IMDb RATING
5.7/10
12K
YOUR RATING
Tara, a painfully shy high-schooler, has a secret: she is also a confident DJ known as Radio Rebel, who lends her voice to others.Tara, a painfully shy high-schooler, has a secret: she is also a confident DJ known as Radio Rebel, who lends her voice to others.Tara, a painfully shy high-schooler, has a secret: she is also a confident DJ known as Radio Rebel, who lends her voice to others.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Awards
- 2 wins total
Brenda Crichlow
- Mrs. Brower
- (as Brenda M. Crichlow)
Chanelle Harquail-Ivsak
- Neckbrace Girl
- (as Chanelle Peloso)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Tara Adams (Debby Ryan) is a shy high school senior. She's secretly a podcast DJ called Radio Rebel. Her alter ego is quite popular except for mean girl Stacy.
Disney is pumping out a copy of 1990 teen classic 'Pump Up The Volume'. This time, Disney princess Debby Ryan is placed into Christian Slater's iconic role. It's not the worst idea to copy a good movie but it's just not a good way to create something worthwhile. It doesn't have Pump Up The Volume's edginess. Certainly it doesn't have the sex talk or the swearing or the nudity or the R-rating. It's a Disney TV movie. Debby Ryan is not going to make a jump in quality from being in this movie. If you're a Debby fan, this is certainly good clean fun. If you're not, you'll probably be bored.
Disney is pumping out a copy of 1990 teen classic 'Pump Up The Volume'. This time, Disney princess Debby Ryan is placed into Christian Slater's iconic role. It's not the worst idea to copy a good movie but it's just not a good way to create something worthwhile. It doesn't have Pump Up The Volume's edginess. Certainly it doesn't have the sex talk or the swearing or the nudity or the R-rating. It's a Disney TV movie. Debby Ryan is not going to make a jump in quality from being in this movie. If you're a Debby fan, this is certainly good clean fun. If you're not, you'll probably be bored.
What I thought at first was going to be just another Hollywood pubescent fluff piece, about a fifth of the way in turned into a heart warming fast favorite of mine! In HS, I was popular, but brutality shy, it HURT to socialize, but in college I got over it and became one of the most successful music content creators/ channel owners AND Music Promoters/ PR Rep/ Band Manager in the world. So a movie about a girl who dressed like me(seriously I have that beanie in5 colors, and several of the same shirts!) and who's painfully shy living out her dream life through her radio channel TOTALLY hit home! Everything she said was so inspiring, I think a lot of these kids nowadays could benefit form REALLY watching it for the message! It's extra cool that it's a hidden gem because a lot of the actors have gone on to star in a LOT of big shows and movies nowadays!!! Much love to this film!!!
Decent watch, probably won't watch again, and can't recommend.
I'm honestly not a big fan of Debby Ryan, though she definitely can own a role, and I'll even admit she basically carries this movie. Because I'm not a particular fan of her flavor, it may have affected my view of the movie though.
I'm very into her character of a high school ghost, shadowing as an airwaves vigilante though. The weirdness of being a "rebel" though is the company sponsorship angle. It allows for mechanical parts of the story, but feels a little antithetical.
The more interesting angle is the witch hunt for Radio Rebel: it takes some interesting turns, but ultimately lands in the predictable results.
It's a good enough watch, it's just nothing special.
I'm honestly not a big fan of Debby Ryan, though she definitely can own a role, and I'll even admit she basically carries this movie. Because I'm not a particular fan of her flavor, it may have affected my view of the movie though.
I'm very into her character of a high school ghost, shadowing as an airwaves vigilante though. The weirdness of being a "rebel" though is the company sponsorship angle. It allows for mechanical parts of the story, but feels a little antithetical.
The more interesting angle is the witch hunt for Radio Rebel: it takes some interesting turns, but ultimately lands in the predictable results.
It's a good enough watch, it's just nothing special.
This is aimed at teenagers and even more so female ones (girls). Now keep that in the back of your mind, because if that does not apply to you, you might be judging this by different standards. Because this is full of cliches and some are not even dressed that well.
Add to that an ending that may make some/certain people cringe ... you might have a viewing experience that does not live up to the standards you expected. So Highschool drama and love and such things are being explored ... and you know finding oneself plus growing up and sticking it to the (wo)man ... one very weird moment for a few people at least, is a "I am Spartacus" inspired thing ... it does feel very wrong, no matter the good intentions behind it. But it might still be working with the target audience - especially because they might not have seen that particular scene/movie
Add to that an ending that may make some/certain people cringe ... you might have a viewing experience that does not live up to the standards you expected. So Highschool drama and love and such things are being explored ... and you know finding oneself plus growing up and sticking it to the (wo)man ... one very weird moment for a few people at least, is a "I am Spartacus" inspired thing ... it does feel very wrong, no matter the good intentions behind it. But it might still be working with the target audience - especially because they might not have seen that particular scene/movie
Radio Rebel is a good time. Debby Ryan really makes the movie. The way she portrays someone who is shy and afraid to step out is pretty accurate. I love that a Disney movie decided to portray a more realistic character like this. It's not common to see this type of character as a main character who gets to grow. The character development was surprisingly great.
The guy she ends up liking is just not that great. He asked the other girl to prom but then falls for the other girl. I mean I just don't think that's okay. There was a plot twist at the end that shocked me. I had to pause the movie just to think it through.
Overall, I really liked it and think the character is an amazing role model.
Did you know
- TriviaBased on the novel "Shrinking Violet" by Danielle Joseph.
- GoofsTara, who is portrayed by Debby Ryan, is characteristically a redhead. However, her hair changes from brown to red throughout the movie.
- Quotes
Gavin Morgan: [describing Tara] She's the kind of girl who's not afraid to ask a dancing sandwich for help.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Magical Rewind: Radio Rebel (2024)
- SoundtracksCan't Stop The Rock
Performed by The Barrymores
Written by Dan Parr
Courtesy of Bacteria Buffet Records
Details
- Runtime
- 1h 25m(85 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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