What is wrong with Pocahontas?

The problem with the script is that it is too familiar with other films like adaptations of Romeo & Juliet and white savior narrative films. Even the climax feels copied and pasted from Beauty and the Beast with both Gaston and Governor Ratcliffe summoning their men to march on a raid on something they fear is a threat.

While the plot similarities are forgivable, the writers made the film take itself too seriously and feel melodramatic that it was hard for audiences to have any fun or enjoyment in it. And while there were funny moments with Meeko and Percy, it doesn't really contribute to the plot as much and sort of comes of weak.

On top of that, the characters feel bland. I like Pocahontas as a character and what they were trying to go for, but she stills comes off bland because she isn't that fun of a character. The writers were trying to avoid upsetting native Americans so Pocahontas was written to have the positive qualities of a native woman such as her connection with nature, being noble, strong-willed, and adventurous. By doing this, they took all the fun of her character so there's not much to feel engaged in. I know, they tried to make her playful and childish at the beginning, but not much of it was shown.

For an adventurous explorer that traveled all around the world, you would think John Smith would be a more compelling character, but he's not. He feels really bland. They toned his prejudice of natives to make him more likable so his character arc doesn't really pay off, and there's not too much weight as to why he falls in love with Pocahontas.

Governor Ratcliffe is a cardboard cut-out of the greedy villain archetype. His antics make him more comedic so he doesn't feel too threatening.



What we do in life, echoes in eternity.

Despite that I've personally love this film, I find it easy to see why people are repulsed by it. First of all, it lacks the broad appeal of Disney's very best features. It is a generally more serious and po-faced film (regardless that it has a couple of wisecracks that it rarely gets credit for and the overall physical comedy). Secondly, the characters are not as dynamic enough to really engage (besides Grandmother Willow, Meeko and probably Wiggins). Ratcliffe is labeled as an inferior villain and it's easy to see why: He's not as charismatic and compelling enough to carry the movie, as Disney's best villains does.

Besides, the film does move in a slow pace and it contains little action sequences. And what about the lack of a climatic battle between the villains? And yes, let's not forget about the ending. Despite that there are people who actually love the ending because of it's emotional poignancy, there's no denial that an emotionally and overwhelmingly sad ending is off-putting to some people. Of course people have the PC-reasons to dislike it, as the historical inaccuracy, the PC-portrayal of the Native Americans and so on, but they are inferior reasons.

So those are the reasons why people weren't compelled by this movie.

How does The Little Mermaid have a terrible script?

Pocahontas does have a weak script, but the difference with TLM is also that a lot of things happen in that movie. Pocahontas has a story that progresses very slowly, very little happens and there just isn't as much excitement. And there are fewer characters with interesting, outstanding personalities.

oh, so ur incapable of comin`up with a reason 4 why u think there`s somethin`wrong with the film? good 2 know.

Beautiful animation, yes. Good songs too. But the character design is boring and the story is really lame, especially considering it was based on a true story. Had this been based on an original idea or a fairy tale I think more people would be open to liking it, but it would still be the blandest Disney animated film of the 90's.