(I'll explain my title down below in the 'spoiler' section.) I'm 38 and do not have children. My favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy. I love animation, both American and Japanese, and after watching tens of thousands of shows, I have developed VERY high standards.
Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension meets my standards admirably. It's definitely a thinking person's movie/series, with all kinds of cultural references (remember the show Laverne and Shirley?) and deeper levels of thought than most of today's mindless entertainment, yet kids can watch and enjoy it immensely for the action, quirky humor, songs, and deep bonds of love between family and friends. "Anyone ELSE here leading a bizarre double life? Put your hand down, Ferb."
Honestly, I'd never seen the show before I watched this movie on a whim, and was pulled into their world within minutes! The only time this has happened to me in the past ten years was during the fantastic movie 'Megamind', so I knew I was watching something special. You will CARE about these characters, even the villains.
Right from the beginning, the music swept me up on a glorious ride I have YET to come down from after more than an month. I even bought the 3 CDs (You want the Wal. Mart exclusive Movie CD-it has ten extra songs from the series including fan favorites Spa Day, A-G-L-E-T, Candace Party and Watchin' and Waiting'), bought the Summer Belongs to You Amazn download, and even went looking online for those that aren't on the CDs.
(The music itself really needs a separate review, as there were 261 movie/series songs already as of May 2012, across a huge range of music genres. There's something for everyone, fun, upbeat and catchy as all get-out! Seriously, I watch this show as much for the music as the plots, characters and laughs. The best part is they're written to be easily singable by everyone. I appreciate little details like that.)
For a fascinating, touching look at deeper issues, watch the episode 'Phineas and Ferb Get Busted' It's one of my favorites; actually brought tears to my eyes more than once. Note the nod to the 'chain gang' songs of historical America.
One more thing. I highly approve of the wide range of world-views this show displays, from happy blended families (the two main characters are stepbrothers) to looks at other cultures (supporting characters are of Indian, Mexican-Jewish and Japanese cultures) to the show's central concept-that anything can be accomplished if you use your imagination, work hard, and above all, get out there and DO something!
I'd heard of this show for years but never got around to watching it. Now I wish had, but for those of you who are on the fence, if you have Amazn Prime you get to watch the first two seasons for free, SD or HD. So what are you waiting for? As the song goes, Carpe Diem~ and enjoy the wonderful world you are about to enter. I'll be right there with you.
SPOILERS!!!.....
What I meant by 'explores the one place they haven't gone' I'm not talking about a parallel dimension, although they do that, too. I'm talking about the heart. I'm talking about seeing friendly, beloved characters display enough bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of genuine evil to make your heart swell with pride (Phineas' rare "No" scene stands out), new ways of looking at the world (Candace seeing her brothers through Alternate Candace's eyes as precious treasures to be loved and protected) and even budding love (Phineas' reaction to Isabella's kiss leaves you no doubt about his feelings for HER).
Even better, Phineas fans will be thrilled at the exploration of his character, as the normally calm, even-tempered Phineas is upset, hurt and even angry at Perry's years of deception and worse, letting the boys actually help an evil scientist further his evil plans. It's proof of just how much he loves Perry, since betrayal from those we love always hurts the worst. Their eventual reconciliation is just beautiful to watch, so heartwarming!
I understood why they had to have their memories erased-since Candace's attempts to 'bust' her brothers is one of the main conflicts of the show, so that didn't disappoint me as it did other people. But even though their memories are erased, you'll remember.
Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension meets my standards admirably. It's definitely a thinking person's movie/series, with all kinds of cultural references (remember the show Laverne and Shirley?) and deeper levels of thought than most of today's mindless entertainment, yet kids can watch and enjoy it immensely for the action, quirky humor, songs, and deep bonds of love between family and friends. "Anyone ELSE here leading a bizarre double life? Put your hand down, Ferb."
Honestly, I'd never seen the show before I watched this movie on a whim, and was pulled into their world within minutes! The only time this has happened to me in the past ten years was during the fantastic movie 'Megamind', so I knew I was watching something special. You will CARE about these characters, even the villains.
Right from the beginning, the music swept me up on a glorious ride I have YET to come down from after more than an month. I even bought the 3 CDs (You want the Wal. Mart exclusive Movie CD-it has ten extra songs from the series including fan favorites Spa Day, A-G-L-E-T, Candace Party and Watchin' and Waiting'), bought the Summer Belongs to You Amazn download, and even went looking online for those that aren't on the CDs.
(The music itself really needs a separate review, as there were 261 movie/series songs already as of May 2012, across a huge range of music genres. There's something for everyone, fun, upbeat and catchy as all get-out! Seriously, I watch this show as much for the music as the plots, characters and laughs. The best part is they're written to be easily singable by everyone. I appreciate little details like that.)
For a fascinating, touching look at deeper issues, watch the episode 'Phineas and Ferb Get Busted' It's one of my favorites; actually brought tears to my eyes more than once. Note the nod to the 'chain gang' songs of historical America.
One more thing. I highly approve of the wide range of world-views this show displays, from happy blended families (the two main characters are stepbrothers) to looks at other cultures (supporting characters are of Indian, Mexican-Jewish and Japanese cultures) to the show's central concept-that anything can be accomplished if you use your imagination, work hard, and above all, get out there and DO something!
I'd heard of this show for years but never got around to watching it. Now I wish had, but for those of you who are on the fence, if you have Amazn Prime you get to watch the first two seasons for free, SD or HD. So what are you waiting for? As the song goes, Carpe Diem~ and enjoy the wonderful world you are about to enter. I'll be right there with you.
SPOILERS!!!.....
What I meant by 'explores the one place they haven't gone' I'm not talking about a parallel dimension, although they do that, too. I'm talking about the heart. I'm talking about seeing friendly, beloved characters display enough bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of genuine evil to make your heart swell with pride (Phineas' rare "No" scene stands out), new ways of looking at the world (Candace seeing her brothers through Alternate Candace's eyes as precious treasures to be loved and protected) and even budding love (Phineas' reaction to Isabella's kiss leaves you no doubt about his feelings for HER).
Even better, Phineas fans will be thrilled at the exploration of his character, as the normally calm, even-tempered Phineas is upset, hurt and even angry at Perry's years of deception and worse, letting the boys actually help an evil scientist further his evil plans. It's proof of just how much he loves Perry, since betrayal from those we love always hurts the worst. Their eventual reconciliation is just beautiful to watch, so heartwarming!
I understood why they had to have their memories erased-since Candace's attempts to 'bust' her brothers is one of the main conflicts of the show, so that didn't disappoint me as it did other people. But even though their memories are erased, you'll remember.