‘POCAHONTAS’ 30 YEARS LATER: CELEBRATING THE POPULAR DISNEY FILM
In June, thirty years ago, the ‘colors of the wind’ Disney film made its mark on cinematic “history.” Because of this, it’s time to mark Pocahontas 30 years later. The film gave us beautiful music, colorful animation and a heroine we want to root for.
LIST | SEVEN REASONS TO WATCH ‘IT HAD TO BE YOU’ AS IT CELEBRATES 25 YEARS!
‘POCAHONTAS’ 30 YEARS LATER: CELEBRATING THE POPULAR DISNEY FILM. Spotlighting #Pocahontas, the beloved #Disney film 30 years later. #MovieAnniversary Share on XThe story is about Pocahontas, obviously, and the meeting she has with John Smith. Theirs isn’t a smooth meet-cute or easy possible romance or friendship, but they defy the odds and form a friendship that isn’t simple or uncomplicated. On June 23rd, this film made its mark at the big screen thirty years ago, and so this is the month we have to celebrate this one. It’s been years since I last watched this movie, and despite this, I want to revisit some of the things we love best about this film.
POCAHONTAS 30 years later
THE ANIMATION
According to the film’s trivia, the animation for this title took five years to put together. It’s also a film that is considered one of the best as far as the realism of the colors and animation. The trivia also states that animators regard this as being “one of the hardest movies ever produced by the studio.” It has “complex color schemes, angular shapes, and facial expressions” that required those five years.
In 2019, trivia says that frequent composer partner with Disney, Alan Menken has said that he doesn’t thing that a live action film would ever be made for this because “that story is going to be difficult. With modern sensibilities, it’d be hard.” Here’s the thing, Disney seems super comfortable “offending” certain people and already has if you look at their many controversies surrounding their live-action films. If they are comfortable being “offensive” to certain loud voices (and I get it, there are loud voices), but not other types of people, well, then I see them as being most interested in telling stories with an agenda aimed as those certain people, rather than being storytellers who just want to tell a good story. Telling this story should still happen because I think it’s worth it.
THE HEROINE
This is a given, but who doesn’t love Pocahontas. She’s feisty and fierce and fabulous. She is also the kind of heroine we can root on because of her strength rather than because she does or tries to do something that is unwise. She is protective and smart, and I admire that we get to see a heroine, even if it is in an animated film, like that.
This also feels like a heroine who, while not free of “restraints,” was also introduced in our lives before it became such a “hot button” issue to have a story about different people learning different things. To be fair, I also wouldn’t have “known” if this did spark controversy (and there was some ill reception for the film), but I think it released in a chiller time when we just loved the “adventure” of the film. So, in this way, Pocahontas was a heroine who don’t have to come with some big agenda. I think instead we met her in a quieter time, even if it was only so because social media didn’t exist, which means we admire her without complication of “loud” voices.
THE MUSIC
It’s kind of a given to say that we love the music in any Disney film, but I think there are a few that are better that others. This is one of the tiles that fits that. Who among us hasn’t sung (probably at the top of our lungs) ‘Colors of the Wind’ through the years? If you’re like me, it’s been lots of times in my childhood.
THE SIDEKICKS
I love the animal friends and sidekicks in this film. Plus, where else can you see or find a racoon who is as cute as Meeko. Adorable and cute, and fun, plus we also love the little pug dog too right? In short, everyone is fun and these sidekicks are classic besties for a Disney heroine.
Stream at publication with Disney+; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
Do you love this fan favorite Disney film? What do you like about Pocahontas 30 years later? Do you have a favorite scene or thing or memory about the film? If so, comment all of your favorites below? Let’s talk.
Thank you for visiting; please return again soon.
PINTEREST PIN – SAVE & SHARE
