Have always preferred Fleischers' Popeye cartoons over those from Famous Studios, with the best period for me being the late-30s where the quality was pretty much consistently pretty good to great. Famous Studios' were all watchable but less consistent, with the later ones suffering from budget and time constraints. 'Adventures of Popeye' may not have been made in Fleischers' very best years for the series, but it does show why the early Popeyes are worth the look.
'Adventures of Popeye' is not one of the best of the whole Popeye series and there are better early Popeyes. Namely because it's a not particularly inspired one and not like what comes into people's heads when thinking of Popeye. It's basically a compilation cartoon, am going to be kinder in not calling it a cheat (have seen far worse cheater-like cartoons that actually do feel lazy whereas this was quite nostalgic and had interesting qualities).
Made up of a very simple and slight framework that ends as unsurprisingly as one can get, with clips of standout moments from four of the best early Popeye cartoons (re-dubbed). Those cartoons being 'Popeye the Sailor', 'I Eats My Spinach', 'Wild Elephinks' and 'Axe Me Another'. The framing story is visually interesting, with very well made and easily interwoven live action, and has nice chemistry between Popeye and the boy, but there's not an awful lot to it otherwise. The clips featured are quite a lot more interesting and entertaining, with all the funny and energetic moments coming from the clips.
The animation is 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. There are plenty of very amusing moments, many bouts of vibrant energy if more in the clips than the framing story and a good deal of charm.
Popeye is as amusing and likeable as ever and liked his chemistry with the cute, but not too much, boy. The appearances of Olive and Bluto, the latter always was a great double act with Popeye, are more than welcome, and although the re-dubbing is somewhat obvious it is done by the three best voice actors for Popeye (Jack Mercer in alternative to William Costello), Olive (Mae Questel, in most of the series with the odd cartoon where she was voiced by Bonnie Poe or Margie Hines, who didn't fit as well) and Bluto (Gus Wickie in alternative to William Pennell) so it is expertly done.
Summing up, won't blow the mind but a nice way to pass the time. 7/10
