1953's 'Fireman's Brawl' is another one of the Popeye series' colour remakes (some shot for shot, others semi) that Famous Studios did of various Popeye cartoons from Fleischer Studios in the series' early years. In this case, the cartoon it is remade from is 1934's 'The Two Alarm Fire', not one of the best of the series but still very good. The colour remakes of the Popeye series did vary in quality, some were good if not quite having the same impact as their originals but others felt unnecessary and tired.
'Fireman's Brawl' leans towards the former quality, but it is completely understandable as to why people would question the point of its existence. On its own though without comparing it to the superior 'The Two Alarm Fire', 'Fireman's Brawl' is pretty decent and as far as the hit and miss 1950s cartoons go it's in the high middle category in my view and doesn't have as big a problem as other Popeye colour remakes of the material that felt fresh in the originals feeling less than fresh in the remakes.
By all means, 'Fireman's Brawl' is a long way from perfect. The story is formulaic and could have benefitted from more variety, with not quite enough done to make it a separate story from before, and a tighter pace (or at least a consistently so one).
Like much of the 50s output, the animation is not always consistent in quality. Most of it is well above average with vibrant colour and nice attention to detail, the flames are well done. Some of the drawing is a bit rough and rushed-looking though. While the material isn't overly predictable or repetitive, again more variety would have been more welcome.
Absolutely love the chemistry though between Popeye, Bluto and Olive and all three are true to character and fun to watch individually and in interaction. Olive is underused and underwritten a lot, it was good to see her have more of a presence and focus while not overdoing any negative character traits or showing any of her actions in a negative light (like 'Wimmin Hadn't Oughta Drive' did for example). While the gags are never hilarious and is at times with a somewhat rehashed feel, there are plenty and they are all and well timed, as well as with enough wit.
While the pace is not always consistent, the final third is exciting and is not a case of the cartoon running out of steam despite the ending being obvious very early on. The voice acting is great, and this is an aspect that for me was always an improvement in the colour remakes. Enough of the animation is good. Best of all is the music score, it's beautifully orchestrated, rhythmically it's full of energy and there is so much character and atmosphere, it's also brilliant at adding to the action and enhancing it in particularly the final third.
In conclusion, entertaining enough if not great. 7/10.
