Do have a preference for the Fleischer era cartoons, that are generally funnier, more imaginative and of higher quality. Many of the Famous Studio offerings entertain and are well done, the earlier Famous Studios cartoons look better though whereas the later ones were inferior in animation quality and ideas, though still enjoyable generally.
'Me Musical Nephews' is not quite one of my favourite Popeye cartoons overall. It is enormously enjoyable though and has pretty much everything that was so great about the best of the Fleischer output while not being quite as imaginative in the formula and humour. That is not saying that 'Me Musical Nephews' is unimaginative, for Famous Studios Popeye it is quite the contrary. The result is a great cartoon and also one of Famous Studios' better Popeye cartoons overall.
One doesn't care so much that the story is on the thin and somewhat formulaic side, consisting of a battle between Popeye and his nephews involving making music when there's meant to be sleep. Namely because there is enough creativity and variety to stop 'Me Musical Nephews' from being repetitive and the energy is constant and so infectious. .
So many fine things. 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. 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. It is also very important here and essential to the cartoon's success, it is brilliantly done here.
Popeye is amusing and likeable still, he is also quite relatable here, and Jack Mercer doesn't disappoint with the voice acting. The nephews are bratty but they avoids being too annoying and they are actually very funny, their actions and behaviour handled very cleverly.
There are a lot of gags that are timed beautifully and are very funny and laugh a minute, the best absolutely hilarious. The energy never ceases and the non-stop action prevents it from being dull.
In conclusion, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox