Pocahontas

1995  G  ANIMATED  1h 22min

CAST— Irene Beddard, Judy Kuhn, Mel Gibson, David Ogden Stiers, John Kassir, Russell Means, Christian Bale, Linda Hunt, Billy Connelly, Frank Welker, Michelle St. John, James Apaumut Fall

MUSIC— Alan Menken  DIRECTORS— Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg

     Walt Disney Pictures brings to life another legendary romance, that of Pocahontas and John Smith. If only it were romantic (or interesting). Londoner John Smith sets sail for the New World with a crew of good hearted sailors led by a pompous windbag whose only ambition is to strike it rich on American soil. Upon arrival Smith is sent to scout for Indians and ordered to shoot to kill. Meanwhile, Native American Pocahontas, daughter of the chief, independent thinker, is watching from afar. She soon meets Smith and teaches him moral lessons that the kids are sure to miss. Beautiful animation is the highlight here; the big problem with the film is its many banal musical numbers, which seem to come every thirty seconds. See if you can count how many times they use the word “savages”. Oscar-winner for Best Score, Best Song (Colors of the Wind).

OUR RATING— **

FOLLOWED BY— Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998)