Gems, and also very good cartoons, from Fleischer Studios were many and have always much preferred their output as far as Popeye cartoons go over that for Famous Studios, though the latter's output was far from bad at all (just not as funny or as consistent). The stories were very thin and samey, but the cartoons, and the series in general actually, were mostly very charming and funny, well animated, scored and voiced.
'I Yam Love Sick' is almost one of the best Popeye cartoons to me. It is extremely well done and never less than very funny, its best parts being hilarious. Speaking as someone who has always enjoyed many of the Popeye cartoons a good deal and liked Popeye very much, Fleischer's efforts were always well animated and scored with lots of entertainment value and great chemistry between the characters. So much is great here and that 'I Yam Love Sick' makes something amusing and charming out of a premise that sounds mean-spirited on paper is a credit.
The first half is better than the second in my view, the funny stuff mostly happens early on whereas the cartoon gets slightly too cute towards the end.
Did appreciate though that Olive is not underused this time and love her sweet chemistry with Popeye, one can see what Popeye sees in her and the lengths he goes through here to win her over. Popeye has always been the more interesting and funnier character and his comic timing and likeability has not been lost, don't worry too his behaviour here is nowhere near as cruel as one might fear reading any summary for the story. Loved Jack Mercer's, relishing as ever the asides and Popeye's mumbling, and Mae Questel's (the only voice for Olive to do anything for me and there is a reason as to why she is the most prolific one) voice work.
Have never had an issue with the animation in the Fleischer period (it was more variable with Famous Studios), beautifully drawn and with enough visual detail to not make it cluttered or static and lively and smooth movement. The music is also outstanding, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish. Fleischer's direction is always accomplished and his style is all over it. It's a very funny cartoon too, gags are plenty and all of them hit the mark. The death bed and operating table parts are riotous.
Overall, great. 9/10
