THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 24, 1995 TAG: 9506230032
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
A HISTORY BOOK is one thing. A Disney flick is another.
Never shall the two meet - at least not in ``Pocahontas,'' the 33rd animated feature from the legendary production company of magic-time movies.
For those of us who live virtually in the tracks of the Indian princess, the issue is closer, if not more pertinent, than in many of the almost 3,000 theaters where the film opens this weekend. Somewhere in the background is the fact that Jamestown's real importance was as the first permanent English settlement in the New World and that the Indian princess was important in making it permanent. She was, if anything, the first American diplomat. That idea is way, way in the background of ``Pocahontas.''
Aside from pure entertainment, which the movie offers in abundance, Pocahontas, at its best, promotes concerns for environment and the idea that Virginia was once a primeval paradise. At worst, it suggests that Pocahontas was something of a bimbo who falls in love with the first blond she sees (and loves to toss her gorgeous mane of ebony-black hair about while she sings).
To be realistic about it, though, the history seems a bit bogus. Does anyone expect accuracy from a movie that is stolen by a mischievous raccoon and an energetic hummingbird? Perhaps, on the brighter side of the disinformation, may be the hope that the film will at least get children interested to the point that they'll explore the facts for themselves.
If you can discard the historical factor, ``Pocahontas'' is a terrific show and a breakthrough of risks for the Disney animators. There are several firsts here. It is the first time Disney animation has attempted to tackle a real-life character. And it is a rare Disney film in that it has a less-than-a-happy-ever-after ending. It is a new step forward in the animation of human movement. Pocahontas moves like a gazelle through the Indian forest.
The princess herself is an almond-tinted beauty who is so perfect that she is myth at first sight. Her facial expressions suggest that the animators really can deliver an acting performance (even if some of the lip-synching is off for the songs). Poco has the speaking voice of Irene Bedard and the singing voice of Judy Kuhn.
The American natives come off as noble creatures who are somewhat stoic but wish to preserve their paradise. Chief Powathan, with the voice of political activist Russell Means, is a caring father who encourages his daughter to think for herself.
Capt. John Smith has the voice of Mel Gibson (who actually can sing - acceptably but not impressively). He is something of a stick figure when compared to her, but he has a square jaw and, in the initial sea storm, is an adventurer to give little boys a hero to balance Poco's feminine emphasis.
The show is stolen, though, by the raccoon Meeko and the hummingbird, Flint, who are the princess's forest companions. In contrast to other Disney films, they never talk. The villain, a rather weak one as Disney villains go, is Gov. John Ratcliffe, dressed in purple togs and intent upon mining Virginia for gold. With the voice of David Ogden Stiers, he is made to resemble Capt. Hook's comedic villain rather than the evil of a, say, Scar from ``The Lion King.''
A talking tree, called Grandmother Willow, has the voice of Oscar winner Linda Hunt (``The Year of Living Dangerously'') but seems rather a dead limb. She has embarrassing lines like ``my bark is worse than my bite'' and the show's dullest song. It seems more could have been done with the possibility of a spiritual tree. Also underused, as a possibility for comedy, is Wiggins, the sidekick of Gov. Ratcliffe.
That leaves Percy, the pug doggie, to provide much-needed comedy relief. When he and the raccoon are at odds, there are laughs.
The opening song is called ``The Virginia Company,'' all about Britishers coming to Virginia to kill savages and hunt gold. Ratcliffe's song, ``Mine, Mine, Mine'' contains the lyrics ``With all ya got in ya boys/ Dig up Virginia, boys.''
The loudest and most persistent song is ``Colors of the Wind,'' a sure bet Oscar and Grammy contender, even if it is a bit bland. The most sophisticated song, if you could call it that, is called ``Savages,'' in which both natives and Britishers use the words to describe each other. The score is by Disney veteran Alan Menken with lyrics by his new partner, Stephen Schwartz, best known for the theater's ``Godspell.'' The album is sure to be a bestseller.
Virginia never looked so gorgeous. Local folk will get a good laugh out of the waterfalls, blue lagoons and pastoral paradise that is Jamestown. The swamps of Jamestown were a factor in that the capital was moved to Williamsburg some years later, but should we complain about being overly beautified?
The lovey-dovey stuff may turn off kiddies, but they get nontalking animals as a substitute. Could ``Poco'' actually turn out to be the dating flick of the summer? After all, the kiss is one of the longest in recent movie memory.
In any case, ``Pocahontas'' is a signal that the Disney animators are willing to take new, and daring, risks. The efforts at doing a ``Romeo and Juliet'' romance in comparatively realistic terms may be saved by one of the most aggressive, and costly, publicity campaigns in movie history (complete with the largest movie premiere ever).
Aside from all the facts, the fantasy is still a delight - and beautifully drawn. ``Pocahontas'' is quite a show - fine entertainment. MEMO: Mal's rating: three and a half stars ILLUSTRATION: Color photo from Walt Disney Pictures
The Indian princess is so perfect, she's almost a myth, but raccoon
Meeko steals the show.
by CNB