REVIEW: Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against The Universe (2020)
Thanks to being a D23 Gold Member, I was able to watch Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against The Universe in advance of its premiere on Disney+.
While this movie comes five years after the last episode aired, its still business as usual for our favorite boys of summer. Phineas (Vincent Martella) and Ferb (David Errigo Jr. who fills in for Thomas Brodie-Sangster) are perpetually creating the best summer ever while Candace (Ashley Tisdale) is out to bust them. This time, though, Candace is the hero. She and her friend Vanessa Doofenshmirtz (Olivia Olson) end up getting trapped in a space ship which takes them to the planet Feebla-Oot in the Vroblok Cluster [Vroblok-Vroblok-Vroblok-Vroblok-Vroblok. This will make more sense if you see the movie]. The two get separated and Candace turns out to be the chosen one who can help the aliens save their planet.
In the meantime, Phineas and Ferb surmise that Candace did not go up in the space ship willingly. The two put together a search party consisting of the usual friends Isabella (Alyson Stoner), Buford (Bobby Gaylor), and Baljeet (Maulik Pancholy). Unusually, they find themselves in the company of Dr. Doofenshmirtz (Dan Povenmire) himself who is trying to rescue his own daughter. And, as always, Perry The Platypus (Dee Bradley Baker) is not far behind.
At first, Candace is made to feel special by her new friend, the leader of the planet, Super Super Big Doctor (Ali Wong), but it turns out that she is being used for her own nefarious needs. Will Phineas and Ferb rescue Candace? Will Candace save the universe? I think we all know the answers, but how we get there is just so darn fun.
This movie was like watching one of the best episodes of Phineas and Ferb, only extended to an hour and a half. Complete with witty and fun music, Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against The Universe reminds us why we love Phineas and Ferb and why we miss them! The humor is on point in this 90 minute special.
I loved how they had Doofenshmirtz as part of the group this time around. He made a hilarious companion and I love the fact that nobody questions why this adult in a lab coat and a chicken-inator is going with them. It was a clever way of including Doofenshmirtz into the B-story without having to create a C-story.
Ali Wong, who's star has really been on the rise lately, was completely hilarious. Her deliver was amazing, especially every time she made Candace's name into a euphemism. But, mostly, I'm glad Candace got a chance to shine in this movie. She is usually a wonderful addition to the show but is always overshadowed by her brother. This time she isn't crazy an this time she's doing things on her own terms.
If you loved Phineas and Ferb, you're going to love Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against The Universe. It may not reinvent anything, but we really don't want it to. This is the ride we've always wanted. This is the best day ever!