As 2019 comes to a close I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their came with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

19. Popeye the Sailor: the 1940s Volume 2 and 3

Popeye the Sailor is always trying to win the heart of his beloved Olive Oyl. His arch nemesis, Bluto too is after the heart of Olive, which leads to many conflicts and fights with Popeye.

At their most basic, Popeye cartoon shorts are rather simple. Boy loves girl, girl somewhat ignores advances of said boy. Another suitor comes along which leads to a fight. Which in turn leads to Popeye using spinach to gain super strength to best his rival. And while not too many of the cartoons featured on these sets deviate from that standard formula, they are a lot of fun.

If you’ve been following me at all on the show or through my articles you will know I am a sucker for cartoon shorts. Warner Archive has blessed us with two Popeye releases this year following the success of the first volume in 2018. There is a lot of fun in these two discs and each are a really fun showcase of Popeye in the 1940’s. Popeye might never be as popular as Looney Tunes or Mickey Mouse but he makes up for it by being a lovable and funny character. And Famous Studios was always willing to cast Popeye in several different roles from a cowboy to a caveman and a spaceman to Mars, Popeye was sure versatile.

Volume 2 contains 15 classic Popeye shorts, which are;

House Tricks?, Service with a Guile, Klondike Casanova, Peep in the Deep, Rocket to Mars, Rodeo Romeo, The Fistic Fling, The Island Fling, Abusement Park, I’ll Be Skiing Ya, The Royal Four-Flusher, Popeye and the Pirates, Wotta Knight, Safari So Good, All’s Fair at the Fair.

Volume 3 contains 17 classic Popeye shorts, which are;

Olive Oyl for President, Wigwam Whoopee, Pre-Hysterical Man, Popeye Meets Hercules, A Wolf in Sheik’s Clothing, Spinach vs. Hamburgers, Snow Place Like Home, Robin-Hood-Winked, Symphony in Spinach, Popeye’s Premiere, Lumberjack and Jill, Hot Air Aces, A Balmy Swami, Tar with a Star, Silly Hillbilly, Barking Dogs Don’t Fite, The Fly’s Last Flight

In terms of the cartoons I would have to give a slight edge to Volume 2 as being slightly better as Volume 3 contains clip shows (of cartoons shorts? I didn’t even know those exist) but each are very funny and a lot of fun.

The biggest reason to buy these sets is Warner Archive has remastered these shorts to stunning results. Both Volumes contain new 4K restorations from the original nitrate negative. It will blow your mind watching these cartoons that were produced in the 1940s look as if they were drawn yesterday. Colors absolutely pop and there is no signs of artifacts which lead to some of the best looking cartoons in high-definition.

The audio are beautiful. No hissing or damage can be heard in either Volume. And while the cartoons do show their age in sound design it is no fault of the masters, but more in line with what the artists had to work with 70 years ago.

The only bummer with these Popeye sets is there is no bonus materials included.

Popeye the Sailor: 1940’s Volumes 2 and 3 are winners. Being a Golden Age Animation fan these are must own blu-rays and hit all the right nostalgic buttons. It is a bummer that Warner Archive did not include any bonus features on the discs, but they make up for it with new 4K transfers that are stunning. Warner Archive is the gift that keeps giving. Visit their website to purchase these discs and some other truly remarkable releases. If you’re an animation fan Popeye the Sailor 1940s Volume 2 and 3 are a must own.

Movie: Volume 2: A/Volume 3: A-

Video: Volume 2: A+/Volume 3: A+

Audio: Volume 2: A /Volume 3: A

Extras: Volume 2: F/Volume 3: F

Overall: Volume 2: A/Volume 3; A-