Comments on: Disney Canon Countdown 33: ‘Pocahontas’

By: Satiricalifragilistic !

Satiricalifragilistic ! — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 02:31:00 +0000

Pocahontas really bugs me as a movie because I can see what they were trying to do, and I really respect the ambition in some parts, but it was just so lacking in inspiration and creativity on the most structural level. The suits thought it would be a great hit, and no one really criticized it within Disney until way too late, if ever. The result is a poorly-thought-out mess that doesn’t achieve the heights it clearly thinks it deserves. But DAMN there is some amazing music and animation in that thing!

I even did a whole series on the movie and why it is so close to being good, and yet so far, and I propose an improved version that I think could have actually been good. I’d love to know what you think!

http://satiricalifragilistic.blogspot.com/2014/12/problem-like-pocahontas-part-1.html

By: Rachel Wagner

Rachel Wagner — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 16:36:00 +0000

In reply to AnimatedKid. That's very bizarre IMO

By: AnimatedKid

AnimatedKid — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 16:20:00 +0000

In reply to Rachel Wagner. Just some random Youtubers, commenters, and blogs I have read in the past.

By: Rachel Wagner

Rachel Wagner — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 08:52:00 +0000

In reply to Jeremiah Bok. Stand strong on Pocahontas! :)

By: Rachel Wagner

Rachel Wagner — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 08:50:00 +0000

In reply to AnimatedKid. Who blames this film on the death of 2D animation? I have never heard that. Disney would still make 2D animated films until 2011 years after this film debuted.

By: CarFan1999

CarFan1999 — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 07:20:00 +0000

Pocahontas was a beautiful film. “Savages” was another great Disney song. However, the story was mixed. I liked how the story was told but I didn’t care for the comic relief animals or how certain elements were dumbed down. In some ways, I liked the direct-to-dvd squeal a little better as that nicely continued her story. Overall, I’d rate this 6/10.

By: Jackson Staninger

Jackson Staninger — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 19:06:00 +0000

In reply to Landon Kemp.

The film does rely heavily on “no need to explain itself” So I get there are some things that doesn’t make sense.
As for San (Pocahontas), she represented the Animal Instinct, Our original beings, Neanderthals, in a Lord of the Flies kind of way. One thing I love about this movie is that there is no bad guy nor a good guy.
San is protecting her people (the wild) but thinks violence is the answer
Lady Hiboshi (Radcliff) believes in development for the good of her people (remember the wounded blacksmiths making the guns, she was very patient with them, and promised them a healthier and safer life) Yet she does not have concern with the natural world or anyone who she doesn’t see as worth compromising with (would YOU compromise with a young girl acting barbaric)
Ashitaka (John Smith Equivalent) is a little of both. He starts out as the domesticated, docile, behaved human being in society, but suffers the consequences of tampering with nature.
At the end they all learn to respect one another, and realize they are incapable of living together if one does not respect the other. That’s my reading of it anyway.
San is the animal, brash sure, but bitchy is a stretch. MERIDA from Brave is bitchy.

By: Rachel Wagner

Rachel Wagner — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 22:06:00 +0000

In reply to Jeremiah Bok. Cool. I'm glad it works for you

By: Jeremiah Bok

Jeremiah Bok — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 21:35:00 +0000

In reply to Rachel Wagner. I stand with her.

By: Ryan Campbell

Ryan Campbell — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 19:20:00 +0000

I still remember seeing this opening weekend in the theaters back in the summer of 95. I was 14 and obsessed with animation! After having my expectations heightened by movies like Aladdin and Lion King and with the “Colors of the Wind” song/preview on The Lion King VHS, I couldn’t wait for this movie to start! I can’t say I was totally blown away upon first viewing, although I did enjoy it quite a bit. I did go back and see it more times in the theater and I can say that upon more viewings, I definitely started to appreciate this movie more. There is just something about this movie that draws you in – the story, the animation, the music – it just all comes together and starts to work on your emotions.

Although I was, and still am, fascinated by the animation, the music was something that really stood out to me. Not just the songs, but the score as well. I agree with you that the score is one of the best from a Disney animated film. I think for me, a big part of what drew me into the movie was the score. There are certain tracks that, even today, I can’t listen to without getting goosebumps. The score is definitely very emotional.

Though this movie may not receive all the love it deserves, or might not be on everyone’s top 10 favorites list, I think it still has quite a bit to offer. And that’s why it’s still one of my favorites today.