I first wrote this review, after I saw Pocahontas (1995), in the theaters, back in 1995. This does include some 2023 proof-reading. This Disney film, tries to explain the historical story, about the relationship between the beautiful Indian princess Pocahontas (voice of Irene Bedard), and the British colonist John Smith (voice of Mel Gibson), as an animated, family adventure. When the ship, the Susan Constant, which is carrying John Smith, lands in the new world, cultures between the colonists and the native Indians, immediately begin to collide. When the Indian chief, who is the father of Pocahontas, declares war against the greedy English, Smith is caught in the middle and Pocahontas, has to save his life. Of course, they also fall in love. No surprises there.
In Pocahontas (1995), there is a definite lesson, implanted into this story, about the way native Americans, were portrayed in history. Also, it explains how prejudices can be very harmful and to watch-out, for suspect portrayals of them, in older stories or history books. The film does try to mend those wounds. The story in Pocahontas (1995), is fair to good. The story does have that typical, sad Disney conclusion and it is, no Lion King (1994). There is a slow pace in this film and the music, tends to be a little dull. The overall film doesn't match the normal, fun-loving standards of a Disney film. Even the color-scheme, used in the animations seemed a little bland. The fluid motion, witnessed in the Lion King (1994) and even in classics, like Pinocchio (1940), was not evident in Pocahontas (1995).
Pocahontas (1995), is entertaining for kids and there is a level of maturity, that can keep adults in the story. There are some very funny moments in the film too. It is an average animated film though and it had mixed reviews, when it was released in 1995. It is one of the more weaker Disney animated efforts, that were released in the late-1990s. However, Pocahontas (1995), is still a good enough film, that it does deserve a watch. It has an interesting level of cultural sensibilities/insensibilities, that helps to draw an interesting contrast, between the year the film takes place (1607), the year it came out (1995), and how we feel about these situations, almost 30 years after its release.
6.3 (D+) = 6 IMDB.
In Pocahontas (1995), there is a definite lesson, implanted into this story, about the way native Americans, were portrayed in history. Also, it explains how prejudices can be very harmful and to watch-out, for suspect portrayals of them, in older stories or history books. The film does try to mend those wounds. The story in Pocahontas (1995), is fair to good. The story does have that typical, sad Disney conclusion and it is, no Lion King (1994). There is a slow pace in this film and the music, tends to be a little dull. The overall film doesn't match the normal, fun-loving standards of a Disney film. Even the color-scheme, used in the animations seemed a little bland. The fluid motion, witnessed in the Lion King (1994) and even in classics, like Pinocchio (1940), was not evident in Pocahontas (1995).
Pocahontas (1995), is entertaining for kids and there is a level of maturity, that can keep adults in the story. There are some very funny moments in the film too. It is an average animated film though and it had mixed reviews, when it was released in 1995. It is one of the more weaker Disney animated efforts, that were released in the late-1990s. However, Pocahontas (1995), is still a good enough film, that it does deserve a watch. It has an interesting level of cultural sensibilities/insensibilities, that helps to draw an interesting contrast, between the year the film takes place (1607), the year it came out (1995), and how we feel about these situations, almost 30 years after its release.
6.3 (D+) = 6 IMDB.