When 'Phineas and Ferb' first started to air, Disney Channel was nowhere near as good as it used to be and still isn't. Instead of the likes of the animated Disney shows of the 80s and 90s, most of it was and still is animated shows with childish humour and Disney Channel sitcoms and unfortunately it tended to not be the good ones. This continued throughout the whole of 'Phineas and Ferb's' run to the extent that this became one of the few shows airing on the Channel worth watching.
The premises in both "The Lizard Whisperer" and "Robot Rodeo" sounded great and very promising conceptually. The formula is the same but the ideas for both were not samey. When it comes to the execution, both are great and equally so (though "Robot Rodeo" gets the slight edge when it comes to consistency). Even if neither are 'Phineas and Ferb' at its best. There is very little to dislike about either of them, have always loved almost everything about them.
Occasionally the pace is a little manic in "The Lizard Whisperer", particularly later on. Doofenschmirtz's subplot is a lot better in "Robot Rodeo", that is classic Doofenschmirtz whereas the one in "The Lizard Whisperer" while different is slightly subdued.
However, the animation is full of vibrant rich colour and the background detail is fluid and never rushed-looking. Where it is most striking is the comic character animation in the latter stages of "The Lizard Whisperer" and the character animation on Doofenschmirtz in "Robot Rodeo". The music never felt at odds with the action and has a nice hip character, the theme song is so catchy and quotable still. Some theme songs/tunes in television can grate, others never get old. 'Phineas and Ferb' for me is in the latter category and the lyrics are funnier and easier to relate to than when first getting into the show when it first started to air.
Furthermore the writing is smart, funny and has heart. Particularly the main plot in "The Lizard Whisperer" and Doofenschmirtz's lines are always comedy gold without fail. The main plots in both episodes are well executed, everything with the chameleon excites and the rodeo action is well choreographed. The character writing and interaction are spot on as is the voice acting.
In conclusion, great. 8.5/10.
The premises in both "The Lizard Whisperer" and "Robot Rodeo" sounded great and very promising conceptually. The formula is the same but the ideas for both were not samey. When it comes to the execution, both are great and equally so (though "Robot Rodeo" gets the slight edge when it comes to consistency). Even if neither are 'Phineas and Ferb' at its best. There is very little to dislike about either of them, have always loved almost everything about them.
Occasionally the pace is a little manic in "The Lizard Whisperer", particularly later on. Doofenschmirtz's subplot is a lot better in "Robot Rodeo", that is classic Doofenschmirtz whereas the one in "The Lizard Whisperer" while different is slightly subdued.
However, the animation is full of vibrant rich colour and the background detail is fluid and never rushed-looking. Where it is most striking is the comic character animation in the latter stages of "The Lizard Whisperer" and the character animation on Doofenschmirtz in "Robot Rodeo". The music never felt at odds with the action and has a nice hip character, the theme song is so catchy and quotable still. Some theme songs/tunes in television can grate, others never get old. 'Phineas and Ferb' for me is in the latter category and the lyrics are funnier and easier to relate to than when first getting into the show when it first started to air.
Furthermore the writing is smart, funny and has heart. Particularly the main plot in "The Lizard Whisperer" and Doofenschmirtz's lines are always comedy gold without fail. The main plots in both episodes are well executed, everything with the chameleon excites and the rodeo action is well choreographed. The character writing and interaction are spot on as is the voice acting.
In conclusion, great. 8.5/10.
