Pocahontas (1995) is a movie that holds a special place in Disney history for it’s jaw-dropping utilization of colors, it’s political story elements and the depiction of characters. While I would love to discuss all of those points, today I’ll be focusing on the loveable characters like Meeko, Flit and Pocahontas. If not for them, would the wind have been as colorful? Honestly, I think that the characters made the movie special – not just the amazing colors. With that being said, I rewatched Pocahontas for the first time in 20 years, and I couldn’t wait to rank the very best characters from the movie! So, without further ado, I present to you the top 5 best Pocahontas characters!
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5. Chief Powhatan
Chief Powhatan, the father of Pocahontas, is a character that deserves much more love and respect. While he’s a lesser known character, he’s the most grounded one in Pocahontas. It’s not only the great voice acting, but his strong and majestic nature. He’s a character that feels supreme, simply because of the design and body language. Add to that the solid voice acting, and you have yourself a character that feels in control. But what makes Chief Powhatan rank so highly is his role in the movie; he takes up only the space he needs, does it effectively, and isn’t over-worked. Therefore, Chief Powhatan grabs a rather high spot on my list of the top 5 best Pocahontas characters.
4. Flit
What are the odds that a stubborn and headstrong hummingbird would rank so high? Not that big, but I couldn’t leave Flit off this list; he’s a really good minor comedic relief character. Whether he’s being over-protective of Pocahontas or annoying Meeko, Flit’s behavior enables him to always have a reaction to everyone elses action. With a slew of humorous moments, he is the constant reminder of what is rational and what isn’t. Therefore, our beloved Flit comes across much like a cautious older sibling or a protective parent would. With that being said, I wholeheartedly enjoy the small part that Flit plays in Pocahontas’ storyline!
3. John Smith
When it comes to Walt Disney Animation films, there are only a few word combinations scarier than “Disney Prince”. In fact, I’ve grown accustomed to bad princes to the point where I was surprised by how good John Smith was as a character. He had motivations for doing things, he had a different view of Native Americans, and he actually had a distinct personality. Like, he wasn’t some random dude as boring as an A4 piece of paper, like almost all other princes before him. Thus, I was able to enjoy his journey with Pocahontas.
In all honesty, the reason I can’t rank John Smith higher is because I wasn’t fond of him in the slightest. Likeability is subjective, and I simply didn’t find his affection towards Pocahontas to be believable. It came across very plastic. But I did enjoy the relationship the two characters had, as it actually felt like one person was from one planet and the other from another. Thus, it pulled me in. But that had more to do with the storyline, rather than John Smith’s character.
2. Meeko
Disney knows how to make animal characters interesting, entertaining and relatable. All of it, without them saying a single word. Not only is that impressive, it’s also the main reason I find Meeko to be so compelling. After all, we’re talking about a raccoon, who’s always hungry, who steals stuff and who’s always by your side. In turn, this comedic relief character does what it needs to be effective and memorable. Meeko isn’t just Pocahontas’s trusty side-kick, he’s also the character who gives the movie some much needed heart and comedy.
1. Pocahontas
Before rewatching Pocahontas, my memories of the princess were very vague. I knew how she looked like, but not who she was or what she stood for. So imagine my shock, when I watched Pocahontas for the first time in 20 years, and found her to be an excellent character. From her ironclad will to her gracious and elegant nature, she’s the flavor that gives the film it’s colors. With an unwavering feel for right and wrong, as well as a fierce personality, she comes across proud and strong; much different from princesses before the 1990s. In turn, there’s no equal to Pocahontas in this film; she stands alone at the top, followed by Meeko.
What makes Pocahontas special is her balanced personality. She doesn’t lose an ounce of her fun-loving and relatable behavior in favor of her strong character, with respectable values and righteous morals. In turn, she’s a perfect example of a princess that can do it all. I mean, she’s as entertaining in the comedic situations as she’s captivating in serious moments; it’s perfect. While I might praise Pocahontas too much, I stand behind these words. After all, Pocahontas has so many amazing moments, well-written dialogue and an essence that is hardly rivaled by any other Disney Princess. With that being said, I’m giving her the #1 spot on my list of the top 5 best Pocahontas characters! 🍂 All hail Pocahontas! 🍁
