One thing I noticed: Complete absence and reference to Andy’s father. There’s Andy, his little sister, and his Mom. Dad is not mentioned at all. He’s just not there! Was this addressed at all in previous Toy Story movies?
Been awhile since I would have seen them.

You get ‘em, Danielle!
 
Let it be said, though, that Toy Story 3—like all Pixar films to date—is boy-centric. Every one of Pixar’s eleven films has a male protagonist, and there is always a male antagonist/villain if there is any at all (not to exclude female antagonists/villains, such as Darla in Finding Nemo). The Toy Story films are driven by male relationships: above all, Woody and Andy, and secondarily Woody and Buzz. Male-female relationships (Woody and Bo, Buzz and Jessie, the Potato Heads) are strictly ancillary.
 
Not until the upcoming Brave (formerly title The Bow and the Bear) will a Pixar film feature a female protagonist. (It will also be the first Pixar feature—indeed, the first major studio animated feature—directed by a woman.) As a father of three girls, I’m hoping for greatness from Brave, and would love to see more—and more!—girl-centric adventures from Pixar.
 
However, in trying to find negative messages about girls in Toy Story 3, the Ms. piece clearly juices the argument with professional grievance hackery, such as the claims that Andy’s mom is a nag, or that girls are “taught” that “women talk too much” because the villainous Lotso steals Mrs. P.H.‘s mouth?! (Why isn’t the message “Seemingly friendly male authority figures may try to steal women’s voices”?) Not to mention the characterization of Sunnyside Day Care as “prison-like” (only for the toys, not for the kids!—and besides, in the end Sunnyside is cool and groovy!).
 
As noted above, Andy’s mom is and has always been a good, understanding, caring, hands-on mom. Above all, she’s there. If we’re counting beans (no pun on your name intended!), isn’t the more relevant question “Where is Andy’s father?” (Aside to Rob: No, none of the TS films explains where Andy’s father is or why he’s out of the picture.) Andy’s seeming exasperation with his mom in TS3 is actually nothing more than his own roiling emotions at this difficult moment of transition.
 
Partly the Ms. critique is rooted in sexual politics, as per the author’s disparaging remarks about Jessie falling for Spanish-mode Buzz and especially “homophobia” and the terrible, terrible idea “the worst things a boy can be are either a girl or a homosexual.”
 
Um, well, I don’t know about the worst things—Ken is at least semi-sympathetic, in contrast to the patriarchal but twisted Lotso—but yes, Toy Story 3 is “heterocentric” about boys being boys and girls being girls. That’s part of what we like about it!
 
The last line gives it away: The Ms writer laments that “animated films from Pixar will not be giving us a ‘whole new world,’ at least when it comes to gender norms, anytime soon.” Yeah. If that’s what you want, stick with flicks like Happy Feet and Madagascar 2. Make mine Pixar, thanks awfully!

Feminists, once again, seeing ghosts and villains where there are none.  None - not intended or even implied.  Just got back from taking my brood (including 5 of my daughters) to the movie and none of her concerns even came to mind.  But, the great themes such as sticking together no matter what you are facing, the mother’s ache at seeing her son go off to work, the message of giving something away so others can benefit all were discussed on the way home, all through dinner and on into today.

But, more than that my kids are laughing at the creepy monkey, wondering if the baby might be a girl baby doll or a boy (not made clear in the movie) and how cool it was to see Andy playing with Bonnie at the end of the movie.  Having both a 19 yr. old son and a 3 yr. old toddler it brought tears to my eyes.

Yes, Pixar is ‘pro-boy’ but I find that refreshing in a world where finding good role models for boys is getting harder and harder. 

No issues here from this Mom.  Pixar hit another one out of the stadium and into the parking lot!

“Yes, Pixar is ‘pro-boy’ but I find that refreshing in a world where finding good role models for boys is getting harder and harder.”

 
I can appreciate that (I have three sons too!) ... but isn’t it even harder to find good role models for girls?

Great post, Danielle! Thanks for setting those so-called “feminists” straight.

Steve has already said much of what I was going to say, and much more eloquently than I probably would have. I just want to make one or two extra points re: Brave (formerly titled The Bear and the Bow) and its relationship to Pixar’s boy-centricness in general.

First, it is interesting to see that Pixar’s first girl-centric movie is also its first fairy tale. Is this necessarily progress? Pixar has, until recently at least, prided itself on breaking with convention and telling some of the most unlikely stories you’d ever expect to see in the animated medium. But now, at a time when Pixar seems to have given in to sequelitis (Toy Story 3, Cars 2, Monsters Inc. 2), the only non-sequel they have on their plate is a fairy tale for girls. Couldn’t they have told a *different* girl-centric story?

Second, it is worth noting that, when Pixar chief John Lasseter took the reins at Disney, one of the first projects he commissioned was The Princess and the Frog, which is, itself, a basically positive girl-centric story. Alas, the movie didn’t do as well at the box office as the Disney-Pixar people hoped, and this has apparently led to concerns among the Disney-Pixar higher-ups that their movies should *avoid* being too girl-centric ... hence Rapunzel Unbraided was recently renamed Tangled, and the most recent trailer for it emphasizes the boy-centric action-comedy aspects of the movie. It was around this same time that The Bear and the Bow was renamed Brave, so we’ll just have to wait and see what implications that has for the film itself.

Finally, re: whether Brave is “the first major animated feature directed by a woman”, it may depend on what you mean by that. It certainly appears to be the first such film that is directed *solely* by a woman—no one else seems to have a directorial credit on that film, at least according to the IMDb—but Brave director Brenda Chapman *was* one of the three directors on The Prince of Egypt twelve years ago (along with Steve Hickner and Simon Wells), and it’s very common for animated films to have multiple directors. So, strictly speaking, it was DreamWorks that broke the gender barrier, there.

But now, at a time when Pixar seems to have given in to sequelitis (Toy Story 3, Cars 2, Monsters Inc. 2), the only non-sequel they have on their plate is a fairy tale for girls. Couldn’t they have told a *different* girl-centric story?

I find this comment perplexing. What’s wrong with fairy tales? And the number of good animated fairy tale movies currently in existence, that I know of at least, can almost be counted on the fingers of one hand. If Pixar creates a good fairy tale, and tells it with taste, taking the story seriously, I for one will have no sympathy with anyone crying “Where’s the originality?”

Danielle (and Stephen), great commentary.

I wonder if Ms. Magazine would devote the same efforts to eliminating the clichéd “girl movie” plot in which girl power is praised to the detriment of boy power, boys (especially fathers) are made to look stupid, and males are villians. These movies can lead us to one of two conclusions: 1) feminist producers actually think they need to bring men down in order to lift up girls, betraying an underlying (perhaps subconcious) notion that men really are above women and must be brought down to make the sexes equal, or 2) the same producers believe the sexes are equal, but in fact that women should be above men. The first is unrealitic, the second is malicious.

If they want to make a good movie with a female protagonist, how about a girl in China wondering why she never got that little sister she wished for every birthday, finally coming face-to-face with governmental authority that must be challenged? Perhaps a girl who is forced by her unyielding career-woman mother to play sports when she really wants to be a ballerina, just as successful, but while doing something she wants to do as a girl, not out of a need to compete with the boys, which is, by itself, a poor reason to pursue a career (it would be a more relevant social commentary tha Billy Elliot)?

“What’s wrong with fairy tales?”

Nothing, of course.  But it’s interesting that, when Pixar finally decided to make a girl-centric movie, they made a point of noting that it is a “fairy tale”.  Why couldn’t they have made *other* kinds of girl-centric movies?  John Lasseter and the gang are big fans of Miyazaki movies, so it’s not like they’re unaware of the possibilities here.

I recently saw TS3 with my granddaughter and daughter. We loved it! I think it was the best one yet. I believe Natalie Wilson is way off base. I agree with the great observations and comments made by Danielle. More important though, it was a movie I could watch with my granddaughter- laugh, cry and not have to worry about inappropriate sexual overtones,foul language etc.

While I suppose The Incredibles is still boy-centric (I’m not about to argue with all the pros here), I would make the argument that Elasti-Girl is an enormously strong female character. Of course, Ms. Magazine would probably deny that since she’s a stay-at-home, but that’s their hang up, not mine.

Children’s movies seem to have very subtle messages lately and the kids notice it…Madagascar was one and the childen I took to the movies spoke about it afterwards…one of the children seeing this movie giggled uncomfortable when the female character sidled up to the boy character and in a breathy, sexy voice said: “I like your asssssssssssssssssssssss-cot” and reached for his tie…it may seem like a little thing but it seems so prevalent in kids movies…I can name many other examples but…parents need to go with children even if the movie is supposed to be kid friendly..

Good point about the “ascot” line.  You find similar innuendos in the original Toy Story, too, when Mr Potato Head has his own mouth kiss his butt, or when he refers to Woody’s “laser envy”, for example.

People with an agenda will find a way to be insulted an maligned.  Ms. Wilson is one of these people.

It is their problem and not mine.  Hollywood makes a lot of movies which promote real issues and celebrate sick societal life choices. Toy Story 3 is not and does not even come close to these real villainous films.

My very first thoughts about people who are this wrapped up in a movie like Toy Story 3 are unprintable. If your life is spent watching movies and then trying to defend them or demean them then you have no life at all. You are addicted to the make believe world because you are having trouble with the world (your environment) that you live in. While stories, real or fiction, can be entertainment it should not in-slave you to this sort of retort especially when the word sexist is used for name calling. Wake up adults (or should I say children?) and get some meaning into your life. Remember Barnum said….there is a sucker born every minute and Pogo said we have met the suckers and they is us…...

Haw! jayeverett misquoted Pogo. As all TRUE Walt Kelly aficionados know, the line is “We have met the ENEMY, and HE is us.” I tell you, anyone who wants to bandy comic strip quotations around ME has his work cut out for him, by gum! :-D

As the (professional, working)proud mother of 5 daughters and 1 son - I loved this movie (as did the rest of our family).  I very much like the fact that it is boy-centered.  I feel very strongly that the continued “Ms” magazine-style emasculation of men and pathetic groping for feminist “issues” does a disservice to everyone. That feminist hang-up is sending messages that cripple full human development of both males and females.

Thanks, Danielle, for a balanced correction of the militant anti-male feminist agenda in modern society.  As for Andy’s father missing in the movie, I can relate to that.  When I was in fourth grade my family moved from Texas to Ohio, and my dad stayed behind to sell the house.  That took six months.  A dad not being in the present picture doesn’t necessarily mean he’s absent from fathering - he just might be doing the best and most necessary thing for his family.  Who’s to say that Andy’s father didn’t have to leave ahead of the family to start a new job, necessarily leaving mom, the kids, and the toys behind?  But that, of course, would be reading something into the movie that simply isn’t there, much akin to the original radical feminist evaluatio we’re all commenting on.

“Who’s to say that Andy’s father didn’t have to leave ahead of the family to start a new job, necessarily leaving mom, the kids, and the toys behind?”

 
Well, we do see Andy at several different junctures of life: pre-move, post-move, birthday party, months or years later, and finally on the brink of going to college. Dad is never around, or even mentioned. I think it’s safe to say he’s no longer in the picture, for whatever reason.

Yeah, and Andy’s dad is also conspicuously absent when the presents are being opened on Christmas Day at the end of the first movie.

Danielle writes: “Jessie falls in love with the macho Latin lover, Buzz.
First of all, Jessie is still a great round-em-up, take-charge kind of cow girl. And second of all, since when is it sexist for a female to fall in love with a manly man? The “concern” with this particular plot line speaks volumes about a feminist anti-male agenda.”

You hit it on the nose, Danielle.  This is brought on mostly by the homosexual groups (and women’s lib), who have been working very hard for many years and are determined to undermine men, in particular the very important role of a husband and a father.  These misguided groups portray a father as either worthless or usually as the ogre in the family.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Have you noticed how there are more and more commercials with shampoos, conditioners, lose weight, facial treatments for men, i.e., feminize men and do away with the vital image, importance and role of strong manly men in a family and in societies as a whole.

Nothing, of course.  But it’s interesting that, when Pixar finally decided to make a girl-centric movie, they made a point of noting that it is a “fairy tale”.  Why couldn’t they have made *other* kinds of girl-centric movies?

For me, the question is not “why couldn’t they” but “why SHOULD they?”. Fairy tales, no matter how expected they are in animated movies in general, are the last thing that would be expected to be in Pixar’s line. This is precisely because with them, innovation has always been the name of the game, and they’ve never had to wrestle with an old form that has its own rules. If they decide to take this challenge on next, I would see it not as sitting back and resting on their laurels, but rather kicking it up another notch. At any rate, they can’t possibly be accused of remaining in their comfort zone.

As all TRUE Walt Kelly aficionados know, the line is “We have met the ENEMY, and HE is us.”

Wow. I knew the line, but I thought it was from FDR or somebody. :)

I have no problem at all with Pixar taking on the challenge of telling a fairy tale. What I do have a problem with—but it’s only a slight problem, I think—is the casual way they equate “fairy tale” with “girl’s movie” or vice versa.

Toy Story will always hold a special place in my heart. I have a son who grew up with Andy, Woody and Buzz. He will be in college in the fall. We went to see TS3 together, an 18 year old young man and his mother. If a mother’s love and strong bonds of frindship are sexist, then I will be happy to call myself one.

Perhaps Jessie fell for Latin-lover-Buzz because it was only Latin-lover-Buzz that got around to openly wooing her.  Buzz has been sweet on her since the end of Toy Story 2.

I was about seven when I lost the ability to enjoy “fairy tales.”  It was 1972.  My parents were unhappy and my dad was beginning his affair.  They would divorce in 1976.  Meanwhile, Ms. Magazine was going strong telling women that they should be unhappy with marriage and family.  It’s upsetting to me that almost 40 years later, the militant feminists at Ms. Magazine can’t see the damage they do by perpetuating their agenda.  I probably won’t see the newest Toy Story.  When I saw the first one, it made me cry, which is embarrassing for me to admit.  Danielle, you go right ahead and challenge the feminists, but as for me, I’ve lost hope that words can change them, especially the Ms. Magazine variety.

I personally tink that anybody who finds anything sexist in this movie is a sexist themselves and a man hater. People nowadays are way too stuck on finding things like that in movies rather than just relaxing and enjoying it. What a waste of time, no wonder why there’s so many screwed up kids now, parents put stupid ideas in their heads.

@Rob Maloney-

As far as I can tell, there’s never mention of Andy’s father in the films. Actually, it’s a very common writing tactic (ESPECIALLY in animated films) to portray a lead character as only having one parent, because it’s an instant and easy way to turn the lead into a “victim” that the audience has sympathy for. Look at many classic animated films and you’ll see this put into action quite a bit. (Iron Giant, The Little Mermaid, Goofy Movie, the list goes on!)

I didn’t realize this was true of all the TS movies, as well as others.
I won’t assume they’re sending “a message”.

However, here’s some food for thought.
Someone I know was driving his nephew (age 8)  to another relative’s house. The nephew’s father is not involved in his life or his mother’s (good thing, since this guy has mental health issues). Nevertheless, kid sitting in back seat was quiet and thoughtful. Said at one point, “I wish I had a dad.”
Brings home the meaning of the Bible quote, “Out of the mouths of babes…” i.e., perfect praise or truth.

Feminists have become tiresome, prunish scolds who have no sense of humor.

I LOVED TOY STORY 3! I actually saw it twice on two consecutive days I liked it so much! Ken totally stole the show (Michael Keaton is still relevant… awesome!!!) and Big Baby is easily the most pathos-laden character I’ve seen in any movie in a long time, I seriously ached for the poor guy. And of course, I openly bawled at the end (and at the end of the epilogue) both times I saw it, something no Pixar movie has managed to make me do since… well, Toy Story 2, probably. It didn’t really feel like a Pixar-of-recent-memory film, though, but (and I never thought I’d say this) maybe that’s a good thing?

For what it’s worth, Toy Story 2 had its share of innuendos too, like the Buzz Lightyear “sch-WING” joke at the end and Stinky Pete giving the Barbie dolls acting advice from the casting box.

People arguing about this have 1) Way too much time on their hands. 2) Put way too much stock into a movie. Come on people just enjoy it!

”“People arguing about this have 1) Way too much time on their hands. 2) Put way too much stock into a movie. Come on people just enjoy it!”

 
Statements like this are 1) condescending and 2) inaccurate. Can you imagine Tolkien or Lewis considering a children’s story not worth taking seriously or arguing about? I can’t see that anyone here deserves criticism for blowing the issue out of proportion, or is unable to “just enjoy it.” Even the author of the Ms. piece says the movie is enjoyable! Keeping things in perspective, the issue is worth discussing, whatever view of it you take. Chillax and don’t judge people for taking children’s stories seriously!

As a mother, teacher, theater professional, communications professor, I think these discussions about the underlying messages of children’s movies very important.  Children understand more than we credit to them.  When a movie maker (Pixar), and series (Toy story), and a particular film offer such richness in the exploration of love and fidelity, it is proper to contemplate it. 

No it’s not a sexist story.  I believe Andy’s dad is the sole provider, and Christmas camera man. 

The most commonplace storyline in children’s films today is the lonely loser child who is undervalued even by the parent and must fight the system to receive respect.  It’s common to the point of boring.  My son (age 9) has learned to see that story coming a mile away.

Thank Pixar for for giving us something different every once in a while.

Jayeverret also got the other quote wrong. P. T. Barnum didn’t say that there’s a sucker born every minute, someone talking about a scam of Barnum’s did

Did the movie bring you closer to Christ and your faith or move you farther away?  Isn’t that all we need to know?

Pixar movies are boy-centric.  I agree with Steve, here.  However, there is a simple reason for that.  Boy movies make more money.  Market research shows that girls will pay-for and enjoy boy centered books, toys and movies, while boys will not do so if a girl is the main character.  Dollars and cents.

I loved Toy Story 3, it was great. I did however have a problem with the short cartoon that came before it. Any thoughts on that one, Danielle?

Prudence, what was the prob with cartoon preceding? I believe it was called “Night & Day.” I don’t recall anything objectionble about it

...well, Pixar is set to release the film “Brave” in June 2012, and maybe that will make her happy.  But give me a break.

That’s why real feminists don’t read Ms Magazine. Or people with brains, for that matter. I would also call into question whether or not a person is a human being if he/she dislikes Toy Story III. Hm… probably another one of these soulless robots, or yuppies, as they call them.

Toy Story is not a sexist film series.  Its just honest.  Its beauty has always been connected with its honesty.  I have an older sister and I am aware that boys are different than girls in many ways; in ways that are good and not quite as good.  The author of the original article that the author here rebuts is just being paranoid.  ...  If, however, I was going to add fuel to the flame I might note that both Jessie’s former owner ‘Emily’ and Lotso’s former owner ‘Daisy’ both coldly abandoned their once cherished toys, while good ole’ Andy cherishes them in a sentimental (albeit age-appropriate) manner into adulthood.  So, I guess I just rebutted my own argument.  Oh well.

I was reminded of a scene in Madagascar 2. I hope I’m not guilty of reading into things like our Ms. Magazine writer. They were about to make a once-for-all sacrifice of the giraffe (I think) to appease the volcano/god so all the other animals could be saved from its fiery wrath. Then king Julian says “Hurry up, before we all come to our senses.” The implication, to me, is that the basic belief in the power of sacrifice, and Jesus’ crucifixion specifically, are only believed by the senseless. Did anyone else ever notice or comment on this?

I realize this comment is coming in a bit late, all things considered, but the ideas put forth in the linked article have really irritated me.

Most glaringly, that thing about the ratio of male to female characters is pretty absurd, both on its face and upon further analysis.  It’s especially worth noting that, with the exception of that purple octopus she notes, every one of the female characters in TS3 is important.  There are lots of male characters who just get brushed to the side, or are of no real consequence (even some of the core group, like Hamm and T-Rex, are little more than comic relief); this isn’t true about any of the female characters at all.

- Bo Peep certainly is gone, but it matters that she’s gone.  Everyone cares about it, and it’s a powerful indicator of how things are really going in the house that was once so dependable.
- Jessie is as dominant a personality as ever.
- Barbie takes on a much larger role in TS3 than in either of the previous films.
- So does Mrs. Potato-Head. I should note too that both she and Barbie are essential elements in the toys’ eventual escape plan.  They aren’t just along for the ride, hoping that someone will save them.
- Andy’s Mom is hugely important to this, being the catalyst for the film’s events at several points.  She’s also beautifully-realized as a character.
- Molly is interesting in a meta-narrative sense.  Many assumed, at the end of TS2, that it would be she who would take the reins once Andy moved on, but in a neat twist, by the time of the events of TS3, she, too, has passed through the period in which toys are most often played with, and is herself put in the position of having to let things go (albeit with far less care or pathos than her brother).
- Bonnie is the new star in heaven for our heroes, and probably one of the most adorable characters I’ve ever seen put to film.
- The three female toys at Bonnie’s house (Dolly, the tomboyish triceratops, and the unicorn thing), though given relatively limited screentime, serve interesting functions in their own right.  It seems to be implied that Dolly could eventually be for Woody what Bo Peep once was, while the triceratops provides a fun and tech-savvy counterpart to T-Rex’s gentle incompetence.  Her presence is also uplifting in light of his earlier and short-lived joy at finding other dinosaur toys at the daycare.  The unicorn is a bit of a non-entity, I guess (and I can’t be entirely certain in my recollection that the toy was even a female), but still.

I think that the author of the linked piece, like the notorious Armond White, probably didn’t give the film much of a chance.  Too bad :/