Truly enchanting, though it still has some flaws

Rating: 8/10 (31 July 2007)

Your experience of "Pocahontas" depends of what view your looking from. If you expects a historical lesson, you are on the wrong movie. If you expects a film similar to "Aladdin" or "The Lion King", you'll be disappointed. But if you are gonna take this movie for what it is, you'll experience an enchanting and magical film, although it has some flaws that doesn't make it reach higher.
"Pocahontas" is the Disney flick many loves to hate. Once I understood the hatred. Ironically, I loved this movie after seeing it for the first time on the theater, but during the years every view of this film became variable. Now I truly appreciate this movie, although - again - it has some flaws, which unfortunately mess up what could otherwise be an masterpiece.
But lets talk about it later.
"Pocahontas" is, actually, a very lively and vibrating film, with many fast camera swoops (resembling Mike Gabriel previous and underrated film, "Rescuers Down Under"). The animation is stunningly beautiful. The colors of art director Mike Giamo are rare and special. The filmmakers have succeed to make the forest an enchanting place.
"Pocahontas" is also a more moody film, accompanied with Alan Menken's most beautiful and complex score made for an Disney film (is it just me, or does this score resembles the "Beauty and the Beast" score?).
The songs are successful too, personally I liked them all, except "The Virginia Company", which didn't gave me anything. Otherwise, each song is enchanting and fills the story on its own merits (although "Savages" does have very hard hitting lyrics).
The characters are drawn in a more angular way and it's obvious that the animators had many live action reference during making the expression of the human characters faces, which resembles real people. The Indians are presented in a very authentic way (by giving them Indian words), which are something to give "Pocahontas" a more authentic and mature feeling.
Pocahontas herself is beautiful and wise, but she may be to complex for children to relate to. John Smith is an likable guy, although Mel Gibson's voice feels stoic. I liked Meeko, Ben, Lon and Thomas, the other characters were dull and boring (especially the uncharismatic Nakoma). I used to like Grandmother Willow, but now I find her a little annoying, actually. While most of the voice actors performs well, Russell Means (Chief Powhatan) really stands out, along with Billy Connolly (Ben) and Joe Baker (Lon).
The film is preachy, yes, but I liked the message, cause it's actually a good and important one; taking care of the nature and each other. I usually like Disney climax scenes, but I confess that in 1995 I found it refreshing that Disney tried something new with not having a big battle at the end (although I still wonder how the film would be then).
But now I'm gonna mention the flaws: "Pocahontas" stood out to be different from is Disney predecessors for having more serious story - and this film is one of Disney's most serious, with an almost bitter tone. I think this film fits more to the adults than the kids, referring to the complexity of the love story and the mature feeling of the film.
That case of Ratcliffe being a weak villain isn't one of the worst issues (for me). More worse is the script, who's straightforward and narrow. The film wants to be a drama, but feels rather bitter than actually dramatic. When the tension between the settlers and the natives speeds up, there's not much to light up the mood and that makes "Pocahontas" more heavy-handed.
The speechless animals stands for the comedy, but I still think the directors should had overview the movie before releasing it, cause there are some parts where the comedy doesn't fit. Of the animals I liked only Meeko, Percy and Flit were uncharismatic. I saw "The Lion King" three times and "Pocahontas" twice at theaters and the audience laughed most during "Pocahontas".
Another weak part is, actually, the ending. Not because the lovers don't get together, no, practically because the only unhappy Disney-ending feels forced, rushed and out of context. It seem stupid that Smith would randomly be wounded by Ratcliffe, for then be send back to England and would probably die during the trip. And Pocahontas actually had the chance to go with him. I wish that Disney would stick to their original ending, where Nakoma explains Poca why she shouldn't leave and where they're singing the final words of "If I Never Knew You" when Smith is lifted up to the ship. At least Disney succeed to make the tragic ending overwhelmingly sad, actually the most saddest Disney moment ever.
Speaking of "If I Never Knew You": I thought it was wise to cut the song and then put it back on the DVD ten years later. It's a complex and adult song, which would be to complex for the kids and actually I don't think I would like to sit during that song on the theater if I were a kid (since I saw this movie on theater as an 11-years old). But it's a beautiful song.
If you manage to look through all the flaws and take this film for what it is, you'll have an enchanting experience. The rest is up to you.