Of all the live action movies that I was allowed to watch as a child, this one probably “weirded” me out the most.

I really can’t explain why.  It wasn’t violent.  It wasn’t creepy.  It was an interesting musical, and it was quite humorous.

I don’t know why, but it was just weird to me.

I did, still, decide to watch it more than once.

Thinking about back then, there was a lot of the plot that I missed for a couple of reasons.  1) I remember my parents laughing at things that I did not understand to be funny (I was freaking 4…5 at the most). 2) The make up, costumes, and sets were so well done, that I felt I was watching the cartoon come to life.

Looking back, I’m amazed at how wonderful the then young lead was at portraying a pop culture icon.  The leading lady was perfect casting too, as well as the blistering antagonist (who was so good, quite frankly he scared me a little…a lot).

Again, I know I sound like I’m writing about a movie that I kind of don’t like.  On the contrary, I watched it later and found it much more amusing (I actually got the jokes–however corny they were).

Now that I think about it, for the “look” of it and the acting…”Popeye” arguably is one of the best cast movies of all time.  Can you picture anyone other than the Robin Williams as Popeye and the underrated Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl?

Me either…

I watched this movie before I ever watched a Popeye cartoon…I’m glad I did.  It made the cartoon (kind of a snooze) more interesting.

It wasn’t the first live action movie I ever saw, but for some reason, visuals from it resonate with me to this day unlike any other movie

Watching Popeye get “rolled” down a hill by Bluto is something I couldn’t forget if I wanted to.

Wimpy with his burgers and Poopdeck Pappy tied up in a chair is another.

I remember being entertained and confused at the same time…some of the dialogue is very challenging to understand/hear as Popeye tends to mumble a lot.  That is not a slight on Williams, it’s a backhanded compliment.  After I watched a few Popeye cartoons…I thought he sounded more like Popeye than Popeye…wait, what?

In the end, I feel it is a great family musical/comedy with a lot of laughs and a little bit of horror for small children…Paul L. Smith is quite haunting as Bluto and there is quite a suspenseful scene involving a child and some…tentacles.

I’m glad I got to see it…

…I think.

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