My kids love “Phineas And Ferb” and I rather enjoy it as well. I think it is one of the most clever cartoons in years full of positive energy and humor. When it was announced the boys would be teaming up with some of Marvel’s finest, my kids were extremely excited.
True story: We had the “Mission Marvel” episode recorded to watch at a later time. That turned out to be the next day when the 3 year old was down for nap. There they were, my 6, 8 and 10 year olds, on the couch eagerly anticipating the animated offering. They beckoned me downstairs after a minute, having rewound the playback to the beginning to I could see the alternate take on the show’s normal opening sequence. I stood behind the couch and chuckled. Then the show proper started and there the gang is, in outer space surfing an asteroid belt. I wound up staying there the whole time not doing what I was originally going to, instead I was sucked in with my kids watching this special extra-long episode.
“Phineas And Ferb: Mission Marvel” is a double-length episode and finds four Marvel heroes (Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and Spider-Man) visiting Danville on the trail of Whiplash, Red Skull, M.O.D.O.K. and Venom. The twist, unfortunately is that Dr. Doofenshmirtz created a device that worked taking away the super heroes powers. There’s more to the setup than this, but I’ve already said too much. I’m not one to give away too much plot, and while this is the bulk of it, there’s a lot more to it.
In true “Phineas And Ferb” fashion we get some crazy inventions and a blissfully unaware villain. Some of the best lines are delivered by Doofenshmirtz. Really, this is a great episode that may not be the best one to start new viewers on, but fans will really enjoy the use of Ducky Momo.
The DVD comes with a total of what amounts to 6 total episodes. Normally episodes feature two segments (and commercials) in 30 minutes. Here we get the double-length “Mission Marvel” and the following segments:
Fly On The Wall
Sidetracked (2 segments)
Primal Perry (2 segments)
Backyard Hodge Podge
Knot My Problem
Mind Share
While I don’t particularly like the randomness of releasing episodes on DVD without the studio releasing the series in season sets or at least chronological volumes, at least there is some value being given to the consumer with regards to content on the disc.
Another bonus included is in the package, an insert with a 3 page comic and interview with behind the scenes talent for this episode. Then there is a collectable poster, one of apparently three that are available. The one we got was of the main protagonists from a scene in the episode and the kids are fighting over who gets it.
As for the other episodes, well, it’s “Phineas And Ferb” – the boys go on some crazy adventures over the summer vacation and their sister keeps trying to “bust” them. Perry, their pet platypus, is really a secret agent and is tasked with stopping the mildly evil Dr. Heinz Doofenschmirtz. It’s all a bit absurd but wildly fun.
Phineas And Ferb: Mission Marvel is a DVD that fans of the show will definitely want to pick up.