Am somebody who likes to love a vast majority of the Popeye cartoons and likes the character himself. A likeable character whose chemistry and animosity with Bluto one that drives the cartoons with such fun and energy, always a highlight. Do have a preference for the Fleischer era cartoons, that are generally funnier, more imaginative and of higher quality, though many of the later Famous Studio offerings entertain, just inferior in quality.
1942's 'Kickin the Conga Round' is notable for being one of the last Fleischer Studios Popeye cartoons, before Famous Studios took over in 1943 and continued the series to the end of it. What is also noted is Bluto's redesign, being plumper to what was seen before, and Dave Barry voicing them instead of Gus Wickie. While it is standard Popeye vs Bluto in a South American setting, 'Kickin the Conga Round' is still extremely entertaining and among the better 1942 Popeye cartoons and one of the more entertaining wartime efforts of the series.
'Kickin the Conga Round' isn't quite perfect. Olive is underused and for me only Mae Questel of all of Olive's voice actresses fitted the character design.
There is not an awful lot wrong here though. The animation is great , the backgrounds have lost none of the meticulous attention to detail, it's fluid, Popeye still looks good and is recognisable in design and the shading has atmosphere. There are some very creative visuals in the dancing. Every bit as good is the lively and lushly orchestrated music score, that has character and adds a lot to the action and enhances it.
Although the story is thin and formulaic (which one has come to expect from the series by now), the sheer infectious energy more than makes up for that that it doesn't matter massively. The gags are many and they are all very funny and have enough variety to stop the cartoon from being repetitive. Will agree about the cartoon being educational and quite revealing in what it says about the military also.
Popeye is amusing and likeable still, he is convincing as a single character taking on a much larger army, and Jack Mercer doesn't disappoint with the voice acting. Bluto is just as funny and interesting and the chemistry between the two sparkles and carries 'Kickin the Conga Round' with boundless energy. It is a tall order replacing Wickie, but Barry gives a good account of himself and at least fits the character design and sounds menacing (unlike Pinto Colvig).
Concluding, very good. 8/10.
