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Pocahontas (Disney)

Pocahontas (Disney)

List Price: $29.99
Your Price: $26.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of Disney's Boldest and Best Features
Review: Disney deserves a standing ovation for this one- superlative in all its elements, especially in its musical score (Alan Menken, can we ever sing your praises too loudly?) this is one of the most emotionally moving features produced by Disney in its entire history. The greatest strength in this solid tale of history and fantasy is the hero herself, Pocahontas. There have been numerous unforgettable Disney heroines: Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Esmerelda, Mulan, etc. NONE of these, howver, can compare to Pocahontas, so outstandingly is she depicted. Glen Keane's animation of this landmark toon creation is brilliant, and coupled with a sensitive voice performance courtesy Irene Bedard, Pocahontas becomes an institution all her own. The remaining characters are sufficiently developed, but are poor shadows in compariosn to this virtuoso peace maker. The animation is eye-popping and stunning, especially in the sequence "Just Around The River Bend" and the film's closing moments. Stephen Schwartz's penned love song to nature, "Colors of the Wind", is arguably the greatest Disney ballad of all time. Judy Kuhn deserves special mention for her resplendent vocals which careen effortlessly over Menken's score and through Schwartz's words. The film deals exclusively with the notions of white supremacy, manifest destiny, and British sovereignty, though there are more than a handful of good English folk around (only authoritative figures like the King and Ratcliffe are depicted as outright scum- and even that is done in a realistic manner- we are not dealing with an over-the-top Ursula here, delightful as she undoubtedly is). Parents should be prepared to answer plaintive questions about the historical development of America and the inevitable truth that Native Americans were displaced by white settlers. It is truly wonderful that Disney has opted to tell a story that questions bigotry and racism (you could even call this an anti-war drama) and for that alone we thank them.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not Disney's best
Review: This movie has its high points (a couple of good songs, some beautiful animation) but these moments are too rare to make Pocahontas truly enjoyable. The moralizing is constant and oppressive--even for a Disney film! Most of the characters are uninteresting in the extreme, and the typical comic relief animals are more annoying than in most animated fare.

I'm sure the kids will enjoy Pocahontas, but adults will find themselves cringing, groaning or yawning.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Buy Tarzan Instead
Review: This poking, plodding snoozer barely rates two stars. The songs are dreary and poorly rendered, and the plot is almost nonexistent. Everybody in America knows the Pocahontas legend and can state it in a paragraph; Disney fluffs it into 80 minutes of wooden characters and lousy songs. This movie has none of the zip of Alladin or Hercules, and none of the charm of The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. Unless you want to collect all the Disney animated shows, take a pass on this one and spend your money on Tarzan instead.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: DVD is bad quality
Review: You can read other's opinion on the actual movie. I just want to comment on how terrible the DVD resolution is. It looks as if we're watching a well worn video. Horrible pixalation. No where up to the transfers of A Bugs Life or Tarzan.

Ugh.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Limp. Very limp
Review: Now don't get me wrong. Check out my Mulan review and you'll see I like some Disney. I adored the Lion King, Aristocats, Aladdin, and the Toy Storys. But not this. The trouble with Pocahontas is that it just isn't that memorable. Pocahontas seems dull, not real at all, and John is just annoying. Meeko and Percy are ok, as is Thomas, but that's about it. The villain isn't either cool or horrible, the only good song is the war song, Disney took painful historical inaccuracies with the plot - and talking about plot, what's with the learning each other's language thing in 5 seconds? And the talking tree (I'm sorry, but she just really annoyed me.) There's no catchy lines - I think the whole movie was basically dull.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: fantastic
Review: When I heard Pocahontas was coming out on dvd I got excited, as it is one of Disney's greatest achievements. OK it doesnt have the pazazz of Aladdin or the stand out sequences such as the stampede in the lion king, but you really feel for the characters. The features on Pocahontas face are really touching, and boy is she cute! The music is fantastic, I particularly enjoy colours of the wind, but also the rousing chorus of savages, when pocahontas runs to save john smith. Alan Menkins score really adds impact to the emotional scenes. The one reason, this disc didn't win full marks wasn't for the quality of the film, but of the disc. The picture was remarkably grainy, the worst I have seen of a disney disc, even Pinocchio from the 1940's was crisper, come on disney ! Aside from that one gripe, I would recommend Pocahontas to anyone, the kids may find it a little slow, but they will find enjoyment in the escapades of flit, meeko and percy.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A nose dive for Disney
Review: Now just listen to me here. Imagine the disney movie life as pryimid. First we had Beauty and the Beast, then we had Aladdin, then the Lion King shot the Disney movie quality to the top of the pyrmid. Then came Pocahontas.

And Disney took a nose dive.

Making the classic tale of Pocahontas into a movie may have sounded like a good idea. But with all the crazy historical innacuricies you need to wonder what story it was actually based on. I'm sure by now you all know what really happened in the end. And John Smith's version of the tale was an exageration from the beginning (I have a friend that's related to our herione I know!) I do give it 2 stars for the music though, that was pretty good.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: WARNING: Very Bad DVD, Great Movie
Review: Too bad Disney didn't invest in a clean transfer to DVD. This DVD production is one of the worst I've ever seen (and we have over 300 DVDs). Plus, the first shipment of Pocahontas would not even play. The second shipment won't play past chapter 20. I'm sending it back for a second time now which, of course, frustrates the entire family. Not sure what to do about this one ... we want the movie in our collection, I guess we'll just have to keep trying. Amazon has been great about the returns.

As far as the movie, it's not quite the quality of 'Beauty and the Beast' but the story is full of action, romance, comedy and, as always, great music.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Wonderful Addition to a Disney Collection
Review: Pocahontas is a wonderful film, simple enough for younger kids to understand, yet complicated enough to hold even adults attention. When I first saw this movie, I was in first grade. I understood it perfectly, and even though I haven't seen the movie for years, I remember it perfectly. Memorable characters, such as Meeko, Flit, and of course Pocahontas, and wonderful acting. Great songs for a Disney movie, since usually they pretty much have the same basic instruments and tune but different words. If you have a child, or even if you don't this is a wonderful addition to any collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What can I say ABout JOHN SMITH
Review: Too bad he isn't real! Well when I sent to see this movie I fell in love with the romantic story, and beautiful music, and the rich score! (not to mention John Smith my favorite Disney Person) This DVD is even better than the VHS. The music was amazing and MOVING. Great soundtrack for the car! If you liked Mulan, or Hunckback this is a great DVD for you. It isn't a movie for kids, but they will love to see Purcy and Meeko. Very funny!

:)


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