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Post by The Curmudgeon on Apr 11, 2007 11:16:09 GMT 2
 Ug-ug-ug-ug.... ugh.You may know this about The Curmudgeon if you've read any more of my reviews (which I'm sure you have), but I'm a Comic Book Movie collector. I get everything, from the latest blockbuster to the obscure flops to the 1950's cinema serials (which means having to buy copies from ebay... hey, it's the only way to get them). So whilst this means having to watch some brilliant films and television, it also means having to watch some right bunk. I'm talking Tank Girl. I'm talking Catwoman. I'm talking Superman IV. And guess where this is heading? Yup - I'm talking Popeye. Praise where praise is due first - it looks awesome. Sweethaven is perfect, from the rickety shacks to the look of the characters themselves - if it were based on looks alone, Popeye would be a five star classic. Now, the decision to make this a musical was something that never really bothered me; the old Fleischer cartoons were so musical in spirit and tone that it kinda makes sense. But here's one of Popeye's major faults - the songs are AWFUL. Not just bad or unmemorable.. not every musical has to be Wizard Of Oz, but they are brutal to listen to. Olive Oyl's "but he's laaaaaaarrrrge" song makes me want to hurl kittens at cars. Even talking about it now makes me have violent urges, so we'd best stop there. But someone somewhere in creative control really should have LISTENED to these songs (which are littered all the way through the film) and realised how abysmal and unlikable they were. But, alas, they didn't, so we have a musical with the ability to create mass murderers. Next up is Popeye himself. Now, he may LOOK the part, but there's just something about watching Robin Williams here that is fairly unnerving - Williams doesn't look at all comfortable in the role. Popeye is supposed to be shy, we get that, but never once does Williams convince as Popeye - we're only ever reminded that its Robin Williams dressed up as Popeye, and looking rather embarrassed about it. As for the other characters? Well, Wimpy is rubbish, Olive Oyl is as annoying as she should be (Shelly Duvall just has that "punchable" quality. Was I the only one cheering on Jack Nicholson in The Shining?) but Bluto is BORING, which is just unacceptable. Who can forget the cackling loudmouth from the cartoons, full of menacing quips and vindictive glee? Here he glowers and looks big. And, uh, that's it. For a movie aimed at kids, taken from old Segar comicstrips and Fleischer cartoons that were, and here's a good word - F-U-N. The spinach eating finale (Popeye hates spinach in this - whu?!) aside, its very probable kids will be bored out of their minds watching this. A dull, navel gazing Popeye, a mono-syllabic Bluto, no Goons, terrible songs.. Sounds like a one star movie to me, folks. At least they didn't attempt Popeye And Son..... |
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Post by InvisibleWolfMan on Apr 27, 2007 22:52:31 GMT 2
Hi.
You know, I loved this movie as a kid. Loved it. I'd seek out the cable channels whenever it was supposed to be on and I'd watch it. Then it just...disappeared forever. Then in 1995 it suddenly was back on cable. I caught it just after Popeye got himself a room at the Oyls' place (am I typing that...?!?). And for the first time, I got BORED.
Then almost 3 years ago, I got it on DVD. I had missed seeing it, and there was NO sight of it to be found here in Finland. And I watched it again.
Yes, many of the songs leave something to be desired (a few even leave that "scoop out your ears with a spork" feeling).
Yes, Bluto's not the same Bluto we enjoy from the old cartoons.
Yes, Olive Oyl is not enjoyable, but I think it has more to do with the fact that she's SOOOOO 1 dimensional in Popeye's world that the moment you try to "broaden" her character...it just doesn't work. She's meant to be in distress and not focused much upon.
Yes, Popeye not liking spinach is like Superman saying "I'll be DAMNED if I'll get into those tights again to fight Luthor!"
Yes, Robin Williams got stuck within a corner that he couldn't act his way out of....
But dammit, I loved it again. And for all it's cheese-filled center glory.
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Post by The Curmudgeon on Apr 27, 2007 22:53:04 GMT 2
So... uh..... after all that.. WHY?!
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Post by InvisibleWolfMan on Apr 27, 2007 22:53:41 GMT 2
I see it as one of those
"So bad it's good in a bad, bad entertaining way"
movies. You know?
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Post by The Curmudgeon on Apr 27, 2007 22:54:14 GMT 2
Do I know?
Three quarters of my DVD collection is made of up of those movies.
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Post by InvisibleWolfMan on Apr 27, 2007 22:54:43 GMT 2
Oh yeah? Well...welll...4/5ths of my collection is made up of that.
Or so my wife tells me...
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Post by trashcanman on Apr 27, 2007 22:55:08 GMT 2
Am I a bad person for actually enjoying "Tank Girl"?
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Post by InvisibleWolfMan on Apr 27, 2007 22:55:44 GMT 2
Nah, I enjoy TANK GIRL too! Ice-T as a humaniod kangaroo...
Oh.
YEAH.
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Post by The Curmudgeon on Apr 27, 2007 22:56:23 GMT 2
Oh come on - it's rubbish. Saying that, of all the comic book garbage I've subjected The Wife(tm) to, Tank Girl was one of the few she actually half enjoyed.
I'll give it this, though - it does have one of my all time favourite movie lines in it:
"I feel teeth - you feel lead."
Class.
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Post by trashcanman on Apr 27, 2007 22:56:52 GMT 2
I don't know exactly why loading cans of beer into a tank turret makes me laugh hysterically. It just does.
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Post by The Curmudgeon on Apr 27, 2007 22:57:25 GMT 2
Iggy Pop. As a kangaroo.
Now let us never speak of it again.
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Jennifer D Elslager
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Post by Jennifer D Elslager on Sept 25, 2007 13:44:51 GMT 2
ORIGINAL COMMENT FROM AMAZON.COM
I actually look for the songs on my DVD of this movie so I can enjoy them again and again. You really shouldn't blame your propensity toward violence on this sweet film.
Olive Oyl's "but he's laaaaaaarrrrge" song makes me laugh out loud every time. Shelley Duvall is incredibly sweet, and Robin Williams did a fantastic job.
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Post by The Curmudgeon on Sept 26, 2007 22:12:51 GMT 2
ORIGINAL COMMENT FROM AMAZON.COM
Hmmm. No.
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Post by Jennifer DElslager on Oct 7, 2007 13:18:57 GMT 2
ORIGINAL COMMENT FROM AMAZON.COMAs Robin Williams once said (in another movie), "If you were right, I would agree with you." 
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Jennifer D Elslager
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Post by Jennifer D Elslager on Nov 11, 2007 16:03:42 GMT 2
ORIGINAL COMMENT FROM AMAZON.COM
I realize that "The Curmudgeon Hates Me", (actually I hope that's not really true), but may I respectfully ask that you remove my name from your personal website? I made these comments on Amazon only, and would truly prefer not to be on your site.
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