After 5 long years, we have a new Phineas and Ferb movie! Fans rejoice! Is Phineas and Ferb The Move: Candace Against the Universe kid friendly? This one is a little dark with the jokes, but it may remind of the early Phineas and Ferb years. After interviewing P & F creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, they said they want to appeal to adults and children, and that some of the jokes won’t go over their heads; kids are smarter than we think. Here’s what parents need to know in this Candace Against the Universe Parents Guide.
Is Phineas and Ferb Candace Against the Universe Kid Friendly?
Candace (Ashley Tisdale) is the main character of this Phineas and Ferb movie (let’s hear it for the girls!). She has spent an entire series and several movies trying to bust her brothers to her mom (Caroline Rhea). And while over the course of the show, she may have been successful a time or two in her dreams, is this finally her moment?
As the movie begins, Candace fails again in revealing her brothers’ inventions and hijinks to their mom, thus leaving her feeling like the universe is against her. She has a heart-to-heart with Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s daughter, Vanessa, and is on the cusp of realizing that perhaps it’s her own insecurities causing her to be unhappy and blame her brothers, but then she and Vanessa are abducted by aliens. Now Phineas (Vincent Martella) and Ferb (David Errigo Jr.) must save their sister along with friends Baljeet (Maulik Pancholy), Isabella (Alyson Stoner), and Buford (Bobby Gaylor).
Language
There is no foul language, but there are words like butt and freak.
Mature Content
Kids should watch out for some animated violence in Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe like a giant plant that eats people, aliens that explode, and characters falling off cliffs or setting things on fire. There is also a plant that can control people’s minds and some characters are in jeopardy.
Is Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe Appropriate for Kids Under 8?
If you’re already fans of Phineas and Ferb, then there’s plenty more laughs to enjoy with the family. Phineas and Ferb has always been a show that my whole family could enjoy together, and this is no different. Some young kids may be scared by the creatures, but Candace Against the Universe is ok for kids ages 6 and up.
You can still enjoy the film without having seen Phineas and Ferb, but I do recommend going back to watch the other episodes later. It’s really one of those goofy, smart comedies for kids, the ones I miss these days.
In Candace Against the Universe, you really get the backstory of why Candace has been wanting to bust her brothers. Sometimes there’s a fine line of rooting for her and wondering why she’s so mad, and now we know. Plus this film is a walk down memory lane with some of the Phineas and Ferb highlights, and I felt myself tearing up a little. Candace finally gets her due, and I’m here for it.
This is a different storyline for Povenmire and Marsh, and they wanted to add a bit of peril to the normal summer fun action from Phineas and Ferb. Sometimes things get weird, and that’s some of the charm. The musical numbers also make Phineas and Ferb The Movie more kid friendly. Though Doofenshmirtz’s “Adulting” song was silly, it was a favorite with the elementary school crowd here.
Phineas and Ferb fans have plenty of Easter Eggs throughout the film, families get an extension of summer vacation, and Candace gets her movie to shine. I call that a win.
Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe is now streaming on Disney+!
