Well everyone, now the time has come to look at “Pocahontas,” the 1995 Disney movie about the Native American girl, which isn’t historically accurate, but what little kid cares about something being historically accurate? Variety started off their review by saying, “Disney’s 33rd animated feature and its first drawn, so to speak, from an actual historic figure, Pocahontas hooks from the start, and all the studio’s signature elements – spirited animal sidekicks; wise, not necessarily human, advisers; evil, bumbling villains; natural visas breathtakingly heightened – are all in place.”
Pocahontas’ (Irene Bedard) father, Chief Powhatan (Russell Means), wants her to marry the bravest warrior, Kocoum (James Apaumut Fall), but she’s holding out for something more exciting. Then it arrives with John Smith (Mel Gibson), an adventurer with a group of rough, greedy, stupid men under the command of the rough, greedy, stupid Governor Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers, famous for playing Major Winchester in the hit series, MASH).
For Smith and Pocahontas, it’s like a lot of the other Disney movies where it’s love at first sight. He’s ruggedly blonde and she’s equally blessed with not only good looks but with the singing voice of Judy Kuhn.
Powhatan’s people fear these Englishmen barging into their land. Variety stated that, “Like Maria, Pocahontas has been marked for betrothal to an outstanding member of her tribe; like Tony, John Smith was his clan’s fiercest fighter until common sense – in this case, the natural beauty of the New World and the sight of Pocahontas – conspire to tame his heart.”
These Native Americans have been made with considerable care. Chief Powhatan and Kocoum are both quite grave. Variety said that, “Appropriately, there is not a tepee in sight (less appropriately, there’s hardly a wigwam, either), and the tribe is uniformly at one with nature.” Like basically all the Disney protagonist, Pocahontas’ mother has died when she was a child and she seeks the help of a talking tree, Grandmother Willow (Linda Hunt) and her animal companions include a raccoon named Meeko (John Kassir) and a Hummingbird named Flit (Frank Welker).
The Disney animators have created a colorful palette for the movie. The colors are intense and work with nature. The film’s theme song is Colors of the Wind, and the artists have taken that seriously. The Virginia air is always shining with radiance lights. The forests and mountains are colonially provided, and some effects – sunlight through the forests, the waterfalls – are amazing.
I actually went to Williamsburg, Virginia two years ago and I did hear the entire story. From what I can remember, the British people always sent the younger people to Virginia, but because they were not properly prepared, they died whenever they arrived from sickness. It wasn’t until either the third or fourth attempt that they sent the older people there, where John Smith was on. They found the Native Americans, but Pocahontas was only a child when they arrived. John Smith wasn’t the nice guy that they portrayed him as in the movie. He left because of rolling on to some gunpowder, and his skin was badly damaged. John Rolfe then came in, asked Powhatan for Pocahontas’ hand in marriage as part of a negotiating deal, and I probably do remember something about Powhatan telling someone that there was a Chesapeake tribe that I think he killed. Correct me about anything historical that I may have missed or confused. All I know is that this movie didn’t really follow anything historical about the actual event.
Next up we have one of the first Disney characters we see in his 1995 movie, “A Goofy Movie.” This movie is about Goofy, the loveable Disney dog, taking his son, Max, out on a road trip, against Max’s own wishes.
Goofy, voiced by Bill Farmer, has proved that determination can get you somewhere. While his friends Mickey and Donald have had most of the spotlight with top billing, hit features and more merchandise, Goofy satisfied himself with lesser roles and a less thrilling life.
Empire stated in their review, “True, he has sparked numerous late night discussions along the lines of "If Pluto's a dog, then what's Goofy?" but for the last 63 years that's about it. Now all is about to change as the septuagenarian is finally rewarded with his own starring role in his first feature.”
“A Goofy Movie” is a fairly low key animated feature from Disney, not having the visual quality of the company’s more generous summer epics, but still giving plenty of family entertainment. With no sign of Mrs. Goofy anywhere, Goofy is left raising Max, voiced by Jason Marsden (who was also in that horrendous sitcom “Full House” as Nelson Burkhard), as a single father. Since Max is a teenager, obviously Max doesn’t have time for his dad. He would much rather go out and imitate his favorite singer, Power Line (Tevin Campbell) or try and speak to his crush Roxanne (Kellie Martin). Goofy then decides that he wants to re-bond with Max, so he plans a cross-country road-trip.
Empire said, “The strained relationship between father and son and the need to work these emotional problems through is an increasingly dominant theme in American cinema, and A Goofy Movie fits in perfectly with that trend, lending an unexpected sensibility (plus nondescript songs) to propel things along.”
There’s just something that doesn’t seem right about a Disney movie that has so many modern references – from rap stars to stand-up comedian who was also on MTV, Pauly Shore, voicing one of Max’s friends – a feeling of detracting into areas they don’t really have a strong point in. But the strong point is the storytelling, and while this is minor, it’s still enjoyable. Especially the songs After Today and Eye-to-eye, which are so catchy they won’t get out of your head.
Well I hope everyone liked my review today, stay tuned for more reviews of “Disney Month” coming right at you.
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