Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World

Next up in “Disney Sequel Month” is the 1998 direct-to-video sequel, “Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World.” I first heard about this when the first “Pocahontas” aired on ABC, if I remember correctly, and after the movie was over, an animator had announced the sequel being released the next year. After that, he showed a music video of the song Where do I go from here? Here is what I thought of the movie:

Joe Leydon of Variety started his review out by saying, “There’s a hint of “Pygmalion” to “Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World,” a direct-to-video sequel to the 1995 Disney animated hit.” The film is too plain and standard to produce much interest from sensitive adults, but small children – mainly those who really enjoyed the first movie in theaters – will undeniably want to play it again and again. Expect good, if not spectacular, money being made through buying the movie and renting it.

After a small build-up in colonial Jamestown, the sequel follows Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) on a journey to England, where she wishes to talk the king (Jim Cummings) out from ordering a British-Indian War. John Rolfe, voiced by Billy Zane, a handsome royal emissary, provides as guide, host and traveling friend for the Native American in this new country. Unavoidably, Pocahontas and John Rolfe fall in love with one another. However, Pocahontas continues to have feelings for John Smith (Donal Gibson, Mel Gibson’s brother), who’s missing and is thought of as dead after another fight with the returning villain Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers).

Ratcliffe has convinced the king that every one of the Native Americans in and around Jamestown are dangerous savages. To answer his insult, Pocahontas learns how to look, dress and dance like the British so she can impress everyone at the Royal Hunt Ball. Which doesn’t come as a surprise, Ratcliffe tries to attack her entrance into high society.

Leydon said, “Compared with Disney’s more lavish animated features, “Pocahontas II” is strictly a B-team effort.” The character movements are less flowing, the backgrounds less detailed and the colors far less animated. However, the voice acting is first-rate. Zane is especially successful as the singing and speaking voice for John Rolfe, Bedard makes a welcome return as the voice of Pocahontas, while Judy Kuhn once again sings for the protagonist.

Leydon ended his review by saying, “The new songs by Marty Panzer and Larry Grossman are serviceable without being truly memorable. (Don’t expect another “Colors of the Wind” here.) But the closing-credits number, “Between Two Worlds,” gets a solid rendition by Zane and Kuhn, and might receive some radio airplay.”

Now, as I stated last year when I reviewed the first movie, I understand that the movies are not historically accurate, but they are fine entertainment to hold your kids attention. I think that this movie is definitely as good as the first one, but if you don’t like this or either of them, I completely understand. I thought that it was fine, even though it may not be as good as the first. Just watch it and see for yourself.

Spoilers about the history: it wasn't until I was in eighth grade when I found out about the historical accuracy about the Pocahontas story. Plus, as you remember last year when I told about my trip to Jamestown, Virginia, I was reminded that Pocahontas had died on the ship ride back to Jamestown. Theories have ranged from pneumonia, smallpox, tuberculosis, and even poisoning. What the real case is, I cannot say, but kids who loved the Pocahontas movies would be saddened to find out about what historically happened. Even still, these are good movies for children.

Stay tuned tomorrow where we look at one of the few “good” direct-to-video sequels in “Disney Sequel Month.”