Thus, Pocahontas splashes from the paint pots a fully ripened, aboriginal Barbie with waist-length, raven-black hair. Here, though, she has been aged by a decade. Pocahontas was only 12 when she saved the life of Captain John Smith, whom one historian described as an olde crosspatch. Not only that, all Disney has really done in its disappointing 33rd animated feature is revive the stereotype of the Noble Savage. POCAHONTAS (G) - Contains a scuffle that results in a tragic killing by gunfire.ĭisney animators, frequently criticized for the studio's less-than-PC past, must have thought they finally got it right with "Pocahontas." But this ethnically sensitive, eco-friendly, quasi-feminist tale of the pretty Powhatan princess has already been hammered for playing fast and loose with history as the remaining Powhatans know it.
This movie thinking, "Wow, I'd like to see that again." You come out wondering where you
Hits, such as "The Lion King," "Aladdin" and "The Little Mermaid." You don't walk out of Rather than a movie, will fade from collective public esteem faster than Disney's better In the ultimate test, "Pocahontas," which feels like a marketing campaign with pictures
Though he slid off the mediocre conveyer belt of Saturday morning TV cartoons. A case in point: The Governor, a tritely fat creation, looks as But after the stupendously cinematic "The Lion King," the latest featureįeels downright ordinary. The title character, who seems composed entirely of curves, is the mostįascinating of all. ApparentlyĬomposers Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz used up all their creative juices on Pocahontas'sĭisney's Feature Animation department-now at 1,200 strong-creates some arresting imagesĪnd movements. Linda Hunt) and the usual sideshow of funny, fuzzy animals.Īs for the songs, they're guaranteed to keep your shoes glued to the floor. Their script recycles elements from "Snow White" to "The Lion King," with aįather-child clash, a heroine's saintly pureness that transforms an entire people, aįorbidden love, consultations with an oracle/shaman (in this case a tree spirit, voiced by Scenario (written by Carl Binder, Susannah Grant and Philip Lazebnik) is disappointingly wanĪnd obsequious. But in all other departments, the studio could use a little goosing. Terms of positive ethnic representation, Disney's public relations department shouldn't have The studio enlisted a plethora of Native Americans as consultants and performers. In its effort to provide authentic depictions of tribal customs, clothing and characters, Overeager British sentry Thomas (Christian Bale) follows Smith when he disappears into the (James Apaumut Fall), a vigilant brave who watches her every move. Pocahontas's father, Powhatan (Russell Means), wants her to marry dour-faced Kocoum (David Ogden Stiers), is here to kill "savages," who he believes are hoarding gold. Very soon, they'reĬommunicating famously and learning things about each other's culture.īut their love is threatened on all sides. Strapping, and she could easily star in her own "Thighs of Steel" video. When they finally meet, the mutual attraction is immediate. Hummingbird called Flit), sets eyes on John Smith (Mel Gibson), a good-looking British Who's immersed in the ways of nature (her best pals are a raccoon called Meeko and a Pocahontas (the voice of Irene Bedard), a beautiful member of the Algonquin Nation The animated story-based on the traditional tales of Pocahontas-is set in Virginia inġ607. Welcome to the column of a reluctant grinch.
Merchandisers and-most importantly-the parents and children of America, who are anticipating Is it okay not to be completely bowled over by "Pocahontas," Walt Disney's latestīlockbuster-in-the-making? Or is there a thumb's-up obligation to the network of tie-in Irene Bedard Mel Gibson David Ogden Stiers Russell Means James Apaumut Fall Christian Bale Linda Hunt While the couple cuddle and converse about ecology beside a waterfall, their people are preparing for war. Smith and Pocahontas fall in love, encouraged by Grandmother Willow (a talking tree). Smith is out enjoying nature while his shipmates are out felling forests and strip-mining for gold. While the others are expecting to find gold, John Smith is searching for something more spiritual. The princess is not interested, because, as she explains in her first song, something or someone more exciting waits "Just Around the River Bend."Ī tubload of greedy settlers are sailing toward what would soon be Jamestown. This film was awarded Oscars for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score and Best Original Song ("Colors of the Wind")Ĭhief Powhatan, a stern but loving father, wants Pocahontas to marry dour warrior Kocoum. "All Disney has really done in its disappointing 33rd animated feature is revive the stereotype of the Noble Savage."