Like to love a lot of what Dave Fleischer and Fleischer Studios did. They did cartoons that were amusing and charming, though over-cuteness did come through in some efforts and the stories were always pretty thin, with appealing characters, outstanding music and visuals that were inventive and with innovative animation techniques.
'King of the Mardi Gras', made during the prime period of the Popeye cartoons, is not one of the best or funniest Popeye cartoons for me. It though is still very good if at times more very amusing rather than hilarious. Have always enjoyed many of the Popeye cartoons a good deal and have always liked Popeye as a character, Fleischer's efforts were always well animated and scored with lots of entertainment value and great chemistry between Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto. A vast majority of what made prime Popeye is here in 'King of the Mardi Gras'. It is a good example of why Fleischer's cartoons, even the lesser ones, are better, funnier and more consistent in quality than those of Famous Studios, with the wartime and late 50s cartoons being particularly variable
The story is formulaic and slight, with the beginning not quite having the same amount of energy as the rest of the cartoons, though it didn't ever get repetitive. The humour and gags are well timed and didn't come over as lazy to me, even if they varied in whether they were amusing or more. The coaster chase is the clear highlight and the increasing wildness is immense fun to watch.
Great fun the characters are on the whole, though Olive is underused and her material is not in the same as Popeye and Bluto's. Those two are spot on and their chemistry drives 'King of the Mardi Gras' and has so much energy. Popeye is as amusing and likeable but for me Bluto is here the funnier and more interesting character, which he actually tends to be in the Popeye cartoons. Wimpy is always worth watching and is hardly wasted.
Furthermore, the animation is nicely done with enough visual detail to not make it cluttered or static and lively and smooth movement The music is even better, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish. The songs are wonderful here with clever lyrics as well as being catchy, all without getting on the nerves. Fleischer's direction is always accomplished and his style is all over it.
Voice acting is dynamic and of very good quality on the most part, Jack Mercer was the longest-serving Popeye for good reason, asides and mumblings have seldom been funnier, while cannot imagine a better Olive than Mae Questel. Gus Wickie also gives Bluto so much life.
Concluding, very good if not quite great. 8/10
'King of the Mardi Gras', made during the prime period of the Popeye cartoons, is not one of the best or funniest Popeye cartoons for me. It though is still very good if at times more very amusing rather than hilarious. Have always enjoyed many of the Popeye cartoons a good deal and have always liked Popeye as a character, Fleischer's efforts were always well animated and scored with lots of entertainment value and great chemistry between Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto. A vast majority of what made prime Popeye is here in 'King of the Mardi Gras'. It is a good example of why Fleischer's cartoons, even the lesser ones, are better, funnier and more consistent in quality than those of Famous Studios, with the wartime and late 50s cartoons being particularly variable
The story is formulaic and slight, with the beginning not quite having the same amount of energy as the rest of the cartoons, though it didn't ever get repetitive. The humour and gags are well timed and didn't come over as lazy to me, even if they varied in whether they were amusing or more. The coaster chase is the clear highlight and the increasing wildness is immense fun to watch.
Great fun the characters are on the whole, though Olive is underused and her material is not in the same as Popeye and Bluto's. Those two are spot on and their chemistry drives 'King of the Mardi Gras' and has so much energy. Popeye is as amusing and likeable but for me Bluto is here the funnier and more interesting character, which he actually tends to be in the Popeye cartoons. Wimpy is always worth watching and is hardly wasted.
Furthermore, the animation is nicely done with enough visual detail to not make it cluttered or static and lively and smooth movement The music is even better, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish. The songs are wonderful here with clever lyrics as well as being catchy, all without getting on the nerves. Fleischer's direction is always accomplished and his style is all over it.
Voice acting is dynamic and of very good quality on the most part, Jack Mercer was the longest-serving Popeye for good reason, asides and mumblings have seldom been funnier, while cannot imagine a better Olive than Mae Questel. Gus Wickie also gives Bluto so much life.
Concluding, very good if not quite great. 8/10
