Pocahontas II: Journey To A New World
Year: 1998
Directed by: Tom Ellery & Bradley Raymond
Starring: Irene Bedard, David Ogden Stiers & Billy Zane
Runtime: 72 mins
BBFC: U
Published: 07/03/22
Directed by: Tom Ellery & Bradley Raymond
Starring: Irene Bedard, David Ogden Stiers & Billy Zane
Runtime: 72 mins
BBFC: U
Published: 07/03/22
I had low expectations going into Pocahontas II for multiple reasons. First of all, the track record for Disney’s Animated Sequels wasn’t too good with only The Lion King II standing out as worthwhile so far. Secondly the original Pocahontas is already a film I’m not overly fond of. So, the idea of having a low budget sequel to a film I found questionable at best was not really something I was eager to jump into. But Pocahontas II surprised me, and whilst it falls at the same hurdles the first film did, much like The Lion King II it provides an experience comparable in quality to its big screen predecessor.
Upon his return to London, Governor Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers) has informed King Richard II (Jim Cummings) that the inhabitants discovered in the new world are savages in need of extermination, the fallout of which leads to the death of John Smith (Donal Gibson).
The King sends John Rolfe (Billy Zane) over to the Jamestown settlement to broker a deal with the tribes chief, but the results of which leads Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) to return with Rolfe to London and meet the King.
In order for the King to meet with Pocahontas, Rolfe must teach her how to behave in a civilised manner and give her a makeover fit for the royal court.
Upon his return to London, Governor Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers) has informed King Richard II (Jim Cummings) that the inhabitants discovered in the new world are savages in need of extermination, the fallout of which leads to the death of John Smith (Donal Gibson).
The King sends John Rolfe (Billy Zane) over to the Jamestown settlement to broker a deal with the tribes chief, but the results of which leads Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) to return with Rolfe to London and meet the King.
In order for the King to meet with Pocahontas, Rolfe must teach her how to behave in a civilised manner and give her a makeover fit for the royal court.
I found the subject matter of the original Pocahontas film troubling, and it’s a shame to say that Pocahontas II: Journey To A New World only doubles down on the cultural insensitivities, making light of the real-world events that inspire the film so that the studio can wring out some more money from the Pocahontas property.
I’m not even sure where to begin but seeing Pocahontas having fun getting her skin whitened with makeup and going out of her way to learn the way of the white man so not to offend anyone was more than a little difficult to sit through.
The films finale furthers the problem when it stops being racist for a few minutes to instead be plain old sexist as Pocahontas agrees to marry John Rolfe, a man who has shown almost no respect for her as a human being over the course of the film.
Now why did I say that Pocahontas II pleasantly surprised me earlier if it’s this outdated in its sensibilities, even in comparison to the first film? Well, it’s all in the presentation. To be honest, I found it hard to distinguish some frames of this film to frames of the original because the production quality was so high. Character models are basically identical in detail, and whilst environments have a different art style and are significantly more urban in design, they are highly detailed and cleanly animated unlike much of Dinsey’s home video sequel output. I could see this film being released theatrically because it looks that good.
I don’t really have anything more to say about Pocahontas II. I’m honestly surprised cancel culture hasn’t worked its way around to this film yet, or that Disney haven’t looked at it and decided it’s best to let it fade away into obscurity.
I wouldn’t watch this film if I were you, and it’s a shame I have to say that because a decent amount of effort has actually been put in to making the film decent looking. A relic of a bygone era if there ever was one.
I’m not even sure where to begin but seeing Pocahontas having fun getting her skin whitened with makeup and going out of her way to learn the way of the white man so not to offend anyone was more than a little difficult to sit through.
The films finale furthers the problem when it stops being racist for a few minutes to instead be plain old sexist as Pocahontas agrees to marry John Rolfe, a man who has shown almost no respect for her as a human being over the course of the film.
Now why did I say that Pocahontas II pleasantly surprised me earlier if it’s this outdated in its sensibilities, even in comparison to the first film? Well, it’s all in the presentation. To be honest, I found it hard to distinguish some frames of this film to frames of the original because the production quality was so high. Character models are basically identical in detail, and whilst environments have a different art style and are significantly more urban in design, they are highly detailed and cleanly animated unlike much of Dinsey’s home video sequel output. I could see this film being released theatrically because it looks that good.
I don’t really have anything more to say about Pocahontas II. I’m honestly surprised cancel culture hasn’t worked its way around to this film yet, or that Disney haven’t looked at it and decided it’s best to let it fade away into obscurity.
I wouldn’t watch this film if I were you, and it’s a shame I have to say that because a decent amount of effort has actually been put in to making the film decent looking. A relic of a bygone era if there ever was one.