Although the duo has starred in extended episodes, Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension is the series' first full-length movie. Although the series' format doesn't seem conducive to a full 77-minute episode, it manages to hold up nicely. It is packed with everything fans have come to expect from the series, including geeky winks and nods, smart one-liners and nearly every gadget the boys have invented since episode one.
The movie's initial setup begins like a typical episode. Phineas and Ferb are ready to discover, "What we're going to do today." Meanwhile, their pet platypus, Perry, -- who also moonlights as Secret Agent P -- is warned about accidently revealing his secret, double-life to his foster family. If they find out, his cover is blown and he'll be sent to another family.
On the other side of Danville, Agent P's nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, is finishing work on his latest plot, The Otherdimensionator, which he hopes will... well, Doofenshimirtz isn't sure what will come out of the plot. In fact, he's pretty sure Agent P will show up with his usual uncanny timing. Instead, he receives a visit from Phineas and Ferb who, due to a slight miscalculation with a Platypult, end up in his lab. The boys help Doofenshmirtz finish the device, only to have a delayed Agent P show up, forcing him to blow his cover and, in a chain of events, get sucked into an alternate version of Danville where Doofenshmirtz is actually an evil genius.
From here, the boys set out to find their alternate selves only to find Doofenshmirtz isn't the only thing different in this dimension. Then there's the Agent P/ Perry situation, which Phineas isn't taking very well.
As I said, Across the 2nd Dimension is everything fans have come to expect from the series. It is really cool to see just how much story is packed into the first 45-minutes; it cruises at a great pace and manages to hold viewer interest better than most TV shows-turned-movie. However, once it hits the third act, the movie loses a lot of steam. It is still a lot of fun, but it deteriorates into one giant action sequence. On one hand, it is fun to see every Phineas and Ferb gadget in action (the cameos are wild!), but on the other, it doesn't feel right - like it is going against the show's nature. Part of me wishes the sequence had stayed in one dimension rather than both. I won't give the plot away, but it would have made more sense had it all stayed in one place.
I also wasn't thrilled with the ending. From the start, I expected some sort of status quo reset, but that doesn't make it any less annoying. Of course, the show wouldn't have worked after the movie, but I'm sure something could have stuck.
The DVD set comes with a couple of amusing extras. The best of the pack is a paper craft "Platypult." I had way too much fun putting the model together and even more launching the included discs across my desk. Really -- this entire article would have been in much earlier if it wasn't sitting next to me on my desk. It is made from heavy-duty cardboard and easy to put together. I do, however, recommend using a little tape since the "snaps" don't hold as well as they should.
Also included is a set of eight musical tracks, which you can transfer to iTunes or any other MP3 player. There's also a collection of deleted scenes and a bonus episode, "Attack of the 50 Foot Sister." The episode is cool, but the better part is the creator commentary.
You also get a digital copy of the movie.
Even with the rough ending, Phineas and Ferb fans will love Phineas and Ferb: The Movie Across the 2nd Dimension, making it an easy recommendation.
