Phineas and Ferb: A Very Perry Christmas

Review

Common Sense Media says

Frenetic animated brothers save Christmas from naughtiness.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
4
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this holiday special (plus several extra episodes) features the familiar over-the-top antics of the animated Phineas and Ferb. Since the brothers' goals are mostly positive in the main feature, the special should be largely unproblematic for kids. But older sister Candace's obsession with her boyfriend treads into territory younger kids are likely not ready for making this collection best for elementary aged kids and up.

  • Educational value1
    Surprisingly high-brow vocabulary crops up in this movie. Words like "ambiguous," "indifference," "ominous," "foreshadowing," and "sheepish" might inspire kids to ask their parents for definitions. As Dr. D. exclaims: "Curse my intensely burning apathy!"
  • Positive messages1
    When Christmas is threatened, Phineas and Ferb leap into action to ensure that everyone is full of holiday cheer. Phineas’ Christmas wish is for Santa to feel appreciated by the people he helps. The story reminds kids that everyone does naughty things from time to time, but that that's different from being naughty at heart. On the downside, Candace's worries about her compatability with her boyfriend sends slightly iffy messages about self-confidence. In the bonus episodes, Candace throws pretty outrageous tantrums.
  • Positive role models1
    Phineas looks to Santa as a role model of giving and problem solving. Candace is often an example of how not to behave. The brothers are mischevious, but good hearted, resourceful, and work together well. Parents are largely absent.
  • Violence & scariness2
    Some bullying behavior (threats to hit a boy and a wedgie given), animal attacks, explosions, plus perilous moments. Dr. D., the evil scientist, has a plan to make all of Danville naughty.
  • Sexy stuff2
    High-kicking dancers in short Santa dresses. Some flirting and and one character gets his first kiss under the mistletoe. One character is obsessed with her boyfriend.
  • Language1
    Some uses of "sucks" and "butt."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
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What's the story?

As usual, Phineas (voiced by Vincent Martella) and Ferb (Thomas Sangster) are up to their high-tech tricks -- turning their beds into flying toboggans before breakfast, for example. But Dr. Doofenschmirtz, the local evil scientist, is up to some tricks as well. He has decided to turn the entire town of Danville into a no-fly zone for Santa on Christmas. Four bonus episodes feature the mysterious pet platypus/secret agent Perry, whose problem solving skills are put to the test.

Is it any good?

 

Wacky enough to hold the attention of media savvy kids, smart enough to win over parents, PHINEAS AND FERB: A VERY PERRY CHRISTMAS has charm and musical appeal to spare. The feature is not a relax-by-the fire Christmas movie. Rather, it's the sugar jolt in the morning kind of flick that fans of the TV show will appreciate. Viewers might recall seeing the Christmas special on television, though it's worth a revisit.

The bonus episodes are a little more jumpy and frantic in pace than the feature, though Agent P is a great character to follow. He kicks through doors with his webbed foot, he sneaks silently about, solving earth-shattering situations. These episodes have nothing to do with Christmas. Consider them Agent P's little gift to you.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about what winter holidays mean to them. Is it about the gifts? Is it about spending time with family? What does Christmas mean to Phineas and Ferb?

  • There is one character in this special who does not celebrate Christmas, but she goes along with the shenanigans anyway. Can you name two other winter celebrations besides Christmas? What are their meanings?

  • Does seeing all of the presents that are given in this movie make you want to give more, or have more? What does giving really mean? Is Candace doing the right thing when she obsesses about her boyfriend's gift?

This review was written by Joly Herman
Teen, 14 years old
October 6, 2011
AGE
2
 
Movie Tradition for Christmas
I think this dvd shows the actual meaning of christmas to everyone and says that you can change your ways of being naughty. It also has the message implied to stand up for what you believe in because the older sister says that what they are doing is 'bustworthy' and they will get into trouble. Although the sister does have a boyfriend, it isn't bad and it is a big part of the story. At the end, everyone is happy and it shows the true meaning of xmas.
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Teen, 16 years old
July 1, 2011
AGE
5
 
Naughty? Yeah right
Yeah uh Redfox? I've seen this special and their not even holding the items you listed in that way at all. Your the perv for looking at that scene like that -___- This show is quite innocent.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (7) | Had useful details (8) | Read my mind (11)
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This review was written by Joly Herman
Topics:adventures, book characters, holidays
Studio:Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Director:Zac Moncrief
Cast:Ashley Tisdale, Thomas Sangster, Vincent Martella
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:80 minutes
DVD release date:October 5, 2010
MPAA rating:G
This review was written by Joly Herman
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
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BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
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