World's Best

IN A NUTSHELL: This cute movie is about Raj Patel, who is an expert at math but who is also secretly obsessed with his late father's dream of becoming a rap musician.

The film was directed by Roshan Sethi. Writing credits go to Jamie King and Utkarsh Ambudkar.

THINGS I LIKED: Manny Magnus impressively leads the cast as the youngest actor in the coming-of-age film. All of that talent in one little body definitely deserves a break-out movie! You might have noticed him in the cute film Home Team on Netflix. The rest of the cast includes Utkarsh Ambudkar, Punam Patel, Jake Choi, and more.

The first time I heard Utkarsh Ambudkar sing was in the comedy Pitch Perfect. That musical franchise is my guilty pleasure in film. He was great in it, so I wonder why it took so long to feature him in a movie!

I got the biggest kick out of the mom in the movie.

The musical numbers are a lot of fun.

A quick scan of photographs in a house tells us immediately what the family situation is at the beginning of the movie. What's a Disney movie without a death in the family?

I love that nurses are represented super smart. I currently teach classes at Arizona College of Nursing! Nurses ARE smart!

Cute Pi pajamas. Ha ha This film is filled with wise lines. So are the raps!

I love that the story teaches kids that they can be many things at the same time; they don't have to just pick one thing.

Yep, it gave me all the feels.

Keep watching during the final rolling credits to see a few more fun things.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Nothing. I loved every minute!.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids who love rap are going to love this!

A kid drinks a ton of coffee.

A boy swears.

!

"World's Best" is a delightful Disney film that weaves together the inspiring stories of Raj Patel and Prem Patel, creating a heartwarming tale of pursuing dreams, embracing one's passion, and the power of family connections. With a talented cast led by Manny Mangus and Utkarsh Ambudkar, this movie is a symphony of emotions and a celebration of self-discovery.

The film beautifully portrays Raj Patel's journey as a mathematical genius who secretly yearns to follow in his late father's footsteps as a rap musician. The juxtaposition of his exceptional math skills with his hidden love for music adds depth and relatability to his character. As Raj tries to balance multiple goals in life, the audience is taken on an emotional rollercoaster, witnessing his struggles, sacrifices, and moments of triumph.

Manny Mangus delivers a stellar performance as Raj Patel, capturing the internal conflict and determination of a young man torn between his passion for mathematics and his longing to honor his father's legacy. His portrayal is nuanced and heartfelt, allowing us to connect with Raj on a deep level and root for his success.

The movie's visual aesthetics are captivating, with vibrant colors, dynamic rap battle sequences, and stunning cinematography that immerses us in Prem's world. The blend of fantasy and reality adds a touch of magic to the narrative, enhancing the emotional impact and creating a visually stunning experience.

"World's Best" beautifully explores themes of self-discovery and the importance of pursuing one's passion, even when it seems impossible. The film encourages viewers to embrace their uniqueness and reminds us that with dedication, perseverance, and the support of loved ones, we can overcome any obstacle.

I loved seeing the representation of South Asians in a Disney movie that played themselves and not a stereotype of any kind. The focus was the plot, not their ethnicity. I am proud that my children have films to watch like this whereas I didn't have people that looked like me on TV growing up. This moving gave Hamilton vibes and the cast was incredible. Utkarsh is so incredibly talented. Again, Hamilton vibes. He's so amazing at freestyle and hip hop.. I hope to see him in more like this. The young lead is also so talented and he goes places.

I like that movies/shows are coming out now that are actually original. It's a shame Hollywood took this long to showcase non-white actors. Imagine all the amazing things we have missed because of racism in the media. Finally there is change.

I can't lie, I found this incredibly cringey.

I tried looking past that given the obvious positive meaning and given it has a kid in the lead role, but every single time the rapping started (and there's a lot! Of it) I was almost curled up in my seat. There's nothing more cringe than people trying to rap when they just can't, it'd be like me if I just began to rap out the blue.

It also doesn't help that the rapping is Kidz Bop-esque, Patrice Wilson in Rebecca Black's Friday-esque. There are a few times when the lead is singing and it actually comes across much better, they should've had Prem doing that instead. Youngster Manny Magnus tries his best, as does Punam Patel, but their performances are just hidden behind the cringe, unfortunately.

So heartfelt. We weren't expecting it to be as good as it was but it had me and my husband teary eyed and cheering. Not sure what is going on with the rating bombing, I wouldn't pay attention to that. People are probably mad that there is representation of other experiences. This was a beautifully written and executed story of a boy gaining his confidence after the death of his father. It is light-hearted, fun, handles topics like bullying, loss, confidence, self worth, and more. I would recommend this movie to anyone. It's very good for what I thought would be a D-COM quality movie. Please watch and tell your friends. ;)