World’s Best Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

Is World’s Best safe for kids? Is World’s Best OK for children? Read the World’s Best Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new 2023 Disney+ original musical comedy film, starring Manny Magnus as Prem Patel. No spoilers! #WorldsBest May contain commissioned links.

World’s Best Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide

Rap + Math + Indian culture = World’s Best?

Worth the hype? Or wrong name for a movie?

Disney+ has been pumping out the original films to their streaming service including notables like Chang Can Dunk and Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers and not so notable like Crater and Flora & Ulysses. But will World’s Best hold the title that honors it’s namesake?

Or is this musical film screeching to a halt?

In the World’s Best Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new World’s Best 2023 parents guide to the new Disney+ original live action musical film, streaming exclusively on Disney+. A no-spoiler parent review of World’s Best movie, does this 34-year fan serviced series live up to the hype?

The Visuals

Think Disney+ original film meets Disney Channel sitcom. World’s Best doesn’t exactly offer big budget visuals for this straight-to-streaming movie. And it’s low budget is showing. Even with a musical vibe, there’s no camera tricks, bright colors or even South Asian flavor to brag about. That doesn’t mean visually it’s a poor film. But World’s Best doesn’t exactly live up to the title name…visually speaking.

Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, the World’s Best 2023 movie does not offer bright flashing lights or strobing effects that would be possible triggers. There are a few scenes (see photo above) where there are bright stage lights – but they are constantly on and moving during certain sequences. This is overall a photosensitive friendly film.

The Story

Directed by Roshan Sethi (“The Resident“), World’s Best 2023 is an all-new original Disney+ musical film starring Manny Magnus as Prem Patel, a 12-year old mathematics genius in the midst of navigating the tumultuous hardships of adolescence who discovers his recently deceased father was a famous rapper and immediately sets out to pursue a career for himself as a rap superstar. World’s Best also stars Utkarsh Ambudka (“Free Guy“), Punam Patel (“Kevin from Work“), Jake Choi (“Single Parents“), Max Malas (“8-Bit Christmas“), and Christopher Jackson (“In the Heights“).

In this coming-of-age musical comedy, Disney blends Indian culture within a middle/high school themed film. Along with math jokes (those pajamas!), catchy rhymes, rap and pop culture references, and even a cameo, this cross between a Disney Channel film Spin released in 2021 and Chang Can Dunk feels very familiar within the recent “woke Disney” phase of movie releases.

Prem is relatable, charming – bringing another great South Asian kid to the forefront of entertainment. And I love the interactions he has with his family. But while I appreciate the diversity and inclusion driving force behind this Disney+ original, this middle grade to tween focused musical style film has heart, but overall lacks originality and a strong plot. But is World’s Best 2023 movie safe for kids?

World’s Best PG Rating Explained

Is World’s Best safe for kids? Another Disney+ movie that’s rated PG? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option.

PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.

Why is World’s Best rated PG? In this World’s Best Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this all-new, original Disney+ 2023 live action musical film is rated PG for “some language and thematic elements.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like World’s Best Movie is kid friendly. Is World’s Best Movie too adult for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG age rating in this World’s Best Movie parents guide.

Violence/Suspense. Violence and suspense are very mild at best. There is one verbal reference to a “psycho axe murderer,” and one visual of a teen throwing a punch and missing. School fights are mentioned and mild bullying also takes place.

Adult Themes. Grief, death, loss and medical diagnosis trauma are common themes throughout World’s Best. Family dynamics throughout the film may be triggering. Teen themes are evident throughout this film. There are a few references to social media and TikTok (without saying the brand name). School bullying is present. Multiple slang teen phrases to include drug references (such as “smack,” “dope” and “trippy”) and one verbal reference to vaping. There are also a couple of club/bar scenes where alcohol is poured and consumed.

Sexual innuendo includes one reference to “you need to make a baby,” and “made out,” talks of teen romance, along with one platonic hug visual and multiple visuals of dance moves by teens and pre-teens. Toilet humor includes one verbal reference to a “butt” and one verbal reference to “pee.”

Language. How bad is the language in this Disney+ original film? Thankfully, World’s Best does not has as much foul language as Chang Can Dunk. Swear words are almost non-existent with one verbal phrase of “math-hole,” and one stop mid-musical song where you can fill in the blank with a lyric that rhymes with “class.”

There is 1 use of the word “freaking,” and 5 uses of the word “sucks.” Milder insults and bad language words and phrases include “smack,” “dope” “trippy,” “shoot,” “dang,” “shut up,” “butt,” “farting,” “psycho,” “losers,” “dork,” “weirdo,” “creepy,” “fool,” “geez,” “Oh my g-d,” and “Lord.”

World’s Best Movie Age Rating for Kids?

The Overall

Rap + math + Indian coming of age film = Ouch. This equation doesn’t compute.

World’s Best? More like world’s average. A B-rated High School Musical soundtrack at best, this 2021 Spin knock off movie is just an OK movie cousin made for the middle grader. But with half committed themes and unrealistic plot points, I’m stuck on a movie title vibe doesn’t quite match the content.

I’m all about being your own hype man. But even while dropping beats and catchy lyrics, World’s Best is a little too hyped up to live up to it’s name. I found myself toe-tapping but craving an Eminem level of passion. I wish they could have played up the math and rap aspect more. I wish they could have deep dived into Indian culture more. I wanted more character connection and more valuable life lesson takeaways.

Maybe it’s the movie name that makes me cringe. World’s Best offers an OK soundtrack, mediocre Ms. Marvel family dynamics, and not quite Kenny Ortega level of dance moves. This B-minus rated High School Musical knock off offers heart, family, and a path to self-identity – but I feel like World’s Best is just another half committed, low budget kids film that we’ve all seen before. This film is good for a bored kid on a rainy day – but isn’t ground breaking in the music or film industry.

Follow World’s Best Movie on social media:

• Website: https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/movie/worlds-best
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyPlus/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyplus
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneyplus/
• #WorldsBest #DisneyPlus

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World’s Best, the all-new Disney original movie is streaming exclusively on Disney+ starting Friday, June 23, 2023. Will your family be watching?

I was invited to screen the new Disney+ original film World’s Best 2023 in exchange for this World’s Best Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Disney. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!