We’ve all heard the legend of Pocahontas in school, how she guided John Smith around the new world when he first arrived and worked toward smoothing relations between the Native Americans and the Colonists. Disney turned this into a major motion picture in 1995, putting their own spin on the story and incorporating some mischievous animals, a Disney trademark.
Pocahontas is supposed to be preparing for her marriage to Kocoum, but she feels discontent with her life. Something keeps calling to her, telling her that destiny has another purpose for her. Very in tune with nature and the forces that dwell therein, she goes to visit Grandmother Willow, who is, in fact, a talking tree, to get her advice. Together they decide that all signs are pointing toward a different path for Pocahontas.
When she sees an arrow flying through the air, she recognizes it as something from a dream. She follows the arrow, discovers John Smith (voiced by Mel Gibson -how did they get that lucky) as the shooter, and they strike up a friendship almost immediately. He has come to claim the land for England, but she explains to him that the earth is something you can’t own. You treasure it and take care of it, but you don’t possess it. He has never thought such a thing in his life, and he finds her refreshing in her outlook.
When Kocoum finds out that Pocahontas has made a new friend, he is angry, and her father is upset that she has been helping the white men to come in and take over their land. She can’t explain that John isn’t like that, that he’s a friend. Tensions run high as she tries to follow the path she feels is her destiny, and yet remain faithful to her people.
I liked and yet I did not like this film. I felt that Disney was trying a little too hard to capture the children’s attention with the little pug dog and the raccoon they kept insinuating onto the screen. There was also a strong, yet subtle, message of environmental protection woven throughout the whole plot. Additionally, history suggests that Pocahontas was roughly thirteen when she met John Smith, and yet movie makers have, for years, tried to make them romantically involved, as does this film. But I tell you what; you watch it and decide for yourself. You just may like it a great deal.
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