Disney Home Video’s Phineas and Ferb the Movie – Across the 2nd Dimension DVD, created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, is quite a fun ride. 4/5. Give it a try on 123 Movies it is free!
I admit it took me a little while for Phineas and Ferb to grow on me: the constant repetition of motifs such as teenage sister Candace never getting the chance to bust her little brothers, and Perry the Platypus constantly taking on the inept Dr. Doofenshmirtz suggested a lack of imagination on the part of creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh.
Well, either the writers kicked things to the next level or I started to see the method behind their madness because Disney Home Video’s Phineas and Ferb the Movie – Across the 2nd Dimension (“in glorious 2-D!”) is a fun ride that messes with the characters in interesting ways.
Disney Home Video Presents Phineas and Ferb the Movie – Across the 2nd Dimension on DVD
It’s just an ordinary day for Phineas (Vincent Martella), Ferb (Thomas Sangster) and Perry, their pet platypus: Phineas and Ferb create giant platy-pults to launch themselves in the air while Perry AKA Agent P (Dee Bradley Baker) runs off to thwart Dr. Doofenshmirtz (Dan Povenmire) once again.
Unfortunately – with Phineas and Ferb’s unwitting help – Doofenshmirtz’s latest invention does work: it opens up a portal to another dimension where they all meet alternate versions of themselves. But in this new dimension, Doofenshmirtz is a more formidable villain who has subjugated the entire Tri-State Area. With the portal, he sees a chance to conquer new territory with his vast army of robots. Can Phineas, Ferb and Agent P stop this new, highly competent Doofenshmirtz from executing his evil scheme?
This movie gives Povenmire and Marsh the chance to mess with the formula and they do so effectively. Our heroes not only have to wrestle with the news that their beloved pet has been leading a double life but the notion that everything is different in this other dimension. Chief among these is not only the effectively evil Doofenshmirtz doppelganger but their older sister Candace (Ashley Tisdale) as a tough-as-nails resistance leader.
Phineas and Ferb the Movie – Across the 2nd Dimension DVD Extras
You can scope out 8 scenes that were deleted from the flick, and watch a bonus episode “Attack of the 50-Foot Sister” with or without audio commentary. In addition, there’s the “Perry-oke” feature, which flashes the song lyrics to each song as it’s being performed – just follow the bouncing platypus. “Dr. D’s Jukebox-inator” is essentially the same thing, but with different tunes.
Phineas and Ferb the Movie – Across the 2nd Dimension DVD a Creative Approach to Series
With this film, Marsh and Povenmire have demonstrated that there’s still plenty of creative gas in the Phineas and Ferb tank. Unlike some shows which have gone on creative autopilot (*cough* Spongebob *cough*), Phineas and Ferb aren’t afraid to mess with their successful formula. Although most jokes are aimed at the kiddies, parents will enjoy the Harry Potter, Star Wars and Terminator nods that crop up in strange places.
Phineas and Ferb the Movie – Across the 2nd Dimension gets a 4/5.
