Much-praised 3D film is homophobic, demeans women and is misleading to children, say feminists

 

By Rachel Shields and Susie Mesure

 

 

It has won rave reviews and topped the US box office, but the computer-animated film Toy Story 3 has not impressed everyone. Feminists are complaining that the 3D family film is sexist, citing the prevalence of male characters – a ratio of seven males to one female – and negative depictions of women in the film: from Andy's "nagging" mother to the "hyper-feminine" and "overly emotional" Barbie.

 

The long-standing US feminist magazine Ms has accused the film of "careless sexism", with the writer Natalie Wilson arguing that the film may damage children.

 

"Kids who grow up watching sexist shows are more likely to grow up internalising stereotypical ideas of what men and women are supposed to be like," she writes.

 

The article also argues that the film is homophobic in its depiction of the doll Ken as a "closeted gay fashionista with a fondness for writing in sparkly purple ink", stating that: "Pairing homophobia with misogyny, the jokes about Ken suggest that the worst things a boy can be are either a girl or a homosexual."

 

Despite these criticisms, the film went in at number one at the US box office last weekend, taking $110m (£73m). It will be released in the UK on 19 July. Featuring the voices of stars such as Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack, the final instalment in the Toy Story series shows what happens to cowboy Woody and spaceman Buzz Lightyear when their owner, Andy, grows up and goes to college.

 

David Sproxton, co-founder and managing director of Aardman Animations, the studio famous for Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit, believes the series has an enduring, widespread appeal: "You've got a great cast of characters – they use toys to tell human stories – and they are very well made: It is Pixar at its best," he said. "They also spend a lot of money on marketing to get bums on seats."

 

It is more than 10 years since Toy Story 2 was released to widespread acclaim. Unlike many sequels, Toy Story 2 was widely regarded as being even better than the original film, which made history as the first feature film to be made entirely using computer-generated imagery.

 

This weekend's controversy will not be welcomed by British cinema bosses, who are hoping that the 3D family film will revive a box office that has seen ticket sales slump to their lowest level since 2004 this month. Attendance has plummeted due to the World Cup and warm weather.

 

Nevertheless, experts are predicting that Toy Story 3 will take a massive £11m in its opening weekend.

 

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/toy-story-3-is-carelessly-sexist-2011742.html

Anything feminists won't accuse?

fuck feminists.

Its a cartoon for goodness sake don't have to think so deep into everything.

I just saw that movie last night, I thought it was great.

 

I knew people would complain about the references. But seriously, take a chill pill.

 

I thought people would be more concerned about the short cartoon that showed before the movie, with the character drooling/whistling/etc. at the scantily clad animated chicks basking in the sun and splashing around in the water. :tongue:

Much-praised 3D film is homophobic, demeans women and is misleading to children, say feminists

 

By Rachel Shields and Susie Mesure

 

 

It has won rave reviews and topped the US box office, but the computer-animated film Toy Story 3 has not impressed everyone. Feminists are complaining that the 3D family film is sexist, citing the prevalence of male characters – a ratio of seven males to one female – and negative depictions of women in the film: from Andy's "nagging" mother to the "hyper-feminine" and "overly emotional" Barbie.

Umm.. what about Mrs. Potato Head?

 

And what a load of crap, seriously.

I guess they won't rest until they get Barbie out of the market.

Well if they think that's bad, what kind of fuss are they going to make when the inevitable Sex Toy Story 3 hits the screens...................................... :rolleyes:

I don't think kids really give a shit, tbh...

 

I brought my two little sisters to see it and they've gained no damage.

 

Ps; Ken is a barbie doll. he's supposed to look gay.

Fuck this, the original movie was mainly about Buzz and Woody's developing friendship, of course there's going to be more male characters than female.

it is great

I remember there was a commercial in the Super Bowl where a woman explained that Toy Story was about sexual development or something.

 

I tried looking for it, but I couldn't find it.

It's a cartoon, it's meant to entertain kids I doubt there were any intentions of sexism or homophobia by the writers, in fact I'm sure their sole intention was to make a fun film for kids, can't these people find something better to do with their lives than berate kids films.

Well if they think that's bad, what kind of fuss are they going to make when the inevitable Sex Toy Story 3 hits the screens...................................... :rolleyes:

 

That is so wrong, Mark :wreck:

Well if they think that's bad, what kind of fuss are they going to make when the inevitable Sex Toy Story 3 hits the screens...................................... :rolleyes:

 

That was definitely one of your worst puns ever.

But I still laughed out loud hahahah

The funny thing is that unlike the original Toy Story, the two sequels actually feature female characters in prominent roles. I think the original had Bo Peep and that was it, and Bo Peep hardly had any lines at all for crying out loud.

 

Also, way to pinpoint Andy's mother as a stereotypical nagger and then completely ignore Bonnie, who, even though I won't spoil it, has an extremely positive depiction.

 

Guess what? CNN Prime Time has a ratio of 3 males to 1 female! The news is sexist! See? Two can play at this retarded game! (bad analogy, but whatever, you get the point)

Its a cartoon for goodness sake don't have to think so deep into everything.

 

Agreed.

It's a cartoon, it's meant to entertain kids I doubt there were any intentions of sexism or homophobia by the writers, in fact I'm sure their sole intention was to make a fun film for kids, can't these people find something better to do with their lives than berate kids films.

 

Surely they could have written in a "gay" toy somewhere, using the voice of John Barrowman?:dozey:

 

That was definitely one of your worst puns ever.

But I still laughed out loud hahahah

 

You thought I was making it up?

 

:rolleyes:

 

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/06/14/cheryl_burke_confuses_toy_story_3_prem

I saw the movie, and Ken was instantly attracted to Barbie when he first laid eyes on her. That's hardly how a gay man would react. :P

 

My problem with the Toy Story movies is how they teach young kids to love inanimate objects, while portraying the parents/mother as just burdensome background noise to annoy the children. That's not healthy.

I saw the movie, and Ken was instantly attracted to Barbie when he first laid eyes on her. That's hardly how a gay man would react. :P

 

 

Ken was probably attracted to Barbie in the same way some gay guys are drawn to the likes of Kylie or Liza Minelli.:P