Like the character of Popeye very much, have said this more than once. Some of his cartoons are disappointing, namely the late-40s and late-50s periods, but when the Popeye theatrical series was at its best (the late-30s) the cartoons were truly great. Overall, the theatrical series is well worth watching with many very good cartoons and the only watchable theatrical series of Fleischer Studios when the studios declined. If more the more imaginative and funnier Fleischer efforts than the less consistent Famous Studios ones.
When looking at the title without looking at the synopsis, one can easily mistake 'Baby Wants a Bottleship' for being another navy/military-set Popeye wartime cartoon. Especially considering it was made and released in the early 40s where most of the Popeye cartoons were centered around war and the military. 'Baby Wants a Bottleship' is actually one of the Popeye versus Little Swee'Pea cartoons, a series of cartoons that is mostly very entertaining and Swee'Pea was a good recurring character. Evident here, which is far from being one of the best Popeye cartoons but for an early 40s Popeye cartoon it is better than most.
Sure, the material does lack freshness from it being a familiar take on a familiar formula and takes a little time to get going.
Often there was throughout the series the annoying habit of giving Olive little material or screen time and making what she has forgettable, especially in the Famous Studios efforts. Obvious here and what she has adds little and is nothing to write home about.
A lot is good however. The animation is fine, simple but has some nice detail in the backgrounds, the shading is crisp and the character designs are far from ugly or off. Even better is the music (always important for me to talk about and Popeye cartoons always fared very well in this respect), again lush and cleverly orchestrated and doing so well adding to and enhancing the action. The dialogue amuses mostly and the last three minutes are a lot of fun and tightly paced. The voice acting is fine, Jack Mercer always had a ball with the asides and mumbling.
Furthermore, Popeye is very easy to like and is is amusing yet easy to feel sympathy for, but despite being a baby Swee'Pea manages to be an even more interesting character, avoiding being obnoxious or too cute and is both adorable and funny. Their chemistry/interaction was essential for the cartoon to work and it works really well here. There are many clever and very amusing and beautifully timed gags. The asides and mumblings are even funnier and helped by Jack Mercer's ever genius vocal delivery, just wish there was more.
Concluding, good but not great. 7/10.