71 reviews
This has to be one of the better feature-length adaptations of Disney Channel cartoons. As was the case with the first Phineas and Ferb movie, Across The 2nd Dimension, too often do these films rely on 'large-scale' action, without remaining faithful to the essence of the actual show, often for fear of just being an extended TV episode.
However, Candace Against The Universe is different, as it manages to tell an engaging feature-length story while still retaining the original show's brilliantly zany sense of humour and imagination. What's more, with a heartfelt story and an uplifting message in the end, it's a pleasant and joyful kids' movie that has something for all to enjoy.
But most importantly, if you've not seen Phineas and Ferb before, you'll be completely lost from the start of the movie. To its credit, this film is designed first and foremost for fans of the original series, and doesn't spend any time explaining the characters, their back stories and relationships.
That means it gets straight into the action, impressively using every second of its 86 minute runtime to tell a fun, action-packed story. If you've never seen Phineas and Ferb before, though, you'll likely be bemused at every second, from why the relationship between Candace and her brothers seems so strained to why they have a secret agent platypus for a pet.
Fans of the show, however, will love the heaps of references to the original cartoon, as well as its faithful revival of the series' core qualities. Unlike Across The 2nd Dimension, which often took itself a little too seriously, Candace Against The Universe is a feature-length episode of the show, with all the same humour, imagination and heart on display.
There is sci-fi and action that you wouldn't normally see in a 10-minute episode, but that's secondary to the film's fun factor. From non-sequitur jokes galore to moments of really surprising, heartfelt drama, this movie has pretty much everything that you love about the show, with the exception of some really catchy songs.
But the main thing that makes this movie so fun is that it really doesn't take itself seriously. The story isn't particularly thrilling, but it is entertaining and engaging throughout, even when it doesn't make a lick of sense. Couple that with a screenplay that puts faith in your connection to the characters, and Candace Against The Universe proves an utterly delightful watch from start to finish.
However, Candace Against The Universe is different, as it manages to tell an engaging feature-length story while still retaining the original show's brilliantly zany sense of humour and imagination. What's more, with a heartfelt story and an uplifting message in the end, it's a pleasant and joyful kids' movie that has something for all to enjoy.
But most importantly, if you've not seen Phineas and Ferb before, you'll be completely lost from the start of the movie. To its credit, this film is designed first and foremost for fans of the original series, and doesn't spend any time explaining the characters, their back stories and relationships.
That means it gets straight into the action, impressively using every second of its 86 minute runtime to tell a fun, action-packed story. If you've never seen Phineas and Ferb before, though, you'll likely be bemused at every second, from why the relationship between Candace and her brothers seems so strained to why they have a secret agent platypus for a pet.
Fans of the show, however, will love the heaps of references to the original cartoon, as well as its faithful revival of the series' core qualities. Unlike Across The 2nd Dimension, which often took itself a little too seriously, Candace Against The Universe is a feature-length episode of the show, with all the same humour, imagination and heart on display.
There is sci-fi and action that you wouldn't normally see in a 10-minute episode, but that's secondary to the film's fun factor. From non-sequitur jokes galore to moments of really surprising, heartfelt drama, this movie has pretty much everything that you love about the show, with the exception of some really catchy songs.
But the main thing that makes this movie so fun is that it really doesn't take itself seriously. The story isn't particularly thrilling, but it is entertaining and engaging throughout, even when it doesn't make a lick of sense. Couple that with a screenplay that puts faith in your connection to the characters, and Candace Against The Universe proves an utterly delightful watch from start to finish.
- themadmovieman
- Aug 27, 2020
- Permalink
I love Phineas and Ferb, and even thought the music in this one was mostly forgettable and the villain didn't exactly hit the mark, I still liked the movie. They talked more about Candace, which I liked. They didn't include Perry the Platypus as much as I wish they did, but I thought it was funny that Doof hung out with the kids. There was something off about Ferb's voice, maybe a different voice actor. Overall it was good, and my little brother loved it. 7/10
- harpertastic
- Aug 28, 2020
- Permalink
Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against The Universe check out as a movie that will definitely give you the vibes of nostalgia if you are an OG fan. The pacing feels a little bit fast in the beginning but overall it seems fine. The comic timing, humor, and songs, every single element of the movie tries to keep you on your seat the entire time. Overall it's a movie that you can definitely watch for at least once to enjoy the pure fun.
- pronitmallick
- Aug 30, 2020
- Permalink
It's amazing to see how even after all these years phineas and ferb retains its charm. It's just so great to see the gang back together again
I grew up watching this show, so I know that I'm clouded by nostalgia, but...
It was good, kind of felt like a little reunion for the fans and the characters. It had lots of references to older episodes that someone who hasn't seen most of the show wouldn't get, but I don't think they'll ruin the watching experience. Lots of good joke, although some didn't land, but that is to be expected with any comedy. There were a few pop culture references that will date the movie and maybe feel "cringe" (just 'cause I want to make this review feel dated). Has good pacing and doesn't slip too much at the third act, but it still does a little, although I'm not sure if that's because I started to feel restless at the 45 minute mark or the film ( I get restless at that point in all movies so...) it has a predictable story but is not hindered too much by that fact. Over all I enjoyed it, it was fun to watch with my parents and siblings, good pick for a family movie night.
- thebestoliviagraceofalltime
- Aug 29, 2020
- Permalink
I'm not ashamed at all to say I'm a 43yr old male and still get excited for this cartoon!!!!! It's awesome on all cylinders!!!! My kids and I enjoyed the series as well!!! They need to come back!!!
- ejha-87354
- Aug 28, 2020
- Permalink
- joshuaduffy-01406
- Aug 28, 2020
- Permalink
- littlenoah-12786
- Aug 28, 2020
- Permalink
Absolutely loved this show as a kid. This was not at all disappointing to my entire family and me
- reidh-68118
- Aug 28, 2020
- Permalink
- SofiaHedge
- Aug 28, 2020
- Permalink
I loved the original show. But this just hurts.. I wanted this to be good. It just wasn't. I'm sad and disappointed.
The show Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015) is a great show on Disney Channel that I recommend watching if you have not already and thought Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension (2011) was a great first movie. So, I was excited for the second movie Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020) coming 5 years later after the show ended.
Phineas and Ferb the Movie-Candace Against the Universe (2020) is a great return for Phineas and Ferb, being just as fun as the show and just as funny with the same great characters.
Phineas, Ferb, Candace, Perry the Platypus, and Dr. Doofenshmirtz are still great and likable characters, while also being funny throughout. It starts out with them doing what they usually do in the show then things change, and they go on a fun adventure to rescue Candace.
The animation is still great and there lots of funny moments, there are some visual gags and will occasionally have some self-aware humor that was funny. The songs in the movie are catchy, fun, and are used at right moments.
There is a fun ultimate battle in the 3rd act and the movie ends with a nice tone. I recommend watching the show Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015) and Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension (2011) before Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020), so you can enjoy it more and have fun with it.
Phineas and Ferb the Movie-Candace Against the Universe (2020) is a great return for Phineas and Ferb, being just as fun as the show and just as funny with the same great characters.
Phineas, Ferb, Candace, Perry the Platypus, and Dr. Doofenshmirtz are still great and likable characters, while also being funny throughout. It starts out with them doing what they usually do in the show then things change, and they go on a fun adventure to rescue Candace.
The animation is still great and there lots of funny moments, there are some visual gags and will occasionally have some self-aware humor that was funny. The songs in the movie are catchy, fun, and are used at right moments.
There is a fun ultimate battle in the 3rd act and the movie ends with a nice tone. I recommend watching the show Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015) and Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension (2011) before Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020), so you can enjoy it more and have fun with it.
- MB-reviewer185
- Sep 22, 2022
- Permalink
I love watching the show!! My only complaint about the newest movie "Candace Against The Universe", is that the animation was not very good. Overall though, I loved it. The gang really needs to come back.
- judahwintersjr
- Mar 17, 2021
- Permalink
- raben-81146
- Sep 21, 2022
- Permalink
Just watched it and it was amazing. Made me come back to my childhood, the story is action packed, the animation is so fluid, the characters are great and the songs. Oh my gosh the songs are some of the best I've ever listened to for Phineas and Ferb. So good, I preordered the soundtrack to listen to them again. I know what you're gonna do today. Watch this movie on Disney+!
- danielprevell
- Aug 27, 2020
- Permalink
- titushowlett
- Nov 10, 2020
- Permalink
After seeing the trailer for this movie, i was looking forward to watching it. i grew up watching phineas and ferb and was really hoping for a nostalgic experience, but all i got was a fairly cringey poor attempt at a movie. the jokes we're predictable, the songs didn't give off their old vibe, and it just wasn't funny. quite frankly i didn't laugh once. i give disney some credit however. they didn't HAVE to make this movie but they still did. as much as i didn't particularly enjoy the movie, it was fairly nostalgic. i recommend watching it, just be prepared for disappointment :)
- thomasfanelli
- Sep 2, 2020
- Permalink
I will start with saying that i never watched this tv show as a kid and since im 21 now i doubt i will watch it now anytime soon,but still since i was bored i decided to watch this film and i must say that i was more or less satisfayed with a final product..Story was fine and it had some great family moments in it and young kids and old fans will be happy with a time spent of a big or small screen.Animation was also fine for this kind of budget and voice acting was also impressive cause it is more a little know tv show and not some big budget animation project.
- marmar-69780
- Aug 29, 2020
- Permalink
This film took what the original show did and put it to a whole new level; it stuck to its roots and did a damn good job at it.
The plot, songs, comedy and characters are so rich and alive with feeling and emotional impact. While I'm not a critic, I've seen my far share of badly adapted tv show movies and this is not one of them; this is one of the best, if not the best. This film brought me so much joy and happiness seeing these characters I grew up with go through a whole new adventure with an appropriately sized Disney budget. I'm pretty sure that this is one of the only feature length films in the last few years that's 2D animation, not 3D (something that I'm happy about).
Overall, I'm blown away. Despite not having worked on the show for 8 or so years, Dan and 'Swampy' manage to tell and engaging, happy, funny, deep and meaning story about the struggles of the whole universe being against you.
Absolutely amazing, 10/10
The plot, songs, comedy and characters are so rich and alive with feeling and emotional impact. While I'm not a critic, I've seen my far share of badly adapted tv show movies and this is not one of them; this is one of the best, if not the best. This film brought me so much joy and happiness seeing these characters I grew up with go through a whole new adventure with an appropriately sized Disney budget. I'm pretty sure that this is one of the only feature length films in the last few years that's 2D animation, not 3D (something that I'm happy about).
Overall, I'm blown away. Despite not having worked on the show for 8 or so years, Dan and 'Swampy' manage to tell and engaging, happy, funny, deep and meaning story about the struggles of the whole universe being against you.
Absolutely amazing, 10/10
- Cam4Sullivan
- Aug 28, 2020
- Permalink
This was a charming and mostly entertaining movie. The music was quite good and engaging. I was particularly impressed with some of the voicework particularly from Ashley Tisdale who played Candace. Ali Wong was also great as the Super Super Big Doctor. Most of the kids voice-acting was good. A lot of the humor was goofy but still funny. Some of the scenes were a little drawn out and lame. But, it had a charm to it. It's a frivolous fun movie - great for the kids.
Pros:
I watched this movie because i love the show and the first movie was amazing. Compared to the first movie, this movie is terrible. Even the mediocre episodes are better than this. I would go as far as to say that's it's got almost none of the magic, and only a little of the usual humor.
All of the voices are there as are the main characters. The movie spends a lot of time making fun of what the characters are supposed to be doing rather than just doing it. For example, in one episode of the show, after the doof evil inc jingle, we see the people singing it in the next room. In the movie, they make fun of the music or sound effects as well, except they wonder about it and then give up. It's a cute gag gone stupid. There's another where they do other stupid things with social media and whatnot. The humor just falls flat.
A second major point of the story is the sentimentality. It really doesn't flow. And then when they bring it to its crescendo at the end of the movie, where it might have worked, but because the build up was so bad, it's comes off poorly.
They even tried to pull off a scene similar to the now-is-now scene from Spaceballs (where they watch the movie to find the rebels). Cute idea, but painful to watch.
Not everything is terrible though. Doof has a cute invention and a half-decent song. Norm has a cameo. The opening scene with Doof is worthwhile.
I don't think the creators lost their touch, inasmuch as tried too hard for meta humor. I'm surprised the movie made it past the test audience.
Overall, i would recommend not wasting your time on this movie. Even if you're a fan of the show, it's mostly a boring waste of time.
- Phinneas and Ferb
- A couple of the gags
- Songs
- Characters
- Plot
- Most of the execution
I watched this movie because i love the show and the first movie was amazing. Compared to the first movie, this movie is terrible. Even the mediocre episodes are better than this. I would go as far as to say that's it's got almost none of the magic, and only a little of the usual humor.
All of the voices are there as are the main characters. The movie spends a lot of time making fun of what the characters are supposed to be doing rather than just doing it. For example, in one episode of the show, after the doof evil inc jingle, we see the people singing it in the next room. In the movie, they make fun of the music or sound effects as well, except they wonder about it and then give up. It's a cute gag gone stupid. There's another where they do other stupid things with social media and whatnot. The humor just falls flat.
A second major point of the story is the sentimentality. It really doesn't flow. And then when they bring it to its crescendo at the end of the movie, where it might have worked, but because the build up was so bad, it's comes off poorly.
They even tried to pull off a scene similar to the now-is-now scene from Spaceballs (where they watch the movie to find the rebels). Cute idea, but painful to watch.
Not everything is terrible though. Doof has a cute invention and a half-decent song. Norm has a cameo. The opening scene with Doof is worthwhile.
I don't think the creators lost their touch, inasmuch as tried too hard for meta humor. I'm surprised the movie made it past the test audience.
Overall, i would recommend not wasting your time on this movie. Even if you're a fan of the show, it's mostly a boring waste of time.
- matitya-33937
- Aug 1, 2022
- Permalink