Pocahontas (1995)
This is the only Disney renaissance film that we didn't much care for as kids, apart from the music. Remember what we said about Aladdin being slightly racially tone-deaf? Yeah, Pocahontas takes the prize home. It's so much worse. In addition, it commits the ultimate crime for a children's movie - it's boring. For both kids and adults. We don't have a lot of nice things to say about this one. Sorry, all you Pocahontas lovers.
Characters
Pocahontas: she has the same fundamental flaw that each of the film's speaking characters have; she's boring. And it wouldn't be a Disney movie unless they were trying to recycle previous storylines. Pocahontas has exactly the same initial conflict as Belle, being a contrarian in a conformist culture. Also, her obsession with destiny really rubs us the wrong way. It doesn't have anything to do with native beliefs, instead it's more similar to what our Western culture thinks about destiny and supernatural things. She's not an authentic native character. Sure, her design is cool (aside from missing a nose).
John Smith: even Eric has more personality, and we call him Eric the generic! Like what does he learn from his dealings with native Americans? Nothing, he just has the hots for Pocahontas and wants some hanky-panky.
Ratcliffe: there's nothing to say really. He's hands down the worst villain of the renaissance. Even Mulan has a better villain. His motives are so cliché because they have no bearing in the actual story. He has no connection to either of the main characters, and thus is redundant. But the most gross offence is that he embodies all the evils of colonialism. He's the principal evil person - with the other white colonialists/settlers it's just a misunderstanding, folks!
Minor characters: the scenes with the animals make this movie bearable, which is a little ironic since their existence brings tonal dissonance to this exasperatingly serious story. Still, they are definitely the best thing about this film. The relationship between the raccoon and the pug is more believable and enjoyable than the love story with Pocahontas and John Smith.
Story
We came to the conclusion that Twilight must have taken some inspiration from Pocahontas. Where else could you get such wooden characters and "fate brought us together" love story. Despite Aladdin's insensitivity to other cultures, it at least has memorable characters who actually learn some lessons from their journey. No matter how dumb Aladdin got, we still liked him. Can't say the same here. Last but not least, this film wastes the opportunity to go into environmentalism. All you have is a pretty little song from Pocahontas about respecting the nature but not a peep about it afterwards. It's a shame because there aren't really any kids' movies that delve deeply into the conflict between environmentalism and industrialism. This is why the villain is so weak, because he's not believable. It's ridiculous that disposing of one person would somehow result in natives and settlers living in harmony or resolve centuries of exploitation and injustice. That's just too naive, even for Disney.
Miscellaneous
Obviously the music's good, the best part of this fiasco. Disney managed much better with Moana in relation to depicting a non-Western culture. We can't say for sure how accurate it was as we don't know that much about Polynesian cultures, but it definitely felt more sincere.
This is the only Disney renaissance film that we didn't much care for as kids, apart from the music. Remember what we said about Aladdin being slightly racially tone-deaf? Yeah, Pocahontas takes the prize home. It's so much worse. In addition, it commits the ultimate crime for a children's movie - it's boring. For both kids and adults. We don't have a lot of nice things to say about this one. Sorry, all you Pocahontas lovers.
Characters
Pocahontas: she has the same fundamental flaw that each of the film's speaking characters have; she's boring. And it wouldn't be a Disney movie unless they were trying to recycle previous storylines. Pocahontas has exactly the same initial conflict as Belle, being a contrarian in a conformist culture. Also, her obsession with destiny really rubs us the wrong way. It doesn't have anything to do with native beliefs, instead it's more similar to what our Western culture thinks about destiny and supernatural things. She's not an authentic native character. Sure, her design is cool (aside from missing a nose).
John Smith: even Eric has more personality, and we call him Eric the generic! Like what does he learn from his dealings with native Americans? Nothing, he just has the hots for Pocahontas and wants some hanky-panky.
Ratcliffe: there's nothing to say really. He's hands down the worst villain of the renaissance. Even Mulan has a better villain. His motives are so cliché because they have no bearing in the actual story. He has no connection to either of the main characters, and thus is redundant. But the most gross offence is that he embodies all the evils of colonialism. He's the principal evil person - with the other white colonialists/settlers it's just a misunderstanding, folks!
Minor characters: the scenes with the animals make this movie bearable, which is a little ironic since their existence brings tonal dissonance to this exasperatingly serious story. Still, they are definitely the best thing about this film. The relationship between the raccoon and the pug is more believable and enjoyable than the love story with Pocahontas and John Smith.
Story
We came to the conclusion that Twilight must have taken some inspiration from Pocahontas. Where else could you get such wooden characters and "fate brought us together" love story. Despite Aladdin's insensitivity to other cultures, it at least has memorable characters who actually learn some lessons from their journey. No matter how dumb Aladdin got, we still liked him. Can't say the same here. Last but not least, this film wastes the opportunity to go into environmentalism. All you have is a pretty little song from Pocahontas about respecting the nature but not a peep about it afterwards. It's a shame because there aren't really any kids' movies that delve deeply into the conflict between environmentalism and industrialism. This is why the villain is so weak, because he's not believable. It's ridiculous that disposing of one person would somehow result in natives and settlers living in harmony or resolve centuries of exploitation and injustice. That's just too naive, even for Disney.
Miscellaneous
Obviously the music's good, the best part of this fiasco. Disney managed much better with Moana in relation to depicting a non-Western culture. We can't say for sure how accurate it was as we don't know that much about Polynesian cultures, but it definitely felt more sincere.
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