Good soundtrack. Good artwork. Good storyline. Good Movie.

Rating: 10/10 (11 January 2010)

So I've spent some time reading the reviews after seeing why people gave it around a 6/10 at the time of my writing this. The main reasons I came up with are:
1. Historical inaccuracy (poor depiction of Native American lifestyle, relations between settlers and Natives, and untrue account of the "real" Pocahontas story). 2. Didn't like the people who voiced the characters. 3. Didn't think it was as good as the other Disney movies. 4. Felt the themes were too "adult" oriented, and were not for Children. 5. Exact opposite of 4. 6. Didn't make them laugh enough. 7. Absolutely no legitimate reason other than they didn't like it, but still felt compelled to give it 1 star and write a 3-scentence summary of the plot.
Let me start by giving the movie 10/10, to compensate for the 1 star ratings which are completely unwarranted, and say that really the film deserves around an 8/10. In response to the summarized criticisms.
1. If you don't like historical inaccuracy, the solution is to stop watching movies. Historical films are enjoyable, but I don't think many people find their accuracies to be the most enjoyable thing about them. I don't see how this film could offend Native Americans. Does anyone know Pocahontas personally? As far as I'm concerned, this movie has a refreshingly original storyline that is almost completely fictional! I don't think anyone's playing it in the history classes, just the same as they aren't playing "The Little Mermaid" in Oceanography classes. It's a Disney movie for God's sake, I don't think anyone relies on them for serious historical information, and if "the kids" happen to believe that's what things were really like, then just read them the real story and have fun watching them cry-- then, 15 years later when they may actually understand/care who Pocahontas really was and what relations between the settlers and Natives were like, they can watch it again and perhaps appreciate the imagination it took to transform a story like that into something children would actually enjoy. 2. Only complaints I read were in reference to Mel Gibson. Apparently he has a "boring" voice. I think the three or so people who mentioned that may be the only three people on the planet who think that, but nonetheless, I think he fit the character well, and he did all his own singing! John Smith is not an over-the-top bubbly character. He is a serious man, and he speaks in a manly, somewhat reserved tone. However, he expresses anger and tenderness as well, and Mel Gibson voices both of those emotions very accurately. 3. I also saw a lot of "in the shadow of" comments. This movie has virtually the same cocktail as other Disney movies. Stunning animation, a brilliant soundtrack (by the same guy who did almost all the other soundtracks), a princess, a prince (of sorts), and a villain who loses in the end. How can the different setting and story make it that much worse than any of the other movies? 4&5. The fact that the critiques are opposite of each other illustrates the core misunderstanding behind both of them. Certain parts of the movie are geared towards children. Other parts, towards adults. Ultimately the movie aims to please both children and adults. In the original edit, a love song between Smith and Pocahontis was cut when test-screenings revealed that kids got bored with it too fast, and wanted to see more action. However, the film still contains relevant adult themes. It is a mistake to critique the movie for not catering entirely to one audience, as that was not its goal in the first place. 6. Disney movies always try to include comedic moments, but Pocahontas is definitely one of the more serious/sad films. It's not a comedy though, so I don't see why anyone would pan it for not having enough laughs. Where Pocahontis tries for levity, it achieves it on some level, and where it strives for poignancy it succeeds. Generally, I don't think the slapstick between Pocahontas' animal friends is at the core of the movie, however, it is enough to get a chuckle out the audience (even some of the more mature members). 7. Trolls, trolls, trolls, trolls, trolls. People who hated the movie sooo much, they felt compelled to go to IMDb, and vomit their low rating with no supporting explanation.
In conclusion, I think that Pocahontas remains one of the Disney Renaissance's timeless classics. Alan Menkin did a beautiful job with the soundtrack, which is filled with many memorable songs including "Colors of the Wind" (which carries with it a unique emotional depth). The artwork in the film is done completely to Disney standards, and the storyline, which is slightly more mature than those of other Disney films, takes an imaginative, fictional leap away from the history that inspired it, while adding a genuinely good message about love, culture, and the wonders of nature.