DVDizzy Forum

To be fair, Pocahontas does indeed suck

In my opinion, of course. I liked it as a kid but upon recent re-watching, it's amateur hour all over. I think it deserves it's reputation, not just because it doesn't stack up against other Renaissance films but because it's just a mess either way you look at it.

^what was so amateurish about it.

Okay, here's a project-watch pocahontas, take notes on what could be improved in which ways and how well the movie could be done with minimal drastic changes. example: the total removal of animal sidekicks or just changing them a bit and removing some of the comic moments?

Dear Disney Fans,

XXX!

I don't think anyone was claiming that the Disney Pocahontas was the same age as the Disney one, so if there was a controversy over that, it was just a group of people overreacting, like usual.

High five on your Pocahontas doll collection, Jackoleen! I've got all those too except for Kocoum. I'm not sure how I missed out on getting him, because I remember seeing him lots in the clearance aisle. I guess I never felt like he was necessary to my collection!

So, I was 12 when the movie came out and thought it was pretty much the most romantic thing ever. (This was a few years before <i>Titanic</i>, remember.) <i>Pocahontas</i> is a very flawed movie, but it's still good. I think what really hurt it was that it followed <i>The Lion King</i>, simple as that. When expectations are high, things are more likely to fail.

I was 7 when I saw Pocahontas in theaters(probably the only time I have seen it in its entirety). I have never considered it my favorite Disney film (though I have it on video and DVD). I always found it kind of boring. Maybe I should rewatch it though since it has been a long time since I have seen it fully.

That is crazy. The 90's Disney Animation Renaissance, or second (or third depending on your perspective) Golden Age ended with "Tarzan," NOT "Pocahontas." From "The Little Mermaid," to "Tarzan," while some where more popular then others and maybe did better at the box office, each of those films could run circles around anything else from that era, and a number of films at Disney before and after.

I understand that many people (like my 11th grade History teacher) hated "Pocahontas" for a number of reasons, maybe the biggest being that it was very far from being historically accurate. What I tell people who feel that way is that this film wasn't trying to be historically accurate, it was trying to focus more on putting the usual Disney twist on the legend and myth of Pocahontas, not the real woman. There is a difference. And maybe, it might even get kids interested in the real person. That happened to me when it came out.

jpanimation wrote:To be fair, Pocahontas does indeed suck

In my opinion, of course. I liked it as a kid but upon recent re-watching, it's amateur hour all over. I think it deserves it's reputation, not just because it doesn't stack up against other Renaissance films but because it's just a mess either way you look at it.

The lowest point of Disney Animation in the 90's was "Hunchback." Yes, I realize on this board, for reasons I'll never be able to understand, it seems all the "Hunchback" fans have clustered over here and love it. But seriously, compared to the other films of this ear, including "Pocahontas," it was the weak link.

"Pocahontas" was a film that suffered 1.) for being the film after "The Lion King," and 2.) for being a film based on a real person that was more inspired by the mythical elements of that real person instead of the real person herself.

milojthatch wrote: I understand that many people (like my 11th grade History teacher) hated "Pocahontas" for a number of reasons, maybe the biggest being that it was very far from being historically accurate. What I tell people who feel that way is that this film wasn't trying to be historically accurate, it was trying to focus more on putting the usual Disney twist on the legend and myth of Pocahontas, not the real woman. There is a difference. And maybe, it might even get kids interested in the real person. That happened to me when it came out.

True. That's the same way I feel about Hercules--or, honestly, any other Disney film--that gets complained about because it messes with the details. They're great because they draw people to the original source and get them interested in it.

I have a feeling Pocahontas was singled out for that criticism because it involved not-so-distant (American) history. In the year 3000 (or 2500, tops)--nobody would care. (I think another part of the backlash was Pocahontas' clear connection to environmentalism, which unfortunately is a polarizing topic--aye, very sad--I was honestly surprised that there wasn't a similar backlash following Pixar's WALL E, tbh)

having just looked on wikipedia(with plenty of salt) I only now see how Disney's version truly differs from the events that may have happened. There were apparently few open hostilities between the two races until 1609, and John Smith upon capture(1608) was given a feast and an interview. Not to mention he didnt meet pocahontas until *after* that happened.

Movies are so predictable by now, that history is interesting.

There's one thing I can confirm:

Haters of Pocahontas are big fans of Andrew Jackson.

But I hate Pocahontas and Andrew Jackson

I like Pocahontas, as well as the Hunchback. In my opinion it are more mature movies then little mermaid for example and the animation isn't that bad. I mean it is a different style, but done on purpose. If you look at Little Mermaid the animation isn't always spot on there either.
with both movies, Hunchback and Pocahontas, poducers weren't afraid to use themes like death and seduction. Both had endings that weren't typical happily ever after, but still satisfied you as viewer.

I think the problem with Pocahontas is that they didn't know how to handle the story, yes, you can have a serious subject, that doesn't mean you have to make it dull. Also I think this is one of those movies that doesn't lend itself very wel to make it a musical. And Mel Gibson sucks at singing.

Overall I think Pocahontas is a sadly neglected and dismissed movie. Even Disney don't seem to like it- Pocahontas is hardly ever seen in merchandise etc. I really don't understand why they seem to be embarassed about it. It was still a commercial success [just not a HUGE one], and I think at times it's quite beautiful, certainly one of their most romantic movies [though you have to see the director's cut to really get this]as well as daring to have a sad ending. Yes it bares little resemblence to the historical facts but so what?

I think it's the criticism that's keeping them from doing much with it.

King Louis 2010 wrote:Overall I think Pocahontas is a sadly neglected and dismissed movie. Even Disney don't seem to like it- Pocahontas is hardly ever seen in merchandise etc. I really don't understand why they seem to be embarassed about it. It was still a commercial success [just not a HUGE one], and I think at times it's quite beautiful, certainly one of their most romantic movies [though you have to see the director's cut to really get this]as well as daring to have a sad ending. Yes it bares little resemblence to the historical facts but so what?

I dunno if it's just me but it seems as if Disney's more embarrassed about Hunchback than they are about Pocahontas. Aside from Frollo appearing in any Villain themed parade and shows there's been a complete absence of Hunchback anywhere else. At least Pocahontas was incorporated into several park shows and had a 10th anniversary DVD release. Hunchback only had one minor DVD release about a decade ago since then.

toonaspie wrote:

King Louis 2010 wrote:Overall I think Pocahontas is a sadly neglected and dismissed movie. Even Disney don't seem to like it- Pocahontas is hardly ever seen in merchandise etc. I really don't understand why they seem to be embarassed about it. It was still a commercial success [just not a HUGE one], and I think at times it's quite beautiful, certainly one of their most romantic movies [though you have to see the director's cut to really get this]as well as daring to have a sad ending. Yes it bares little resemblence to the historical facts but so what?

I dunno if it's just me but it seems as if Disney's more embarrassed about Hunchback than they are about Pocahontas. Aside from Frollo appearing in any Villain themed parade and shows there's been a complete absence of Hunchback anywhere else. At least Pocahontas was incorporated into several park shows and had a 10th anniversary DVD release. Hunchback only had one minor DVD release about a decade ago since then.

That's sad, because I feel that Hunchback is the better movie.
They did incorporate The Hunchback of Notre Dame into Disneyland Paris when that existed five years in 1996, but that probably had more to do with the fact that it came out in the same year, and it's obviously a French story. They dressed up the castle in patterns similar to what Clopin and the gypsies wear, and had parades and such every day. That was the only time (so far) I've been into a Disney park, but it was fantastic to see.

Keep in mind Hunchback had a show at Disney-MGM Studios which extended its run several years due to popular demand. There's also a float in Tokyo's Easter Wonderland parade based on the movie.

Even though it took me almost 10 years before I ever saw it, Hunchback is actually a good movie. The embarrassment comes from the fact that it's more "adult" than what people expect from Disney animated features, which sounds like another missed opportunity.

Granted I have never been a fan of Pocahontas but I wouldn't go so far as to say it sucked, in my personal opinion no it wasn't one of Disney's best. But it was a good movie for kids, a bit of history as well and a great score. I myself still find the song Colors of The Wind going through my head every once in a while.

I also think that Pocahontas isn't the best Disney movie, I didn't watch it alot when I was a kid. I think that one of the problems is that the movie is too much aimed for adults instead of all ages. But I saw it again recently, and the animation is really beautiful, especially Pocahontas. And Colors of the Wind is one of Disney's most beautiful songs I think. Overall I think that the movie was just.. too boring maybe (the story), but still very good.

I also like Hunchback more than Pocahontas. I like the story of Hunchback more and the movie is also special to me because it's the only Disney movie with religious aspects in it.

(I'm sorry if I type something wrong, I'm Dutch )