Eco-Friendly Themes - Yea or Nay?

[Juuchan17]

I'm sure we all know at least a few feature-length films that have done this: A cutesy animated kids movie that eventually goes all out to inform the viewer to help save the planet.

Here's a couple I know (and love):
- Ferngully the Last Rainforest (awesome movie)
- Once Upon A Forest (I liked it . . . too cute)
- Happy Feet (it took too long to get to THAT part, but it's true)


And I know there's probably a few others (even some TV shows like Captain Planet *shudders* could fit this topic - if you know of any other titles, post them plz!), but here's my question:

Are we trying to choke these themes down our throats?

Gah . . .

- Juuchan17

[Toonboy]

Well. . . Nay. But there's a difference between using a sponge(Nausicaa or Mononoke) and a using high powered fire hose(Ferngully).

[GrafSpee]

Descriptions of Pixar's upcoming WALL-E make it look like it will have it's hand in "preaching the gospel": neverending piles of junk/trash caused by excessive consumerism. Everyone has to leave the planet so that it can be cleaned up.

[J-Kitty]

My word is YEA! hands down! I mean what's wrong with Eco-themed HUH?!

[Juuchan17]

Actually, I'm kind of in the middle. I mean, I like the fact that animators and directors are using film to get the message out that we as humans need to be careful and protect the earth (else everyone that lives here - human and animal - shall perish . . . and whatnot), but not all films that attempt this work (a la Happy Feet).

I think that animation is a better way to send the message than live-action only because children (probably) can be more easily be mesmerized by a cartoon character than a live human that chokes the truth down your throat.

Maybe that's why it works . . . I guess.

- Juuchan17