The movie is terrible... if you compare it to the classics before it.

Rating: 5/10 (8 November 2012)

Pocahontas was the first Disney film released after the Disney Renaissance, which includes films like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, or The Lion King. If you are going to compare Pocahontas to any of those masterpieces, the film is horrendous. But as a film on its own, it's not terrible, even though I am not fond of it.
My biggest complaint about the film is that it's basically a re-telling of how the new land was founded, even though they made most of it up. Come on, we've heard this story many times. But they do also want to connect us with nature, and animals. "Colors of the Wind" is a good example of this but I'll get to the songs in just a minute. I find it ironic that the story wants to connect with nature, but animals can't talk. I have one more question about that, however. How come the animals can't talk, but the tree Pocahontas talks to can? I don't get it.
Speaking of her, she's not very interesting, and neither is John Smith. I find that odd because Mel Gibson voices him. In addition to my other complaints, I do not like Governor Ratcliffe. Is he even supposed to be the villain everyone claims he is? To me, he's just some gold-obsessed person who thinks the Indians are evil. Jafar I consider a villain. Maleificant is another I believe to truly be evil. Ratcliffe, on the other hand, is just some guy who wants gold and has decent military skills.
Anyway, I have one more complaint, and then I will talk about the good stuff. Why are all the Indians copper skinned, and all the British folk have white skin? I know this is a kids film, but no racism! Anyway, I love the songs in this film, especially "Savages" and "Colors Of The Wind". I know Alan Menken, the same guy who did songs for Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid made these songs, but I honestly feel this is some of his best work. And speaking of colors, this film has an excellent design and very colorful imagery. The characters and backgrounds look amazing. I also love the raccoon that accompanies Pocahontas. This guy is very funny. I love how he's basically a bully to the spoiled dog. I also like how one of my favorite actors, Christian Bale, is in this film.
In conclusion, I consider this film to be one of the weaker Disney films. It's not Home on the Range bad, but I didn't like this one.