Pocahontas

Good offering from Disney. 'Pocahontas' is an enjoyable flick from 1995. The animation is lovely, while the voice cast each do fine jobs. The premise raises noteworthy thoughts regarding British colonisation. It isn't perfect and isn't in-depth by any means, but I like what the film takes on. Irene Bedard does well in the lead role, while the seemingly ever topical Mel Gibson supports ably. It's also interesting to hear a young Christian Bale involved as Thomas. Billy Connolly appears too, though only minorly. The animation and music are the key parts to this. The songs aren't massively memorable but are catchy, the score is solid throughout but really comes up big at the end. Most of the humour, mainly with the animals, is fun too. Overall, it's a production worth watching.

A gentle telling of the tale of early British settlers arriving in Virginia in the 17th century. Seeking gold, they found the indigenous population and pretty much set out to annihilate and/or enslave them. Pocahontas is curious to meet these white visitors and Capt. John Smith keen to reciprocate with both keen to prevent bloodshed and promote conversation and understanding between them. On the face of it, it is just an animated love story. Those looking for historical accuracy ought to look elsewhere; this is a vehicle of some good (not great) animation that touches on Native American traditions and beliefs ("The Willow Tree" - voiced by Linda Hunt - being quite a poignant example) and for Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz's Oscar winning, if dreadfully sentimental songs. It is perfectly watchable, and perfectly forgettable in equal measure.