Disney Movie Reviews

****^ Treasure Island (1950):  This is a movie classic, and it is where we get much of the idea of what a pirate is like, black spot and all.  Robert Newton, with his pirate accent as Long John Silver is incredible.  He and Robert Newton as Master Jim Hawkins create an interesting friendship; Long John as mentor, pirate, thief and man of honor.  On the, other hand Master Jim Hawkins as a naive young man, honest, trusting.  When those that find the treasure are saved from the parents, and things don't work out, Master Hawkins honors his friend and helps him escape.

***^ Pocahontas (1995): This movie portrays the conflict between two cultures.  It has the wicked colonists who are seeking freedom; and gold.  It also shows the people of Pocahontas, who are in perfect harmony with nature and the earth, even though they have their own conflicts between peoples.  Mel Gibson gives voice to John Smith, and Irene Bedard to Pocahontas.  Judy Kuhn provides the vocals for Pocahontas.  David Ogden Stiers is the gold-seeking governor.  Pocahontas is coming to a crossroads in her life, and has to decide whether or not to marry Kocoum, the warrior.  She consults the willow tree to get direction.
    The best part of this show is the meeting of John Smith and Pocahontas in the mist of the waterfall, and the relationship that follows. Another highlight is "Colors of the Wind:" 
Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
A beautiful song.
 
***Aristocats  (1970):  This movie was made during what could be called Disney's down time, and this movie is an example of  this.  It just isn't quite as good as the movies before nor those that come after.  It has the catchy jazz number, "Everybody ought to be a cat;" but is too full of itself with jazz terms.  The story is also too cliched, with the evil bumbling butler trying to do in the cats who are inheriting the mistress' money before him.