Do You Like/Dislike "Pocahontas"?

rodis · Post by **rodis** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:39 pm

It strikes me everytime when I read reviews (whether on Amazon, Imdb or just critics' reviews) how unbeloved this film really is.
I remember when I watched it in its theatrical run and then on video, I loved it so much, and to this day, it remains a favorite of mine. I think the characters (for the most part), the animation, the music is so on par with the 'fab 4'. The sidekicks are a bit weak, but they do their job nontheless.
According to what I read, americans study the legend of Pocahontas at school? If so, I understand why 95% of US citizens hated the changes in the story. But I think for someone who hadn't heard of "Pocahontas" before, it should not bother AT ALL.
And still, too bad people can't accept the fact that it's a Disney film and is therefore targeted mainly at children rather than adults and hence the changes.
Interestingly, "Hunchback" and "Hercules" are considered disappointmens as well, though none was bashed as "Pocahontas" was.
Also, it's funny how certain people call it a commercial flop just because it didn't do "The Lion King" numbers. It did the exact same numbers as BATB (domestic and iternational box-office, soundtrack sales, VHS rentals).

Tangela · Post by **Tangela** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:42 pm

Despite being an insult to American History, I really enjoyed the movie.

Mushu2083 · Post by **Mushu2083** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:50 pm

I liked Pocahontas. It's a Disney film Disney isn't really known for being historically accurate. It's a kids' movie. I mean yes they wanted at least some things that were accurate but they had to make changes because the film is aimed at kids.

Mermaid Kelly · Post by **Mermaid Kelly** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 4:02 pm

I really like Pocahontas...it's one of my favorites. I think the Disney versions of stories turn out MUCH BETTER than their original stories (Pocahontas, Little Mermaid, etc.) So much more enjoyable.

JaYDiSNeY · Post by **JaYDiSNeY** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 4:53 pm

I LOVE POCAHONTS...its one of my favorites and is on par with the big 4...it has amazing music

i kno people say its an insult to american history cuz its not the truth at all whatsoever but i think its a compliment becuz pocahontas and john smith are actually good looking characters when in real life pocahontas was ugly and john smith was short, fat, and bald from what ive read

Sekaino Jasmine · Post by **Sekaino Jasmine** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 5:02 pm

I don't why people hate it so much. I thought it was a great movie!

...NAKOMA IS BETTER THAN POCAHONTAS!

jambo*rafiki · Post by **jambo*rafiki** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 5:07 pm

What are the 'fab four'? I'm guessing Snow White, Cinderella, Lion King and BATB. Anyway, I love Pocahontas! It's a great movie with timeless songs. And as for the history piece . . . obviously the movie version isn't 'historically accurate', I mean, there's a talking tree . . .

karlsen · Post by **karlsen** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 5:10 pm

I never liked Pocahontas or Hunchback for that mather.

My view is that if you can't make a "Disney story" out of the real story without ruining it then you should find another story.

... and I agree that those real storys (one real life and the other a novel) are not suteble for a kid movie.

JaYDiSNeY · Post by **JaYDiSNeY** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 5:23 pm

jambo*rafiki wrote:What are the 'fab four'? I'm guessing Snow White, Cinderella, Lion King and BATB. Anyway, I love Pocahontas! It's a great movie with timeless songs. And as for the history piece . . . obviously the movie version isn't 'historically accurate', I mean, there's a talking tree . . .

ive always heard the fab 4 referred 2 as BATB, Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and the Lion King

but i could be wrong

karlsen · Post by **karlsen** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 5:33 pm

... and I thought the Fab 4 was the members of the Beatles.

oh, I forgott. Most of you are to young to know them.

Joe Carioca · Post by **Joe Carioca** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:01 pm

“Pocahontas” is a very special film to me, because it was one of the Disney features that started my passion for animation. I watched it in theaters and immediately fell in love with it. I had lots of Pocahontas merchandise, books, and products… The same thing happened with “Hunchback of Notre Dame”. At the time “Toy Story” was the hot one, but I didn’t care very much about it… I was a really big fan of “Pocahontas” and “Hunchback”, what is ironic, because they are two of the most maligned Disney films.

Now I see why the American people don’t like “Pocahontas” that much. It is because they know the real story of Pocahontas and that she was a real person. In other parts of the world, most people don’t know about it, so it doesn’t matter for them. The thing is, “Pocahontas” was the right movie in the wrong time. “The Lion King” was the watermark for Disney animation. Everybody should know that they couldn’t go any upper than that. Still, Disney executives were mercenary, and they thought that every Disney feature from now on should make 400 million dollars. So, imagine the surprise when “Pocahontas” made 141 million dollars in theaters. It is an impressive amount of money (specially today, when we know that a lot of Disney movies would love to be such a ‘flop’), but for Disney it wasn’t enough. The movie sold lots of merchandise and grabbed two Oscars. It wasn’t enough.

I think that the dislike of some people for “Pocahontas” and “Hunchback” is because they are very different from what Disney had done before. Picture this, people went to see “Pocahontas” expecting to be a new “Lion King”. But “Pocahontas” is a much more daring film. It touches adult themes never before explored in a Disney movie. Pocahontas and John Smith are characters that feel like real people, and their romance would play well in any live-action movie. And the ending… how could you expect an ending like that in a Disney movie? Really, people weren’t prepared for Pocahontas.

For me, “Pocahontas” is and will always be a five-star movie, part of the Golden Age. It doesn’t matter if people think it is historically inaccurate (which it is, but Disney movies aren’t supposed to be like history books) and if it wasn’t successful (and we know it was!).

jambo*rafiki · Post by **jambo*rafiki** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:50 pm

JaYDiSNeY wrote:
jambo*rafiki wrote:What are the 'fab four'? I'm guessing Snow White, Cinderella, Lion King and BATB. Anyway, I love Pocahontas! It's a great movie with timeless songs. And as for the history piece . . . obviously the movie version isn't 'historically accurate', I mean, there's a talking tree . . .
ive always heard the fab 4 referred 2 as BATB, Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and the Lion King

but i could be wrong

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

Loomis · Post by **Loomis** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:50 pm

The problem I find with Pocahontas is that is does not come down to a matter of whether I like/dislike it (as that would be a matter of personal taste). I find it hard to say whether it is good or bad, because it is...well...neither. It just is. And I think that is the problem. Pocahontas is by no means a bad film, as it has some beautiful animation and moments. The problem I find with Pocahontas is that it is exceedingly bland.

When Disney dealt with "indians" in the past, it referred to them as such, and many a sterotype was made, all of which Leonard Maltin has officially apologized for. Now, in an attempt to make up for the wrongs of their past, whenever Disney deals with a racially sensitive topic (in this case Natgive Americans), or any film that deals with a non-white culture, it treads carefully so that it dare not offend anyone. This is a wise decision on their part politically, but I wonder - is Disney treading so carefully as to make the films bland? Does a hyper-sensitivity to the letter-writing public create a artistic freeze?

It is that age old dilemma - if you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody. I think the same applies here: if you try not to effend anybody, you please nobody. Take for example Prince of Egypt. Moses is a major figure is a number of major religions. You don't want to mess that up. However, POE was one of the most boring pieces of animation to ever be put down on film. And they still offended people with that wacky chariot race.

I do actually like Pocahontas, because at the heart of it there is a simple love story and I am a sucker for a love story. However, to me at least, the rest of the film feels as though it is worried about offending someone. Perhaps that is justified. But remember - the people who right letters to complain are not normal people. LIFE is offensive. I find a lot of things offensive. Where do I send my letters? I think as long as Disney tries to cater to the letter writing minority - rather than treating sensitive issues in a way adults would understand, and START by assuming your audience isn't stupid (and don't say "they are largely kids" because most kids know what time it is) then we can have movies that deal with "issues" and be fun and entertaining at the same time.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:51 pm

I feel bad, but I really didn't ever get into Pocahontas. I found the story boring and the animation was not stunning to me. I think that Grandmother Willow really turned me off, it seemed sacrilegious to Native American culture. But I don't want to sound like I want it edited like Fantasia or something!

indianajdp · Post by **indianajdp** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:59 pm

I find it tolerable...my daughter LOVES it.
That's enough incentive for me

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:09 pm

It's been a while since I've seen Pocahontas, but I was very much into it when it first came out. It didn't really have anything to do with the movie though - I was just very much into all product Disney was putting out in the early 90's. So, I can't say I'm entirely sure I'd like it now, though I suspect I would. The stylized animation is great, and while it's not as fun as other Disney projects, it makes a good drama overall, I think.

Lady · Post by **Lady** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:35 pm

i love pocahontas. the story is romantic and i really like the song "if I never knew you". i can't wait till the movie comes out on DVD and gets the digital restoration it so deserves.

AwallaceUNC · Post by **AwallaceUNC** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:30 pm

To me, it's just "eh." I like it alright, I 'spose. The songs are better than the movie, though.

karlsen wrote:... and I thought the Fab 4 was the members of the Beatles.

oh, I forgott. Most of you are to young to know them.

I thought you were a youngster, too... or have I mixed you up with someone else (sorry if I have). But hey, I'm only 18, and I like the Beatles a lot

-Aaron

Prince Adam · Post by **Prince Adam** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:04 am

Lady wrote:i love pocahontas. the story is romantic and i really like the song "if I never knew you". i can't wait till the movie comes out on DVD and gets the digital restoration it so deserves.

My thoughts exactly. And if I hated the entire movie, the end scene with Pocahontas running to the top of the cliff to wave good-bye is amazing.

Another point I love is that it shows both sides as savages. Not just the Natives, not just the Europeans, but both.

MickeyMouseboy · Post by **MickeyMouseboy** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:22 am

who cares about american history?

I love pocahontas! the music is the best! and the animation is the best of it!

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