Popeye

Name: Popeye
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Family, Musical
Released: December 12, 1980
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall

1980

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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Popeye

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 12, 1980 | PG

Starring: Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall

Summary: The cartoon comes to the big screen as mysterious Popeye the Sailorman docks in Sweethaven where he falls for Olive Oyl, fights with Bluto and becomes a mama to "infankt" Sweetpea.

Director: Robert Altman

Genre(s): Comedy, Romance, Family, Musical

Rating: PG

Runtime: 114 min

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Critic Reviews

Time Out London Geoff Andrew

With Williams giving a virtuoso fast-mumbling performance as the hero, and gags ranging from expertly choreographed slapstick to subtle verbal infelicities (Popeye muttering about 'venerable disease'), it is far too sophisticated to function merely as kids' fodder. Often, watching the actors contorting themselves into non-human shapes, you wonder how on earth Altman did it; equally often, you feel you are watching a wacky masterpiece, the like of which you've never seen before. Read full review

Gene Siskel

A charming, adult-oriented saga of the famous cartoon character that comes alive only when Popeye finds his baby, Swee'pea. [19 Dec 1980, p.10]

Roger Ebert

It's clear that this movie has an affection for Popeye, and so much regard for the sailor man that it even bothers to reveal the real truth about his opinion of spinach. Read full review

Pauline Kael

The picture doesn't come together and much of it is cluttered, squawky, and eerily unfunny. But there are lovely moments --especially when Olive is loping along or singing, and when she and Popeye are gazing adoringly at the foundling Swee'Pea (Wesley Ivan Hurt).

Vincent Canby

Miss Duvall is superb - genteely ladylike one minute, a woman of volcanic passions the next. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

It is more than faint praise to say that Popeye is far, far better than it might have been, considering the treacherous challenge it presented. But avoiding disaster is not necessarily the same as success. Read full review

Jay Scott

A shamelessly commercial and determinedly vulgar director, such as Flash Gordon's Mike Hodges, might have made the film work; it might have succeeded on one level instead of failing on many. [13 Dec 1980, p.E7]

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User Reviews

AnnaR.

Mar 18, 2008

I like this film. I smile from beginning to end. It looks brilliant and it evokes the cartoon faithfully. It's a kids film that makes an adult happy. I don't know if Popeye can sweet talk today's kids, as I don't know if the cartoon is still on telly.

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Amirhosein2005

Sep 29, 2021

A film very loyal to E.C Segar comics ... an entertaining film with creative and well-made content .. Although there were many drawbacks, but it is good!

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EpicLadySponge

Mar 21, 2016

For those who actually want to enjoy Popeye, enjoy its early-day cartoon. It's obviously better than this movie which turned things upside-down for poor Robin Williams and the rest of the cast that participated in this movie.

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drlowdon

Dec 26, 2020

When the much love ‘sailor man’ Popeye arrives in the seaside town called Sweethaven he meets Olive Oyl and soon falls in love, but he’ll have to deal with the pirate Bluto first. It’s hard to imagine anyone doing a better job as Popeye than Robin Williams, and he gives the role all hisWhen the much love ‘sailor man’ Popeye arrives in the seaside town called Sweethaven he meets Olive Oyl and soon falls in love, but he’ll have to deal with the pirate Bluto first. It’s hard to imagine anyone doing a better job as Popeye than Robin Williams, and he gives the role all his usual enthusiasm, but the mediocre scripts ultimately means this is a pretty forgettable movie.… Expand

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wadewilliams

Oct 14, 2014

waste of time waste of building a set as detailed as that one was. boring, stupid, went nowhere. Williams couldn't pull it off, but then who could have with such a lame script? It would have been better if choice clips of the old Popeyes could have been spliced together and then releasewaste of time waste of building a set as detailed as that one was. boring, stupid, went nowhere. Williams couldn't pull it off, but then who could have with such a lame script? It would have been better if choice clips of the old Popeyes could have been spliced together and then release it as a full-length feature. I think warner bros did that kind of thing with Bugs Bunny and the gang. check out shelly duvall doing harry nilsson's "he's large" composition on youtube. yecchhh… Expand

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