Popeye’s Revenge: Brutal Gore, No Plot, Big Mess!

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In the movie titled “Popeye’s Revenge,” spinach seems to be in short supply. Unfortunately, the same can be said for a coherent storyline and clever execution. However, the violence is intense, the misogyny is distressing, and it appears that the plot has been overshadowed by a vengeful narrative aimed at reimagining some of the most beloved fairy tales and comic book characters in a gruesome manner. This violent trend started with director Rhys Frake-Waterfield, who is also behind the “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” films. It seems that screenwriter Harry Boxley was using these films as a prelude to horror, considering his previous work on “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Cinderella’s Curse.” In essence, “Popeye’s Revenge” is a chaotic mixture of bloodshed, both metaphorical and literal.

In their effort to present a chilling and original twist on the beloved Winnie-The-Pooh character, first introduced by A.A. Milne over 90 years ago, the film’s leading producers are driving this project forward. The movie, directed by William Stead (known for “Children of the Night”), follows a group of teenagers struggling to stay alive amidst the “tale of Popeye,” as they strive to establish a summer camp. (It’s clear where things are going with this plot.)

Stead and Boxley transform the beloved spinach-munching character into something quite different, taking away his authentic charm and replacing him with a heartless tough guy who carries a grudge and, yes, has large muscular forearms. The reasons for these changes might not be particularly original, but if you’re the kind of movie enthusiast who enjoys cheesy, blood-splattering horror films that harken back to the teenage movies of the 1980s, then this could be just the thing for you. Simply heat up a spinach pie in the microwave and enjoy!

Anchors (So Far) Away

Regardless of perspective, Popeye’s Revenge is essentially a haphazard amalgamation of ’80s horror movies, with hints suggesting an attempt to emulate the style of John Carpenter. It seems as though The Fog, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and even Porky’s chose to dominate the horror genre in a BDSM-inspired fashion, mocking and belittling their roots.

It seems there’s an unusual delight in it, and if it weren’t for the surprising fact that “Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2” turned out to be entertaining, we would advise steering clear of this gruesome blend of “Friday the 13th” and “Popeye”. However, like many grotesque accidents on the highway, you can’t help but linger a bit longer and stare at the grisly spectacle.

In a secluded village, a child is born with an abnormality. One day at school, he experiences bullying from his peers, which is certainly distressing. However, his father violently kills one of the bullies, and this act does not sit well with the townspeople. At home, his parents are anxious and imprison him in the basement. Eventually, a mob from the town invades their house, setting it ablaze. A friend who the boy has never met, but trusts implicitly, manages to send notes that help the boy escape. He flees towards the lake and appears to drown. However, we can’t be sure – it seems as though Jason Voorhees may have found a doppelganger in this story.

This Popeye Is Not the Sailor Man We Love

As I sat down to pen my review, I found myself reminiscing about a captivating tale spun around a group of spirited adolescents who dared to dream big and establish a summer camp hidden in plain sight – utilizing a house previously devastated during the chaotic events of the Popeye rampage as their secret headquarters. Little did they know, the house now belonged to one of their own parents for an enigmatic purpose that would later unfold.

Ignorant of the chilling warnings from a local resident about the eerie mist, they dismissed it with nonchalance. Unbeknownst to them, this fog held the power to summon the very legend of Popeye, a force that would change their lives forever.

The man who plays the role of Steven Murphy (the actor’s name is not specified) has already been introduced, making an appearance in a prolonged 15-minute introduction. He assumes the famous character, but ends up causing trouble for a group of three teenagers who were excited to delve into the legend of Popeye at the house. This was a mistake on their part. As the teens get comfortable in the renovated home, they become dismayed to find that there’s no cell service. Unbeknownst to them, Popeye has already started his killing spree by taking out one of the teenagers.

The entrance of a drugged-up woman (Kelly Rian Sanson plays Olive) signals the impending horror. It is this woman who had given young Popeye the notes, although we never discover why she did so. Now, the girl seems determined to aid Popeye in seeking revenge.

This version of Popeye lacks depth, as we don’t get an explanation for his survival after drowning or the origin of his initially violent behavior, turning him into more of a relentless killer. In contrast, the motivations of characters like Jason from Friday the 13th and Michael Myers from Halloween were more clearly defined, especially in the early films. This film fails to provide insight into the boy transformed into the monster. A significant oversight: Popeye was originally a sailor in a bustling seaport town in the comics. However, this aspect has been removed and replaced with a dock on a peaceful lake, where Popeye resides on a boat that we never see him use.

The Blood Splatters, the Plot Dies

Regarding the gore in this movie, it’s quite similar to the fictional “Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey” series, as it contains a high level of graphic violence. Here’s a quick rundown: A head is forcibly detached from its body (remember Popeye’s strength?). Yep, that’s checked off. There’s also a large anchor being thrust into heads or torsos. Check. And a breast implant is squeezed to the point where it splatters blood across the scene. Check. Characters being run over by vehicles. Quite an unusual sight, but yes, it happens. In summary, if you add up all these scenes, they’re definitely present in this film.

As the movie nears its grand finale, it lacks any sense of grandeur. The adults have uncovered the children’s activities and dash off to protect them. Such unfortunate characters. The death toll continues to increase. Moving along…

If you’re curious about the cast, there might be a bit of mystery surrounding the actors from Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, Kelly Rian Sanson, Danielle Scott, and Danielle Ronald, who also appear in Popeye’s Revenge. However, their presence doesn’t salvage this disappointing production.

It seems plausible that the creators of “Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey ” could be using a similar strategy to what they did with the sequel, capitalizing on the enthusiasm for the initial film, which was made on a low budget. This excitement is then used to fund a more polished and well-written follow-up. However, given the violent and bloody climax of this movie, some might find that assumption a stretch.

On the other hand, “Popeye’s Revenge ” relies on our collective fondness for ’80s horror nostalgia and graphic violence. By the end of the film, you may feel as if Popeye’s famous words are haunting you: “That’s all I can stands, ’cause I can’t stands no more.”

You can stream “Popeye’s Revenge ” on Prime Video and VOD. Here’s the link to watch it:

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2025-02-20 09:02