Like the character of Popeye very much, have said this more than once. The odd disappointing one aside, really like to love a vast majority of his cartoons. If more Fleischer's output than Famous Studios'. Fleischer's Popeye cartoons tended to be funnier, more imaginative and better made, Famous Studios' on the most part entertained though their later Popeye, and overall filmography actually, cartoons had tighter deadlines and lower budgets evident.
Of the wartime Popeye cartoons made during World War II, 'Ration for the Duration' is agreed one of the best. Also think it is towards the better earlier Famous Studios Popeye cartoons. Generally, the wartime Popeye cartoons varied in overall standard, with some having a good deal of entertainment value and interest, and generally while initially not so sure Popeye works well within the setting. And there were others that were not as funny or imaginative and heavy-handedness and not-for-the-easily-offended stereotypes were also evident.
'Ration for the Duration' can be very corny sure, a few of the puns are ones where you are not sure whether you want to chuckle or groan.
Parts are predictable and some of the drawing lacks refinement.
However, most of the animation is fine, simple but has some nice detail in the backgrounds, the shading is crisp and the character designs are far from ugly or off. The inventive overhead shots are striking. Even better is the music (always important for me to talk about and Popeye cartoons always fared very well in this respect), again lush and cleverly orchestrated and doing so well adding to and enhancing the action. The dialogue amuses mostly and even more so the increasingly wild action. Popeye is amusing and likeable, with great rapport with the rest of the characters, and Jack Mercer as always does a great job voicing him.
Even if there are predictable moments here and there, what sets 'Ration for the Duration' apart from other wartime Popeye cartoons is that it tries to be different. The setting is different and it does a nice twist on 'Jack and the Beanstalk', doing so amusingly but in some places poignantly when one is reminded how rationing affected people back then. It is one of the funnier wartime Popeye cartoons, the action and gags are far from scant, they are well timed and most importantly they are funny. It refrains from preaching too, it is so easy for something to make a point about something important and relevant and lay it on too thick.'Ration for the Duration' may not say much new, but it does educate and to me it didn't go overboard making its point. The supporting characters are colourful in personality, the most memorable being the giant, and are not stereotypes, certainly far from ones to be offended by. In fact there is nothing offensive at all here.
Summarising, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox
