1941 varied for the Popeye theatrical series, though not as much as the previous year (not a particularly strong year for Fleischer Studios to put it lightly). Popeye always has been a great character and his father Pappy is one of the series' better recurring characters, just love their chemistry whenever they're together. It is always very nice when we have a change of pace from the oft-used Popeye vs Bluto fighting for Olive formula and the best of the Popeye and Pappy outings are among the better examples.
While there were great 1941 Popeye cartoons like 'Problem Pappy' and 'Olive's Boithday Presink', 'Popeye Meets Rip Van Winkle' was a disappointment and didn't feel like a Popeye cartoon. 'Pest Pilot' is in the top middle category of the year for the series and a strong example as to why Popeye and Pappy's partnering worked so wonderfully and why there could have been more of them. This is how to do something different and do it quite well.
'Pest Pilot' isn't perfect. The story is very slight and runs out of gas momentum-wise towards the end, which could have been wilder than it was. Did feel like it could have been more consistent tonally, there are moments of genuinely amusing (if not hilarious) wildness in the verbal sparring that dominates the first half but somehow the second half was a little too gentle. Can understand where people are coming from when saying that it doesn't feel like Popeye, which tend at their best to have wild, suitably chaotic final thirds which 'Pest Pilot' doesn't quite.
Also felt that not all the animation is great, most of it is but the character animation looked rushed and the proportions were all wrong and inconsistent.
However, there is a lot that is good here in 'Pest Pilot'. Enough of the animation is expressive and beautifully detailed, primarily the background and some of the physical comedy viusals. The music, appropriately like its own character, is as beautifully orchestrated and characterful as ever. While there is nothing hilarious or original here, the gags and asides do amuse and charm. The verbal sparring between Popeye and Pappy is a joy and where 'Pest Pilot' is at its best and funniest.
Furthermore, despite being slight and in need at times of a tighter pace, especially in the second half, the story is lively in the first half (thanks to the chemistry between Popeye and Pappy) and has charm. Popeye is fun and likeable and Pappy once again is a more than worthy supporting character and doesn't make one miss Olive or Bluto too much. They have a fun chemistry together, with some smile-worthy back and forth, and both are exuberantly voiced by Jack Mercer in what is essentially a one man show.
Overall, not great but pleasant. 7/10.
