Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Let's do the timewarp again!, February 17, 2009
Other than a penchant for inspired madness and mad scientists, there is no overt relation between Disney's "Phineas & Ferb" cartoon series and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But you'll see a backstage connection if you read the credits at the end of the five two-cartoon episodes on the this new DVD, "The Daze of Summer," the second in the DVD series.
Comprised of shows selected from both seasons, almost every cartoon in the collection features a very impressive cast of voice actors and others known for their on-camera work. But series creators Jeff "Swampy" Marsh and Dan Povenmire (who also voices the neurotic, insecure Doofensmirtz) must be big-time Rocky Horror fans because the voice of P & F's clueless dad is none other than Richard O'Brien, one of the "Rocky Horror" creators as well as "Riff Raff" in "Rocky Horror" (and the Childcatcher in the London stage version of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"). Performing other voices in various shows are Rocky Horror alums Tim Curry and Barry Bostwick.
There are also many young actors from various Disney Channel TV series doing voices, most prominently "High School Musical's" Ashley Tisdale as the Dr. Bellows/Mrs. Kravitz-like Candice, the tattletale sister who is never believed my mom (Caroline Rhea). She even gets a solo song, "Queen of Mars," in a two-part episode. Other Disney Channel faves include Mitchel Musso, Alyson Stoner, Brenda Song and Brian Stepanek, as well as top Hollywood voice actors Corey Burton (narrating a film about platypuses) and Tom Kenny (best known as the voice of Spongebob).
Every episode of "Phineas & Ferb fulfills" the wishes of many pre-pubescent boys: it's always summer vacation, the two brothers can create practically anything, visit almost anywhere and always outwit their sister. There is always a parallel story in which their pet platypus, Perry, saves the world from destruction. Both plots usually somehow tie together. I know it doesn't make sense, but you have to see it to get it. The show's creative team really pulls off a rich, gag-filled maze of story in every show, which makes them fun to re-watch.
The episodes are as follows:
JERK DE SOLEIL
Candice's allergic reaction to parsnips gives her an "Audrey II" voice.
TOY TO THE WORLD
The boys create a new toy. There are references to Willy Wonka and searing, sad-but-true jabs at corporate "yessing."
A HARD DAY'S KNIGHT
The family takes a London vacation.
I, BROBOT
Phineas and Ferb create an army of Phinadroids and Ferbots.
IT'S A MUD, MUD, MUD, MUD, MUD WORLD
The brothers try to cheer up their sister with a monster truck show.
THE BALLAD OF BADBEARD
On a camping trip, the boys sail for adventure while Candice hallucinates after touching moss and becomes part of a Perry mission. (Parents note: Candice has the grooviest 60's-style psychedelic experience since Jackie Gleason in Skidoo.)
GREECE LIGHTNING
Candice is again compared to a hideous beast and Doofensmirtz unleashes an urbane robot monster named Norm.
LEAVE THE BUSTING TO US
Candice enlists a TV reality show crew to expose her brothers' latest creation: a theme park in the backyard.
UNFAIR SCIENCE FAIR / SCIENCE FAIR REDUX
Two carttoons edited together, with Candice eventutally being crowned Queen of Mars. A fitting finale.
The DVD also includes a series of interactive games themed to a science fair.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Show, Great Episodes, Great Dvd!!!!!!, February 12, 2009
If you are wondering what episodes are included in Phineas and Ferb: The Daze of Summer, Wonder no more. I own the dvd, and here are the episodes:
1. Jerk De Soleil
2. Toy To The World
3. A Hard Day's Knight
4. I,Brobot
5. It's A Mud,Mud,Mud,Mud World
6. The Ballad Of Badbeard
7. Greece Lightning
8. Leave The Busting To Us
9. Unfair Science Fair
10.Unfair Science Fair Redux
The last two listed episodes( Unfair Science Fair, and Unfair Science Fair Redux) are two episodes which I had never seen before. The episodes are about Phineas and Ferb helping Baljeet build a Portal to Mars, meanwhile Perry is fighting Dr. Doofensmirtz as usual, but it is interesting, because they show Dr. Doofensmirtz first (inator) invention!
Also Candace is trying to get a job with Jeremy.
Also included as a bonus feature on this dvd is THE GOOGOLPLEX MALL SCIENCE FAIR GAME/ACTIVITY. If you are a fan of Phineas and Ferb as I am, I highly suggest that you purchase this AWESOME dvd!!!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best New Kids Cartoon I've Seen in Ages, March 3, 2009
There's something so deliciously ridiculous about Phineas and Ferb. Even if the writing didn't possess a startling self-awareness of its cartoon nature (which it does) the unending series of classic cartoon hijinx would've pushed it over the edge for me. A combination of two genius kids, their sister (who's also aware of the formula that comprises each episode), a pet platypus and all of the adventures you never got to have as a kid makes Phineas and Ferb a wild ride for any child with an imagination. Phineas and Ferb: The Daze of Summer on DVD features five episodes which will do a pretty good job of entertaining the children without annoying the parents with squeaky animals - all of whom, you must apparently catch.
"Jerk de Soleil" / "Toy to the World"
Taking full advantage of the knowledge that their parents just don't seem to ever catch on to their wildest stunts, Phineas and Ferb decide to host a Big Top performance in their backyard. In the second half, Phineas and Ferb go on to create the world's most popular yet pointless toy: a toy platypus which does nothing. Both of these stunts happen much to the chagrin of their sister. The fake toy commercial at the beginning of the second half has a few dependable monkey/platypus laughs.
"A Hard Day's Knight" / "I, Brobot"
A trip to the grandparents' place leads Phineas and Ferb to an adventure of medieval proportions. Meanwhile, Perry the platypus goes up against his evil scientist nemesis Doofenshmirtz who feels, most of the time, like someone straight out of the Tick. In the second half, Phineas and Ferb realize that their ambitions far exceed their ability - until they remember one of their ambitions involves creating robotic duplicates of themselves. It's hard for me to condemn any cartoon that breaks out into a techno dance mix.
"It's a Mud, Mud, Mud, Mud World" / "The Ballad of Badbeard"
To help Candance gain confidence in her driving, Phineas and Ferb create a monster truck - obviously. Unfortunately, their monster truck inclinations attract the attention of the evil Doofenshmirtz leaving Perry to save the day without anyone being the wiser. After hearing the ballad of Badbeard around a campfire, the boys decide to set off in search of the long lost treasure.
"Greece Lightning" / "Leave the Busting to Us"
After a trip to the museum, Phineas and Ferb decide to recreate the ancient Roman chariot races - much to Candance's unfortunate surprise. After countless episodes of her brothers getting away with crazy shenanigans, Candace hires an investigative busting service to spy on her brothers and reveal their activities to her parents.
"Unfair Science Fair" / "Unfair Science Fair Redux"
When a friend of the boys finds himself in dire need of a grade A science fair project, Phineas and Ferb pitch in to make a special two-part episode which involves Mars, Bollywood dance numbers and of course Perry and Doofenshmirtz.
DVD Extra Features:
"Googolplex Mall Science Fair":
With three neat little puzzle games, the extra feature gives children developing their reasoning skills a run for their money...and more so. "WDCTMM (What Do Candace's Text Messages Mean)" gives the viewer an encrypted, abbreviated text message and asks you to figure out which of the 3 supplied choices is the right message. Unfortunately the design of this game needs rethinking. Not only are the kids expected to decrypt the ridiculous text message, but they're timed and given a ribbon based on how quickly they can guess. "The World's Biggest Baking Soda Volcano-inator" brings the challenge down a notche simply asking you to work on your timing skills. Can you aid Dr. Doofenshmirtz in kicking the vinegar and baking soda into the volcano at just the right moment? Probably. The third game "Phineas and Ferb's Microscopic Zoo That Fits on the Head of a Pin" gives you a highly zoomed piece of a picture which you must match to one of the five, unzoomed versions before you.
The voice acting is great (Caroline Rhea, Ashley Tisdale - with J.K. Simmons as a guest), the writing is easily above par (reminiscent of Strong Bad at times) and the animation has a top-class studio behind it. Personally, I have a secret love for the cartoon thanks to it being animated by Rough Draft Studios (they do Futurama). Couple that with a theme song by Bowling for Soup and - as previously mentioned - guest appearances by the likes of J.K. Simmons and you've got a remarkably smart kids cartoon that parents will appreciate as much as the kids.
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