Premiering in 2007 and ending in 2015, Disney Channel. The show followed step-brothers, Phineas and Ferb, on their mission to make every summer day the best it can be. While the boys create out of this world inventions, their sister Candace devotes every day to trying to bust them to their mother, Linda. Known for building extreme activities, such as a rollercoaster or having an outer space adventure, nothing was ever too impossible for Phineas, Ferb, and their friends. Meanwhile, their pet, Perry the Platypus, doubles as a secret agent and continually thwarts Dr. Doofenshmirtz's schemes.
Phineas and Ferb had two movies, Phineas and Ferb: Across The 2nd Dimension and Candace Against The Universe but which one is the best? Let's compare their best qualities.
Across The 2nd Dimension: Agent P
In the show, it's always clear that Phineas and Ferb love Perry, but the movie proves just how much. Perry really gets to shine during Across The Second Dimension. Finally, Phineas and Ferb learn the truth about their beloved pet's double life, but they aren't thrilled with the development.
Phineas feels hurt and betrayed by the truth, and plenty of the film's angst and emotional aspect comes from Phineas's feelings about Perry. One of the best moments that show Phineas and Ferb's relationship with Perry is when they decide to let their memories of the day be wiped because they would rather have Perry than know his secret.
Candace Against The Universe: ing Characters
Across The 2nd Dimension does include Isabella, Baljeet, and Buford, but they mainly exist in a separated subplot. Their alternate universe counterparts get more screentime and development. This is not the case in Candace Against The Universe.
The Isabella, Buford, Baljeet, Vanessa, and even includes cameos of the show's recurring characters. Although Vanessa's storyline is slightly separated, Isabella, Baljeet, and Buford are integral to the story.
Across The 2nd Dimension: Alternate Doofenshmirtz
Using one of the show's most continuous plot lines, the movie answers how the world would look if Doofenshmirtz took over the Tri-State Area. Since Doofenshmirtz is the central villain in Phineas and Ferb, viewers had an idea of what to expect from his counterpart.
While Alternate Doofenshmirtz doesn't go on a long rant about his tragic past, he does acknowledge his villainous backstory to be about losing a toy train. It is comedic and perfectly in tune with the Doofenshmirtz fans already know while letting the counterpart be slightly more competent.
Candace Against The Universe: Isabella Vs. Doofenshmirtz
An unexpected highlight of Cance Against The Universe involves Isabella and Doofenshmirtz fighting over who should lead their group. Isabella believes her experience with the outdoors, proven by her Fire Side Girl patches, is reason enough why she should be in charge.
Doofenshmirtz's only rebuttal is that he is an adult. It isn't much of an argument, but it is an intriguing exchange. When Doofenshmirtz separates from the kids, Isabella ends their debate by giving Doofenshmirtz a patch for getting back to Earth and tells him to earn it.
Across The 2nd Dimension: Show's Continuity
Candace Against The Universe perfectly fits into the Phineas and Ferb universe. No character or joke feels out of place from the original series. However, the continuity regarding the series is more confusing. At times, the film feels slightly separated from the existing content, with some details not matching the show's timeline.
Across The 2nd Dimension doesn't have this, and the film does feel like a part of the show. Even though all their memories are erased, there are brief references to the film in later episodes.
Candace Against The Universe: Familial Moments
Phineas and Ferb are confused by Candace's ission that she hasn't had a great summer. To make it up to her, the boys make Candace a gift, but she is abducted before they can give it to her. Near the end, Candace finally opens their present to find a hologram of their sibling moments.
After spending so much time wanting to be special, the movie shows that Candace has always been extraordinary to her brothers.
Across The 2nd Dimension: Alternate Universes
Candace Against The Universe does a brilliant job of developing Feebla-Oot. The society, citizens, and appearance of the world are all distinguished and different than how Earth is portrayed. But, in Across The 2nd Dimension, Phineas and Ferb get to explore several different universes. Part of the conflict follows Phineas and Ferb's attempts to get home as they can't return to their dimension the way they arrived.
It answers questions about how major characters would have changed had Dr. Doofenshmirtz had been in charge and expands the universe to show completely different worlds until the group finds their way home.
Candace Against The Universe: Super Super Big Doctor
Candace wants to be special, and Super Super Big Doctor gives her that exact gift. For a time, Candace is The Chosen One, looked upon, and appraised by all Super Super Big Doctor's followers. However, the film manipulates Candace's desire, showing being in total control to be more of a nightmare.
Super Super Big Doctor only got where she was by placing her brothers in the dungeon and using mind-controlling spores. By showing Candace's biggest wish through someone else's horrifying dictatorship, it gives Candace a new perspective on her actions and desires.
Across The Second Dimension: Saving The World
Both films conclude with an action sequence to save Danville from being conquered. However, Across The 2nd Dimension does so in a more captivating way. In that movie, the reveal of everyone coming together to help defeat the robots using Phineas and Ferb's inventions feels like an appreciation and culmination of everything they've done over the summer.
Several inventions get a moment of recognition as they are used to destroy the robots. Candace Against The Universe gets an exciting finale, but it is limited to the central main and ing characters instead of expanding it to all those who appeared in the show.
Candace Against The Universe: Candace's Storyline
Candace has an amusing storyline in Across The 2nd Dimension, but she is more developed in Candace Against The Universe. With Candace at the forefront, the movie has time to dig deep into Candace's thoughts and feelings toward Phineas, Ferb, and herself. Vanessa hints at Candace's evolution early in the movie.
But, to see it occur and later have Candace use the same words to have Super Super Big Doctor understand her emotional struggles shows Candace's character growth. She even contradicts her largest desire when Candace decides not to bust Phineas and Ferb and instead actively sends her mother away from the area.
