiday to Malta and Popeye Village film set , but .....
beyond that .... Read more
beyond that .... Read more
Published 4 months ago by henry
Popeye - the movie
This film is not a hollywood blockbuster, neither is it some arthouse short. It is an enjoyable family film that is surreal in some places, enjoyable in some places and watchable... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Shady
Always amusing!
My 8 years old son managed to watch the movie 3 times in one weekend, scrolling laughing and he is sharing his favourite moments with everybody in the house. Amazing!
Published 7 months ago by Anita
popeye dvd
i only saw this breifly when i was young so i jumped at the chance to get this for my younger brother and he loved it as much as i did
Published 12 months ago by jaimes moran
Popeye
Hello,
I have enjoyed the 'Popeye' DVD, I bought it because, on a recent visit to my daughter, who lives in Malta, she took us to the 'Popeye Village', and showed us the set... Read more
I have enjoyed the 'Popeye' DVD, I bought it because, on a recent visit to my daughter, who lives in Malta, she took us to the 'Popeye Village', and showed us the set... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Helen
Under rated
Popeye must be one of the most under rated films of all time. Often much maligned. Critics seem to fall into one of two camps, they either love it, or hate it. Read more
Published 19 months ago by M. Crombleholme
A lot of fun, worth seeing, but promised even more...
A lot of fun, with Shelly Duvall a flat out fabulous Olive Oyle, Robin Williams, excellent as Popeye, Paul Dooley a great Wimpy who steals almost every scene he's in and good old... Read more
Published 21 months ago by K. Gordon
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
