Dave Fleischer was responsible for many gems. Ones 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.
'I-Ski Love-Ski You-Ski' is classic Popeye the Sailor. It is a great cartoon, is all that Popeye is all about and is hilarious at its very best. Have always enjoyed many of the Popeye cartoons a good deal and like Popeye very much, Fleischer's efforts were always well animated and scored with lots of entertainment value and great chemistry between the characters. 'I-Ski Love-Ski You-Ski' has everything that makes the Popeye series so appealing in its prime era and does nothing to waste the three main characters or make them less interesting.
The weakest asset is the story, full of energy but pretty standard formula. The humour and gags though elevate, avoiding the trap of repetition. Especially with a pretty hysterical, highly imaginative (visually and in gags) and beautifully choreographed climax, and with Popeye's mountain climbing (which is like mountain climbing as you have never seen it before).
All three characters are great, though Olive Oyl is slightly underused yet has some great material still. Popeye is always amusing and likeable, and even funnier and more interesting is Bluto. The interaction between them is one of the main things that drives 'I-Ski Love-Ski You-Ski' and is one of the best assets, so much fun to watch.
Furthermore, the animation is exceptional, 'I-Ski Love-Ski You-Ski' is for me up there with the best looking Popeye cartoons. It's beautifully drawn and with immaculate visual detail, that doesn't ever feel cluttered or static, and lively and smooth movement. The music likewise, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish. Fleischer's direction is always accomplished and his style is all over it.
Mae Questel was the ideal voice for Olive Oyl and Gus Wickie is a mix of energetic and menacing as Bluto. Best of all is Jack Mercer, a huge part as to why Popeye works so well as a character, mumblings and asides have seldom been funnier before or since.
In conclusion, great cartoon. 9/10