Popeye's enlistment mess: A quick watch

Look, if you’re looking for high-concept storytelling, you’re in the wrong place. I'm in the Army Now is basically just seven minutes of two guys acting like idiots for the sake of a girl who probably deserves better anyway.

It’s worth watching if you want a brain-dead snack between real movies. If you get annoyed by yelling or repetitive gags, you’ll hate every second of it. 🙄

The Setup

Olive is the prize. Bluto is the bully. Popeye is… well, Popeye. The whole thing kicks off because they both want to impress her by signing up for the Army. It’s barely a plot, but it works well enough to get the punches flying.

There’s this weird energy in the recruitment office. The recruiter looks like he’s having the worst day of his life, which, honestly, is the most relatable part of the whole short. I felt for the guy. Imagine having to deal with these two all day.

Specific Moments That Stuck

The animation style has that jittery, classic feel. You know the one. Every time Bluto tries to look tough, he just looks like a balloon about to pop. 🎈

There’s a bit where the physical comedy gets genuinely aggressive. It’s not just a cartoon scuffle. It feels like they’re trying to actually destroy the scenery. One reaction shot from Olive lingers just long enough to make you wonder what she’s even thinking. Probably not much.

I kept thinking about The Ginger Bread Boy while watching this, mainly because both films rely so heavily on that frantic, run-around energy. It’s exhausting just to watch.

The Verdict

Does it need to exist? Probably not. Is it a fun way to waste a few minutes? Sure. It’s not a masterpiece, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s just loud, colorful, and ends before you can really get bored of the yelling.

Also, Popeye’s spinach consumption is at an all-time high here. The pacing is weirdly fast at the end, almost like the animators realized they were running out of film stock and just hit the fast-forward button.

If you're a fan of the Fleischer style, you'll dig it. If you're looking for logic, you’re looking in the wrong decade.