Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998)

Yes, it is one of those infamous Disney sequels we all love to hate. But since the original Pocahontas was not that great, I do not entirely share the hatred towards this one. There is a plot hole about Ratcliffe's return I feel is a little irritating, but that is pretty much the only thing. The animation is not bad, it just lacks some of those moments from the original (during Colors of the Wind and Savages for example). The movie presents to us a couple of new character I actually like. Pocahontas' bodyguard is hilarious! Mrs. Jenkins is a likable clumsy character and John Rolfe is a little bland, but decent. I found Pocahontas' and Uti's interactions with the London crowd and the royals amusing. The best part of the movie.The original Pocahontas has one of my favorite songs in the Disney catalog (Colors of the Wind), but aside from that the songs were forgettable. Ratcliffe was a weak villain and the romance was boring. Despite the aforementioned plot hole about Ratcliffe, I find his motivations more interesting in this one. The music also decent ("Where Do I Go From Here" is the most memorable). I cannot be offended by Pocahontas' rejection of John Smith in this, because I find their romance was non-existing in the original. Despite the the still visible downgrade in the visual pleasing from the original this one is not a giant leap backwards compared to other Disney sequels (Hunchback, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast etc.)

It appears that a recurring theme in the Disney sequels is drastic changes to character traits established in the first movie so that the writers don't have to think too hard in putting together their half-baked little cash grab. In the first Pocahontas, John Smith wanted to do all he could to help bring peace between his and Pocahontas' people and was even willing to die to save his best friend's life. Here, he doesn't care about anyone except himself and tries to make Pocahontas' decisions for her.They do this so they can justify Pocahontas leaving him so she can end up with the newly-introduced John Rolfe who became her husband historically but guess what? I don't watch Disney Movies to get a history lesson; I watch them to see happy endings where couples are able to get together despite unfortunate circumstances at the end of the last movie.Also, if John Rolfe was introduced to bring historical accuracy into the mix, he did a very poor job because everything else about the movie is historically inaccurate from Pocahontas not being married to him before she left for London to the undergarments depicted herein being those of the 19th century, not the 17th where the movie is set. All John Rolfe's introduction manages to do is retcon the tragedy of Pocahontas and Smith not being together as like I said, the writers make it so that it ends up being a good thing.Do yourself a favour and stick with the original Pocahontas while making up an ending where Smith returns to Virginia to be with her.

I've seen this a grand total of twice, but I've enjoyed it both times. I didn't grow up with the first Pocahontas movie, so I wasn't heartbroken when Pocahontas and John Smith didn't end up together in this one. Actually, the romance was probably one of my least favorite aspects of that movie. I realize why now: It's Romeo and Juliet (and we all know how that relationship worked out); I've never particularly cared for that story either--though it's been a while since I've read it.Hence, with this movie, I'm glad they kind of continued down that path, in that Pocahontas is able to move on after she thinks he's dead--as well as recognize and be honest with both how she's changed, and about what she really wants. And this is what nobody seems to notice (from what I've read so far): In the end, Pocahontas didn't choose John Rolfe. She chose her people, and her home. Yet she also loved him, and she probably loved John Smith too. Both Johns got what they wanted, Smith wanted to have his own ship and explore the world, and Rolfe wanted to become an adviser to the King (or something like that). But when it was clear Pocahontas didn't want to sail the world, Smith didn't want to give up that dream for her (and that's fine), and he didn't want her to feel obligated to give up hers either; so he let her go. He too had moved on. It was a very mature thing to do (even, dare I say, loving). Rolfe, on the other hand, ultimately decided that he valued Pocahontas more than his position, so he gave it up willingly to be with her. Anyway, I liked the other aspects of this movie too. Of course, the music/songs and animation aren't as good as the first, but given the time and budget constrains--and the fact that this was a different, smaller animation studio--I think they did rather well. This gets a solid 8 stars from me.

So basically, Pocahontas 2 was poorly written. They should never had made a second one. If you have watched the first one then you will be saddened and disappointed with the second one. Disney screwed up on this one. The script is very poorly written and the ending of the first film was way better than the ending of the second film. Don't show your kids this our they will be really sad with it. The music is also terrible. Pocahontas isn't really the same person as in the first one. I would only really buy the movie to burn it. I really wish i could erase that story from my mind, it was that bad. Take my advice and don't watch it or you will be very disappointed