Pocahontas (1995)

User Review

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  TheMovieDiorama

  6 / 10

  Pocahontas is brisker than the colours of the wind. Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon? No, me neither, and after watching this you wouldn't have either. Reason being is due to the extremely rapid pacing for a ridiculously short animation. These two fundamental detriments makes this a slight misfire from Disney. Captain John Smith sails across to "The New World" where he encounters Pocahontas who he madly falls in love with. The indigenous population is under threat from the wave of modern colonisation. Disney clearly have good intentions as they fictionalise the account of Native American Pocahontas in order to illustrate colonialism to a younger generation. The basic storytelling allows the intended audience to swan dive right into this romantic epic with the colourful animation and harmonious musical numbers. Let's face it, "Colours of the Wind" and "Just Around the Riverbend" are two of Disney's strongest original songs that imitate the natural idyllic environment that the animation conveys. For the more mature audience, the racial overtones throughout the narrative just aren't dealt with carefully. John Smith exclaiming "I prefer hello" as Pocahontas teaches him about her own linguistics just seems so careless, leaving a bad aftertaste. Pocahontas is one of the more famous Native Americans, the historical depiction surrounding her and the indigenous culture was highly inaccurate. However, I have to give praise to the narrative for carrying a surprisingly thoughtful message that allows the viewer to meditate on what is being shown. The use of colours plays a major role in this, especially when the colonials are deforesting the picturesque woods in which a dark blood red shade swamps the background. I appreciate the lack of humour, it enhances the seriousness of the film. The romance between the leads, much like the whole film, is brisk and feels slightly underdeveloped. The primary antagonist may metaphorically represent modernisation, but is hardly memorable. Having said all that, the film isn't necessarily bad, just underdeveloped and misrepresented.

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