Disney Thirty Days #21

[eastofthemoon]

Day #21: An overrated movie



First off, I have to say that Colours of the Wind is one of my favorite Disney songs and I don't mind when Disney makes a well known story more family friendly, especially when you consider how dark some of their original source materials can be, such as the Grim Brothers fairy tales and don't get me started on the Greek myths.

With all that said, I picked Pocahontas because doing that type of movie on a real historical figure is A LOT harder to swallow. (Yes, I know Mulan is argued to have really existed but since she's more shrouded in mystery it doesn't drive me as crazy.)

Here are some real facts about Pocahontas.

1. She was a lot younger than she was in the movie, somewhere between 12-14 I think.
2. She and John Smith were friends BUT NOT LOVERS
3. The whole "beheading" that Pocahontas was famous for saving John from, there's actually a lot of evidence showing that it was actually an adoption ritual for making John Smith part of their tribe. It was suppose to symbolize dying and being reborn as part of the tribe.

Also, am I think only person thinking that Pocahontas being married to Kocoum wouldn't have been so bad? I know he was "so serious" but considering Pocahontas was such a free spirit that actually might have been a good balance for her and vice versa. That might have been why her father agreed to the marriage in the first place. Just a thought.



Day #1: Your favorite character
Day #2: Your favorite princess
Day #3: Your favorite heroine
Day #4: Your favorite prince
Day #5: Your favorite hero
Day #6: Your favorite animal
Day #7: Your favorite sidekick
Day #8: Your favorite villain
Day #9: Your favorite original character (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc.)
Day #10: Your favorite song
Day #11: Your favorite love song
Day #12: Your favorite villain song
Day #13: Your least favorite song
Day #14: Your favorite kiss
Day #15: The first movie you saw
Day #16: Your favorite classic
Day #17: Your least favorite classic
Day #18: Your favorite Pixar film
Day #19: Your least favorite Pixar film
Day #20: Favorite sequel
Day #21: An overrated movie
Day #22: An underrated movie
Day #23: A movie that makes you laugh
Day #24: A movie that makes you cry
Day #25: Your favorite scene from your favorite movie
Day #26: Saddest death
Day #27: Your favorite quote
Day #28: Your favorite theme park Changed to: Favorite Disney animated TV Series
Day #29: Your favorite theme attraction Changed to: Your Least Favorite Disney animated TV Series
Day #30: Your favorite theme park show Changed to: Your Favorite Live Action Disney Film

Comments

[dqbunny.livejournal.com]

Hear!! Hear!!! *claps, cheers and whistles*

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

Pocahontas marrying Kocoum would have been bad, yes, since it's not at all historically accurate. Pocahontas did actually marry outside of her race, wedding the Englishman John Rolfe. (Not that I recommend seeing Disney's sequel.) 'Pocahontas' isn't even her real name but a nickname given to her that meant "little mischief". Obedient and submissive daughter she was not. ^_-;

Anyway, I can't fault Disney for the changes it made. I don't really care that they aged Pocahontas up and John Smith down since in our current society, it is not at all proper for young girls and older men to be interested in each other, but back in the day it was common practice. Plus, Pocahontas did a lot of good for the early settlers, so it's nice that her legend gets passed on to future generations. (That said, it's a shame Sacagawea continues to disappear into obscurity.)

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I would have liked if She would have been a little girl like she was usppose to be. They could have thrown in some family aesops, have John Smith play a fatherly or brotherly role... I dunno.

[noseless-wonder.livejournal.com]

I agree with your opinion. Messing with the historical facts a little isn't enough to really ruin the movie for me, but it definitely interrupts the enjoyment. Plus, I don't really see what would be wrong with a movie that featured mixed genders who weren't romantically involved. I know it's less dramatic, but if the story's strong, you don't have to worry about that as much. (I could be biased though; my best friend in the world is a guy)

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

I agree on EVERYTHING you say about this!

And why can't any of the animals talk like in other Disney films?

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Also, am I think only person thinking that Pocahontas being married to Kocoum wouldn't have been so bad? I know he was "so serious" but considering Pocahontas was such a free spirit that actually might have been a good balance for her and vice versa. That might have been why her father agreed to the marriage in the first place. Just a thought.

The interesting thing about Kocoum is that he was a lot more affectionate, jovial, and lovable in the original script (if this deleted song is any indication anyway):



When I discovered this song I was a little bummed that Disney opted to suck all the personality out of Kocoum in the final film. I assume they did it so it would be easier for the audience to root for John Smith and Pocahontas to hook up.
I bet they also did it to make his death less depressing for the audience. But it still strikes me as a total cop out. Mainly because seeing the happy Kocoum from the deleted scene go into a jealous rage and then get killed would have had a stronger impact.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't call Pocahontas "over rated". I don't know about the average movie-goer, but I know that just about every animation nut I'm acquainted with hates the living hell out of that movie.


I loved Pocahontas when I was a kid. But it lost some it's appeal as I grew up. Not because of the historical inaccuracies (honestly, anyone who expects Disney movies to function like documentaries is an idiot who needs to pull the stick out of their nether regions); but because of the story issues the movie had.

The first time I watched the Pocahontas, I thought it was pretty ballsy of Disney to end the movie with John Smith leaving instead of living happily ever after with Pocahontas. But now that I think about it...if they were going to have John Smith leave anyway, why didn't Disney just make John and Pocahontas platonic friends like they were in real life instead of crafting a cheesy, melodramatic "Romeo and Juliet" romance for them.

And I know this goes without saying; but the sequel was just pathetic. It was so obvious that Disney was just trying to fix the historical inaccuracies they got criticized for. It might have been okay if John Smith had stayed dead instead of popping up at the end of the movie and saying "Hey guys! Turns out I wasn't murdered after all! Lucky me!". But, since he was alive, we got a really awkward break up scene before Pocahontas runs off with John Rolfe:
-Pocahontas: "Hey John Smith. I'm glad you're not dead. But when I thought you were worm food, I fell pretty hard for this other English dude named John. So it's over between us. No hard feelings, right?"
-John Smith: "It's cool baby. My true love is the ocean, anyway"
-Pocahontas: "Awesome! I'm gonna go make out with John Rolfe now. Bye!"