Spin

I decided to watch this movie after seeing the promotional image and thinking, skeptically, "A Disney movie with an Indian main character? I wonder what this is all about?!" It turned out to be a sweet, wholesome, and entertaining movie with a charming main character (played wonderfully by Avantika) that shockingly did not lean on Indian stereotypes!

I was pleasantly surprised to see positive depictions of a Hindu family practicing their religious customs (they even had characters praying and reciting the Gayantri mantra!! On Disney!!) and the high school fully embracing the celebration of Holi - the festival celebrating spring and life - with the kids happily pelting each other with colored dyes!

Also it was so refreshing to see a movie about highs chool students where there was no sex, cursing, and bullying and where the core friends- Rhea, Molly, and Watson - were good students who weren't stigmatized for their interest in coding.

I loved Rhea's interactions with her family, particularly her close relationship with her grandmother and father, and her good-natured bickering with her little brother. There was a clear sense of love and respect. Family is extremely important to Indians and I like seeing this shown in a respectful way.

This being an Indian movie, I was delighted to see a familiar wardrobe - brightly colored sarees and kurtas. I could almost smell the spicy aromas of the various dishes being prepared and served. I also smiled at the obligatory dance scenes and Bollywood music (I would love to dine at an Indian restaurant where once a week the grandmother breaks out into a full Bollywood karaoke performance and dance!!) I wonder what non-Indians thought of this.

Though a bit predictable, I enjoyed the friendship and eventual rivalry between Rhea and transfer student, Max. Without spoiling anything I like the way it resolved.

The one problem I had was that for a movie about an aspiring DJ, the music Rhea and Max were spinning--- with the exception of the two songs at the end---was puzzlingly inaudible, either because it was playing so softly or only being played to the main characters through their headphones. How is the audience supposed to relate to a couple of teens bopping their heads and dancing to supposedly awesome music that we can't even hear?! That being said, "Feeling Good" was pretty good but it was nothing compared to the showstopper--"It's All Music". I'm definitely going to check out the soundtrack.

I'm so happy to see content like this on a major American network that is visible to so many impressionable kids, teens, and families. It was a wholesome movie you could watch with the entire family without diluting the very things that make the movie unique: the Indian culture. I don't know how the ratings were, but I would be into a sequel.

Disney chose an indian protagonist but unlike other english movies, you will find it really amazing as the indian culture was not stereotyped. Rhea is such a graceful girl who loves coding, helps her father in his restaurant and finally ends up being a DJ. The journey from being a hardworking daughter to a hardworking + funloving teen is beautifully written. I had a smile all through the movie. The music was great too, and being an indian loved those Hindi words which were put beautifully here and there. Well i can say Disney kinda portrayed things really well. <3.

This was really good fun, great music and lovely story. We enjoyed it thoroughly with the family. The main character is a wonderful actress and sure has a bright future ahead. And yes, Finally a real movie about an Indian American character and family without then/her portrayed with stereotypes. For reference, Indian families in Metropolitan India are way more free and modern than outside of India so for a change it felt real and natural in todays time and context.

This Disney Channel movie definitely deserves respect for the inclusion of cultural references, diversity, and friendship. It also should be praised for turning stereotypes around and making things original.

For example, the popular girl character is actually best friends with the main protagonist, Rhea, and her best friends. I think, in any other movie, she would've most likely been the mean, selfish bully antagonist. This was a nice twist to that formula.

Additionally, I enjoyed how the movie touched on responsibility and how important it is to balance responsibilities and manage them adequately. That relates well to the stresses that young kids and teens have to go through, especially in these uncertain times.

The acting here was another strong point. I particularly enjoyed the performances by Avantika as Rhea and Anna Cathcart as Molly. The performances of the actors and actress who played Rhea's family members also were very enjoyable.

On a final note here, "Spin" deserves major bonus points for including small parts for young people with disabilities. As someone who has lived with a physical handicap my entire life, I realize that issues regarding handicaps, disabilities and other challenges aren't always touched upon in media. Yes, the scenes with the differently-abled kids were brief here, but I'll bet being included in this movie meant the world to those kids. "Spin" definitely deserves recognition for all these good qualities.

This is a really well made Disney film. The pacing is really nice and editing is also tight. I did not feel like skipping any scene.

I'd give this film a 7 but just for the leads brilliantly natural performance I give it an extra star. Avantika is such a fine actor and has played her role with so much ease. Her acting comes across as completely natural and you will surely be in awe of her performance.

The supporting cast have also done a fine job and each one of them has been rightly cast. The climax which I was praying to be high octane did not disappoint one bit. It's extremely lively and concludes the movie wonderfully. It'll completely satisfy you.

Overall a very very enjoyable and entertaining movie. A simple story executed brilliantly. I give it an 8/10.