Princess Mononoke and the Nature Cliché
I realized as I was watching Princess Mononoke that possesses a theme very similar to movies like FernGully and Pocahontas. In fact I also remember that when Avatar came out in 2009 much of the criticism of that film was aimed towards its clichéd message. But Princess Mononoke has taken this cliché and used it in an unconventional way. So much so, that I didn't even make the connection until after we had already finished the movie.
What the film did that doesn't normally happen is the conflict between man and nature is not resolved. At least, not completely. San still hates the humans for what they do to the forest and says she will never forgive them. The humans elect to remain living in Irontown, but this time they vow to live a better life, and knowing humans, who knows how long that'll last. I suppose the ending comes across as a sort of armistice between the two sides. It seems to hint that the war may resume again someday.
Most films covering this sort of topic have a very straightforward story where the oppressive man is portrayed as complete and utter evil and must be stopped at all costs. This ends up happening and the heroes all get their happy ending. Princess Mononoke challenges this formulaic plot line, not only by demonstrating the good and bad of both sides, but also by presenting what is still a pretty "glass-half-full" outcome with undertones of a much more likely resolution.
What the film did that doesn't normally happen is the conflict between man and nature is not resolved. At least, not completely. San still hates the humans for what they do to the forest and says she will never forgive them. The humans elect to remain living in Irontown, but this time they vow to live a better life, and knowing humans, who knows how long that'll last. I suppose the ending comes across as a sort of armistice between the two sides. It seems to hint that the war may resume again someday.
Most films covering this sort of topic have a very straightforward story where the oppressive man is portrayed as complete and utter evil and must be stopped at all costs. This ends up happening and the heroes all get their happy ending. Princess Mononoke challenges this formulaic plot line, not only by demonstrating the good and bad of both sides, but also by presenting what is still a pretty "glass-half-full" outcome with undertones of a much more likely resolution.
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