Fleischer's Popeye cartoons tended to be funnier, more imaginative and better made, Famous Studios' on the most part entertained though their later Popeye, and overall filmography actually, cartoons had tighter deadlines and lower budgets evident which accounted for the animation not being as good, less surprises and the material not as imaginative. Speaking as someone who likes the character himself and many of his cartoons.
Up to this point, 1948 was not the most impressive of years for the series. While still well made, scored and voice and Popeye is always fun to watch, a tired and running out of ideas feel was starting to emerge. Luckily though this was not a feeling that was present in all of the cartoons. It is not particularly present in 'Pre-Hysterical Man' either, to me among the better 1948 Popeye cartoons. There may not be much new story-wise, but the gags are funnier and fresher than those in the previous 1948 cartoons and it makes good use of the prehistoric setting.
Like quite a number of the Popeye cartoons, Olive has little to do and what she has is not particularly strong. The other three characters make a much bigger impression.
Pacing is not always perfect either, the first portion a touch slow and not hugely interesting compared to the rest of the cartoon. One predicts the ending with certainty and correctly very early on, if you are familiar with most of the Popeye series and know how they end you'll know how this does as it is essentially the same but in a different setting.
On the other hand, the animation is very nicely done. Very colourful, meticulous in background detaill, the fluidity in drawing and movement having gotten smoother all the time and the expressions freer. The prehistoric setting is vividly done and far from wasted, it actually looked like the whole crew were having a lot of fun with it, and Popeye's expressions and body movements are as ever a joy. As is the music score from regular Famous Studios composer Winston Sharples, always one of the best done components of their cartoons and even the best thing in some. The playful character, how dynamic it is with everything and the beautiful orchestration make it one of 'Pre-Hysterical Man's' strongest assets.
There are more gags here than in the previous 1948 Popeye cartoons, and they didn't feel tired and are funny. Also liked that bit when Popeye beats up the dinosaur and its consequences. The final third has the wild energy that the previous 1948 cartoons just missed out on having. The story may not have much new but uses the setting well and mostly is lively. Popeye is an amusing and likeable character while the caveman excels just as much in the comic timing and in being a menacing enough adversary. The dinosaur is also a scene stealer and love the chemistry between all the characters. Giving Olive more to do and something of note would have made the characterisation spot on. There are no problems to be had with Jack Mercer's voice acting or how he uniquely delivers those asides and Popeye's lines, by far Popeye's definitive voice actor.
In summation, pretty enjoyable though there are better cartoons in the series in Famous Studios' output and overall too. 7/10
