Toy Story 3 is sexist? Natalie Wilson of the Ms Magazine blog thinks so.

As a mom who takes very seriously the media messages being sent to my daughters, I have to say: Did we watch the same movie? Gimme a break, Ms.

Here’s Wilson’s “evidence” of Pixar misogyny, along with my commentary:

Andy’s mother is a nag.
No, she’s not.  She’s a busy, loving mom wrestling with the complicated emotions involved with letting go of her son as he heads off to college. She gives her kids a lot of direction, just like every good mom I know.

Only one out of the seven new characters is female.
This count actually misses the most important and sweetest new female character—Bonnie. She’s a wise, fun, and loving female protagonist. If Pixar made a “Toy Story 4” starring Bonnie, I would pay to see it.

Bo Peep is missing.
Bo peep is left out of this plot to make way for new characters, but still is remembered fondly. Woody pauses respectfully and sighs at the mention of her name.

An effeminate Ken is played for laughs and “girl toy” is a derogatory term.
The effeminate Ken is funny because he IS a girl toy. He loves clothes and pretty things because he IS a girl toy. His resulting identity crisis is ironic and funny.

Mrs. Potato Head talks too much.
Mrs. Potato Head is a strong female character. She speaks her mind boldly, and yes, just like lots of strong-willed people of both sexes, she does sometimes talk too much. I’m not seeing the sinister message here.

When Barbie says something smart ... it’s funny.
Barbie is played as a ditzy character, just as Ken is. If either of these characters said something deeply intellectual, it would be ironic. It’s not because she’s a girl. I’m actually glad there is a message here that being overly concerned with looks and material possessions is “stupid.” Because it is.

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.

How about you? Did you see sexism in Toy Story 3? Or something different?