Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe Parent Guide
Fans of the series will enjoy this intergalactic romp.
Parent Movie Review
Phineas (Vincent Martella) and Ferb (David Errigo, Jr.) are having the time of their lives over summer vacation, using their backyard to build a full size roller coaster, functioning robot versions of themselves, and most recently, a four story robotic clown that juggles them and other neighborhood kids. Not that this unrestrained summer fun doesn’t have consequences: their older sister, Candace (Ashley Tisdale), is going insane. Despite her best efforts, she can’t get the boys busted: anytime she manages to get their mom to come look at whatever monstrosity her brothers have constructed in the yard, the roller coaster/robot/race track has somehow vanished. Candace is starting to feel like Phineas and Ferb get all the positive attention, leaving none for her. So when she is abducted by mysterious aliens and declared “The Chosen One” by them, Candace decides there might be a few advantages to being millions of light-years from her pesky siblings. Phineas and Ferb are on their way to rescue her, though, and Candace might need them more than she thought. The aliens never specified what they chose her for…
There is, predictably, nothing for parents to worry about here. The only concern is some over-the-top slapstick violence, which is about what you’d expect from kid cartoon comedy. Even better, the filmmakers have packed in some cute little moral lessons. Most of the focus is on trying to make siblings understand each other and get along – the kind of message my mom would have paid through the nose to get my sister and I to listen to. But there are other messages like questioning your own motives, having a positive self-image, and seeing that friends can be family too. It’s a nice little movie, if you like the Phineas and Ferb style.
This is functionally an 80 minute episode of the TV series. If that’s what you want – goofy musical numbers, impossible hijinks, a pet platypus/secret agent – you won’t be disappointed. The formula is followed to the letter, with a little bit of character development sprinkled in to justify the run time. I’m not sure that this is prime parental viewing, but the kids will have a blast. After all, who among us hasn’t fantasized about their sibling being abducted by aliens? I know I have.
Directed by Bob Bowen. Starring Vincent Martella, Dee Bradley Baker, Ashley Tisdale. Running time: 84 minutes. Theatrical release August 28, 2020. Updated October 27, 2020Watch the trailer for Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe
Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe
Rating & Content Info
Why is Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe rated TV-G? Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe is rated TV-G by the MPAA
Violence: There is occasional cartoon slapstick violence.
Sexual Content: None.
Profanity: None.
Alcohol / Drug Use: None.
Page last updated October 27, 2020
Loved this movie? Try these books…
My Brother is from Outer Space (The Book of Proof) by Vivian Ostrow is a good choice for younger kids. Along a similar theme is My Sister is an Alien! By Rachel Bright. If your family are driving you crazy, you might be driven to desperate measure to get some peace. Paul Noth tells one such tale in How to Sell Your Family to the Aliens.
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe movie is August 31, 2020. Here are some details…
Related home video titles:
Alien abduction isn’t an unusual premise for kids’ movies. Other examples include Mars Needs Moms, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Space Jam, and Zathura. Older audiences might better appreciate films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Galaxy Quest, or even Alien. What happens when aliens come to earth is a whole other story – see E.T., Lilo & Stitch, Men In Black, or The Iron Giant. Another movie spin-off of a children’s cartoon released recently is The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run.