Princess Mononoke: A reminder that good movies still exist
Coming from watching Killer of the Flower Moon and the Marvels (more on that later), one cannot help but feel exhausted with the current slate of movies. Marvel movies are cookie cutter where there is so clearly evil and good, where characters have cringy one-liners, and the music always leaves something to be desired. Supposedly artsy movies like Killer of the Flower Moon are equally formulaic and fall flat for me (see my other post for that). And every other movie is just becoming a remake or extension. Ugh, where is the originality! I want to be challenged and excited watching movies again. With the new Studio Ghibli movie coming out I thought I start completing my watch through of those movies and watch Princess Monoke.
Princess Mononoke is truly one of a kind and a breath of fresh air. From the woman leading to the industrial city to the interesting white creatures who pop in and out of existence in a healthy woods, the movie was teeming with interesting characters. From the outstanding and iconic soundtrack from Joe Hisaishi to the stunning and sometimes downright hilarious visuals. From the sophisticated moral motivations and the surprisingly nuanced stance of the movie on its characters, this movie is truly one of a kind and stands near the top of the list of movies I have seen.
What really made the movie stand out for me was the moral ambiguity. The woman who actively kills the forest and spirits and the old man who wants the head of the forest spirit. Initially I thought these people were the clear villians of the movie. However, the movie makes a point that the woman, Lady Eboshi, has lifted up women who used to work at the brothel and given them more status in society; she treats everyone with respect in her city. As a result, she is revered by those in the city. The old man, Jigo, is clearly more nefarious but is trying to get the head of the forest spirit to return to the emperor’s favor. For every bad, the movie gives good that gives these characters dimension.
In the end, the forest spirit is dead. However, the forest is healed. Did Ashitaka fail? Did Lady Eboshi win? That’s the point. There is no win or loose there is simply what is with all its moral ambiguity. Princess Mononoke tells us in any conflict there is no evil or good. Instead there is a complex play of characters who for their own reasons do what they have to do. Essentially we all do what we think is right. Ultimately the resolution may not be the best from all perspectives, but rather a messy resolution that is simply what is. Resolution happens and we react and the cycle continues again. This isn’t a bad thing, this is simply existence. Well done Studio Ghibli, I recommend anyone reading to give this movie a watch!
