Can the Movie-Rank-Inator Judge True Art?

A definitive ranking of all Phineas and Ferb feature films  by Varnika Dhandapani

If there is one show that has shaped our collective childhoods, it’s Phineas and Ferb. This clever animated series reminded us that we were capable of great things and that youth is not wasted on the young, despite what other generations may think of us. 

This is not to say that Phineas and Ferb is a perfect show. A show that perpetuates racist and sexist stereotypes in its portrayal of characters is far from perfect. However, the show has kept viewers hooked with witty comedy that appeals to folks of all ages in combination with absurd yet creative plotlines. The movies are no exception, and the recent release of Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe has given us a moment to reminisce on brighter days with the ingenious Fireside Girls, blundering Dr. Doofenshmirtz, and Candace, who is inarguably the most persistent character in television history. 

With the insight that comes with age, we can now take a moment to discuss the questions that even the best film class will leave unanswered: is Candace Against the Universe the best of the films? And where exactly is Perry?

All of the movies on this list were entertaining to watch, but Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel and Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars are at the bottom of the list. Even though they deliver with funky comedy, Mission Marvel ranks last because the main challenge Phineas and Ferb had to overcome was because Candace accidentally messes with one of their inventions. This felt like a trite story and an unimaginative use of Candace’s character. At the end of the movie, Candace and Isabella do end up saving the day, but only after feeling useless and less capable than other characters throughout the entire first act. While it is satisfying to see Phineas and Ferb invent the unthinkable episode after episode and movie after movie, it’s equally frustrating to see the other characters look inferior next to them. 

Next is Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars. This film is an enjoyable retelling that incorporates Phineas and Ferb characters into a Star Wars story. The plot follows the main characters, who all have roles in the Star Wars universe, and their fight both against each other and against Darthenshmirtz’s weaponization of pure evil: the“Sith-Inator”, which serves in his quest to become more feared than Darth Vader. The final battle is a surprise because it ends up being a lightsaber battle between Phineas and Ferb, after the latter has been struck by the Sith-Inator, instead of a more predictable fight between Phineas and Darthenschmirtz. Ferb finally takes the stage, and Candace, Baljeet, and Buford complete their redemption arc when they leave their positions as stormtroopers in the Galactic Empire. The most exciting aspect of this movie is the jokes made at the expense of the original Star Wars franchise. What could be more fun than poking fun at Star Wars plot holes, especially if they lead to satirical scenes like stormtroopers working desk jobs and being more incompetent than they are in the actual Star Wars movies? 

In second place, is Candace Against the Universe. To be honest, Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars could easily swap places with this film. The latest installment comes through with humor about social media and the dynamic between teenagers and their parents, but above all, provides a satisfying end for Candace’s character arc. After some introspection, Candace sees her own value as a person other than Phineas and Ferb’s older sister and takes her life into her own hands. Candace makes confident decisions from her own intelligence and intuition and saves the planet from an alien invasion. At the close of the movie, she gets the moment she waited over 104 days of summer vacation for: a chance to bust her brothers. She chooses not to, and directs her mother away from the mess, seeing that she has value on her own without any comparisons to her brothers. This is an excellent end to the series because we see Candace receive the self-respect she deserves. 
At the top of the list, of course, is the classic Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension. Like the first movie, Across the 2nd Dimension is a high stakes sci-fi movie with a conflict that threatened disaster that could not be contained just to the movie. Across the 2nd Dimension brings familiar characters to a familiar yet unfamiliar world. The alternate versions of the main characters show them what they lack, and the kind of relationships they could have with one another. The subplot that truly controls the tension and emotion in this movie is Perry’s dilemma: if he reveals his identity in order to protect his family, he will immediately be relocated. In the alternate dimension, Perry is forced to reveal his true identity as Agent Perry. While he does rescue the friends, a sense of dread settles over the audience, who knows what Perry has sacrificed. Thankfully, Carl remembers they have a device to erase memories, and everyone goes back to their lives with no knowledge of a second dimension. This bittersweet ending, along with the complexities of character growth, truly sets this film apart, especially for kids who are used to perfect utopian endings.