Popeye the Sailor (2025): Big Arms, Big Laughs, and Even Bigger Heart
He’s back — muscles, muttering, and all. Popeye the Sailor (2025) sails into theaters with the force of a tidal wave and the charm of a timeless legend, reimagining the iconic sailor man for a new generation. Powered by outrageous action, witty one-liners, and a surprisingly touching core, this film is a swashbuckling blast that knows how to laugh and how to land a punch.
Dwayne Johnson takes on the role of Popeye, and he’s everything you’d hope for: towering, tattooed, and rocking those legendary forearms with unapologetic swagger. But beneath the bravado, Johnson gives Popeye something rare — soul. A man who’s spent his life at sea, searching not just for adventure, but for belonging.
His nemesis? Bluto, reimagined as Captain Brick Bluto, a ruthless maritime warlord played with unhinged brilliance by Will Smith. Gone are the old-school grunts — this Bluto is sharp, stylish, and has a personal vendetta that makes the showdown with Popeye feel dangerously personal.
And then there’s Jude Law as Wimpy, a suave, morally questionable “sea negotiator” who eats burgers during hostage deals and somehow always finds himself on the winning side. He’s the film’s comedic ace — slick, dry, and full of surprises.
The plot? A mythical treasure map surfaces in the Bermuda Triangle, said to lead to Poseidon’s Vault, a place where all lost sailors’ wishes are kept. Popeye is dragged into the race not for gold, but to protect Olive Oyl (portrayed by Ana de Armas), an intrepid marine archaeologist who holds the key — and maybe Popeye’s heart.
The action sequences are gloriously over-the-top: a spinach-fueled brawl on a floating casino, a submarine chase through a bioluminescent trench, and a final fistfight on the mast of a burning ship during a lightning storm. And yes — he eats the spinach. And when he does? You feel it.
Director Guy Ritchie brings a kinetic, stylized flair, giving this seafaring world a gritty yet cartoonish edge. The editing is slick, the dialogue sharp, and the laughs land without sinking the emotional stakes.
The film’s biggest surprise? Its heart. Popeye’s journey isn’t just about defeating Bluto or saving Olive — it’s about confronting his past, making peace with the sailor who left him behind, and finally understanding that strength comes from more than spinach — it comes from purpose.
Rating: 8.5/10 – Wild, weird, and wonderfully self-aware. Popeye the Sailor is a high-seas adventure that punches through expectations with muscle, humor, and heart. Anchors aweigh — this one’s a knockout.
