Review: 'Popeye' is Notable But Uneven
Conventional wisdom would state that if you put a group of brilliant artist into a room, and ask them to collaborate on a painting, you should end up with a kind of a masterpiece. If that were true, "Popeye" should be one of the greatest movies ever made.
Directed by Robert Altman, produced by Robert Evans, with a screenplay by Jules Feiffer and starring Robin Williams, add to this a successful movie composer, Harry Nilsson, and a proven property—the "Popeye" brand was a popular comic strip and cartoon for well over 50 years before this movie was made—this movie should be amazing. I don't think anyone would argue that. Rather it's like getting Tolstoy and Ziegfeld to craft a musical adaptation of "Superman" (or Julie Taymor and Bono & The Edge to collaborate on version of "Spider-Man" for that matter); a recipe for a disaster. The end product is wildly uneven but notable.
"Popeye" incorporates Altman's characteristic multiple points of view and non-liner storytelling with Feiffer's sardonic humor and William's manic improvisations to tell the story of an oddly-shaped, super-powerful sailor. Popeye (Williams) drifts into an eccentric town and battles with its provincial ignorance, eventually falling in love with Olive Oyl (a character thoroughly embodied by Shelley Duvall). The rough and tough sailor ends up adopting an abandon child, and this experience bonds him even more tightly to his own father (Ray Walston). An incredible group of film artisans have worked together on this project, and numerous mimes, athletes and street performers have teamed up to create a live-action cartoon world.
Very small children will appreciate the colors and exaggerated performances of this film. They may even enjoy some of the music. But adults and film historians will appreciate the special features. There are a number of intriguing interviews and behind-the-scene remebrances included on this Blu-ray. Robin Williams talks about this film in one of his final interviews. Robert Altman evaluates the movie in detail; he discusses the problems he had producing it and he speaks frankly about what he feels are the film's successes and failures. And Altman's son Stephen (the prop master) talks about working with Williams and his father.
Strangely enough, with all the talent in the room, the real joy of this film is the least experienced actor. The facial expressions of the baby, Swee'Pea, are thoroughly charming—played by none other than Altman's grandson.
"Popeye" arrived on Blu-ray for the first time ever December 1.