I Can Cross Another Animated Classic off My List

[indianajdp]

Thursday and Fridays are "Block Days" at the Middle School I teach at, so periods are 105 minutes long. We have 7-8 Special Needs kids in class and we are starting to show them Disney Movies during 5th Period on Thursdays.

Today's film was Pocahontas!

First of all, why did no one mention the fact that David Ogden Stiers voiced a character? Or even Christian Bale? I'd have made a point to see this long ago had I known those guys were a part of the project.

Story-wise it was a pretty good...I thought the quality of animation looked weak in some points but in other areas it looked remarkably good. Unfortunately this was a VHS copy (no DVD player in the classroom yet) so I can't comment on the transfer, although it'd be a moot point anyway with the SE coming out in January.

I will say that I never really felt a strong connection with any of the characters in Pocahontas. Most of the Classics have that character or two that really capture your heart and bring you headfirst into this storyline. I just didn't feel that way about this one, but I probably need a 2nd viewing at home (with the SE next year) to completely make up my mind about it. I'm sure my daughter will enjoy the story though, especially Meeko.

[Loomis]

Firstly, I gotta say I admire the hell outta you for teaching. Not just special needs kids, but teaching at all! It is something I considered pursuing briefly, but I just don't think I'm cut out for it. Anyways...I digress!

First of all, why did no one mention the fact that David Ogden Stiers voiced a character? Or even Christian Bale?

As a matter of act, DOS does TWO characters (Governor Ratcliffe & Wiggins)! I think someone here has started referring to him as the Sterling Holloway of the new Disney, because he voices so many characters. Gotta love his work.

As far as the film itself goes, I have to say this has become a fond fave of mine. The idea of the film put me off a bit at first (not sure why - but it seemed too 'boring' from the trailers etc). However, having seen it a few times now, I can safely say it is up there for me.

I do look forward to the SE next year, although it does have a lot fo the stuff that is already on the R2/R4 release. Even so, nice to have a more complete set of this fine film.

Keep up the good work. What other films did you have in mind to show the class?

[indianajdp]

Well, we showed them The Jungle Book two weeks ago.
What I plan on doing is giving them a list of 5 or 6 choices each time and having them vote on what they want to watch. No sequels (except Fantasia 2000, Simba's Pride or Toy Story 2) ! I'm thinking next week we'll give them a choice between: Sleeping Beauty, Tarzan, Monster's Inc, 101 Dalmations, Pinocchio and Mulan.

Teaching Special Needs kids is hard work but can be extremely rewarding. I'm going back to school this winter to get my Masters degree so I can teach higher functioning kids (Autism, Attention Deficit, Learning Disabled, Emotionally Disabled, etc.). Right now I work mostly with lower functioning kids (Downs Syndrome, etc) and while they are such great kids I feel like I make more of a difference when I'm working with the higher level Special Needs students.

[herman_the_german]

Pocahontas is pretty good. Obviously not aimed at the smaller tykes. The only complaint could be the deviations from known History (I actually think the real story is better, with age differences and everything), but that is only a small caveat.

[Matty-Mouse]

I dont watch Disney for History I watch for entertainment so I don't care whether they took liberties. I love this film and think its a shame that so many people are so down on it.