After “The Fairly OddParents” first TV Movie known as “Abra-Catastrophe” aired in 2003, a follow up was in the works with series creator Butch Hartman brainstorming a cohesive narrative for Timmy, Cosmo & Wanda to embark on yet another wacky adventure. This time, it involves a universal remote that lets the user travel to a selective channel. Unbeknownst to Timmy, his evil babysitter Vicky acquires a similar remote. Her goal is to become a power hungry tyrant to rule the planet. It’s up to Timmy and his godparents to prevent Vicky’s quest from becoming a reality. The premise I’m referring to is called, “The Fairly OddParents: Channel Chasers.”
The Fairly OddParents: Channel Chasers aired in 2004. (same year The Incredibles came out) Like Abra-Catastrophe, Channel Chasers earned positive reception from television critics and families alike. Channel Chasers is also my personal favorite film based on The Fairly OddParents. I used to watch this show as a kid, until Cosmo & Wanda’s baby Poof ruined it for me. To put salt in the wound, Chloe Carmichael & Sparky The Dog imploded the show’s legacy.
A “Rugrats” revival is in the works alongside a fourth film based on the show will be released in 2021. Netflix also streamed “Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling” & “Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus.” In response to Nickelodeon’s announcement that a film based on “Nicktoons” in development, I’d like to share what’s good or bad about Channel Chasers.
Today’s review doesn’t contain no crucial SPOILERS whatsoever. Feel free to read my non-spoiler article.
Believable & Unbelievable Qualities
Believable: The Main Cast such as Tara Strong, Darren Norris, Susan Blakeslee, Grey DeLisle reprise their roles and they all did a fantastic job for their respective performances.
Butch Hartman did a decent job writing and directing the movie.
Animation retains the show’s 2D hand drawn format to bring the characters, locations and environment to life. Whenever Timmy, Cosmo, Wanda & Vicky enter a show, the animation changes reflecting a specific channel’s world.
Humor retains its style of comedy. As a kid, I never understood most of the inside jokes.
Alec Baldwin voices a ninja who looks like Deadpool, except he doesn’t “Break The Fourth Wall.” I can’t tell you his true identity, you’re gonna have to see for yourself. Alec also voiced Dennis in “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.” I think the reason why he wanted to voice both projects, is because his daughter, Ireland used to watch both Spongebob SquarePants & The Fairly OddParents. This was before Alec acted like a butthole towards Ireland. You know that infamous voicemail calling her a “selfish little pig?” What a douche.
As a kid, I did not see the ninja’s identity coming. I gasped. This Plot Twist deserves an Extra Point. Way better than that stupid twist ending from “The Happening.”
Character Development involving Timmy. As the film progresses, he has to face the facts of growing up to take responsibility.
Channel Chasers is filled with many parodies of notable television shows. One show parodies both “Dragon Ball Z” & “Pokémon.”
Vicky serves as the main villain. Her goal is to become a power hungry tyrant using a universal remote.
Somebody said, “I have a bad feeling about this.” A recurring line from “Star Wars.” The video game, “Knight Of The Old Republic II” came out the same year as Channel Chasers.
In one scene, Timmy holds a massive gun. Looks like Joss Whedon must’ve watched Channel Chasers as an inspiration for Phil Coulson’s big gun from “The Avengers.”
Timmy’s parents & Tootie factor in, serving actual purpose. Despite their quirkiness, all three of them actually care for Timmy.
Doug Dimmadome, who’s dressed like a cowboy Colonel Sanders, also factors in as an important character.
When Timmy, Cosmo & Wanda enter channel 297, Butch Hartman’s name appears in a fake End Credits Sequence.
Both Timmy & Vicky use a universal remote to control reality. This predates Adam Sandler’s “Click.”
The Primary Theme for the film is about “growing up” and what the future might hold for Timmy. “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” also had a similar theme about the lead character who learns to become mature during a life changing adventure.
A villain from Abra-Catastrophe makes a cameo appearance.
Timmy’s dad gets to say his catchphrase, “Dinkleberg.”
Timmy’s love interest Tootie has a “unique” codename.
Chris Kirkpatrick has a voiceover cameo as Chip Skylark. If you grew up watching the show, you know that one song about a specific redhead.
The late Adam West also has a voiceover cameo as himself. He also voiced Catman on the show.
Without giving too much away, the ending centering around Timmy’s love interests Trixie & Tootie are interpreted by the viewer if Timmy finally wins the girl of his dreams or he begins a proper relationship with Tootie. I thought it was a proper series finale, until Nickelodeon screwed up the ambiguity by producing a live action trilogy starring Drake Bell. It’s as if the ending of “Inception” reveals the truth about a crucial plot detail without letting the viewer to interpret.
Channel Chasers serves as the grand finale of The Fairly OddParents if you pretend that episodes and TV movies involving Poof never happened.
The premise of the movie also predicts that Teen Titans episode titled, “Don’t Touch That Dial.” Tara Strong also voiced Raven, who used to be my childhood crush.
Unbelievable: I couldn’t find nothing wrong with this TV movie. I’m giving Butch Hartman and the crew for making a flawless movie as possible.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
In my opinion, The Fairly OddParents: Channel Chasers is my personal favorite film related to The Fairly OddParents. The positive things listed as “believable,” indicates why this TV film is considered as one of Nickelodeon’s best movies next to “Rango,” The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, “The Wild Thornberrys Movie” Abra-Catastrophe & “Rugrats In Paris: The Movie.” If you’re curious to watch Channel Chasers, I strongly recommend it.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 