Spin (2021 TV Movie) User Reviews

Another cut-and-paste Disney Channel movie

[rportoni · 5/10 · 14 August 2021]

Stop if this sounds overly cliche or familiar:

A teen has a natural talent. They currently help their parent at work. While developing skill, finds romantic interest within the skillfield. When the teen has a big opportunity to showcase their skill, the parent needs them to work. Teen chooses the opportunity, most likely pairing off against the romantic interest. Parent finds out, but ultimately shows full support after winning contest.

Bonus points for inclusion and originality!

[tdh_fbi · 7/10 · 12 November 2021]

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.

Loved it! Great fun for the entire family!

[jkt2006 · 7/10 · 25 September 2021]

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.

Waste of time

[cheriansonia · 17 August 2021]

Predictable, stereotypical drivel and not at all representative of Indian Americans. Cheap costumes, melodramatic acting, bad writing.

More like never have I ever

[nneekshithareddynnr · 7/10 · 16 September 2021]

I would give more nice review if they bought it out before nhie but the effort was good it was a nice one.

Sticks to the tropes

[indraniaray · 4/10 · 1 September 2021]

The film is fairly vanilla and sticks to tired unrealistic tropes and broad strokes but yes it is good to see a brown girl as a Disney lead for sure and I hope this paves the way for better and more nuanced stories.

Surprisingly sweet, clean Indian-American movie

[dreamlife613 · 9/10 · 11 September 2021]

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.

Straight cringe

[dhruvdevc · 3/10 · 20 August 2021]

The movie is laughably cringe to say the least. Predictable, stereotypical and poor. Nothing more to say.

A fun entertaining family movie with a great message.

[ChanithaWeerasinghe · 8/10 · 6 October 2021]

The new Disney channel original movie "Spin" follows the story of a 15 year old music loving beautiful Indian girl, Rhea, who is good at coding and choosing the best music track for every occasion, finds a crush on cute British transfer student, Max, who appears to be a deejay and Rhea explores what she is really good at along with her crush.

This movie portraits an awesome Indian restaurant called "Spirit Of India" owned by Rhea's father, which has a Sunday Dinner Rush with Rhea's Nani's (Grandma) special Hindi dance performance. This restaurant always plays the playlists created by Rhea who also helps her father in serving on night rushes. When she meets Max, she learns how to spin (how to deejay) and realizes she is way better than Max in choosing the best songs to mix which is basically the main thing in deejaying.

The film gives messages that parents must let children to follow their passions and gain happiness in their lives instead of working down to their bones, and that everything that happens around us have hidden music. This film even teaches the basics of deejaying too.

Actually, the ending could've been better. Max's mom wasn't shown at all in the DJ competition where he competed and he just walked away when Rhea won, who also didn't thank Max for teaching her to DJ. That wasn't so good to me. Also the story was a bit predictable yet it was entertaining. Anyway, even this is a TV movie it didn't have that dumb, lazy kind of direction. I loved the directing, the film and the Hindi remixes too.

Spin is a beautiful, heart-warming, sweet movie which would be great if it gets a sequel.

A Music Film In Its Mix, As In Mediocrity

[TheMysteriousReviewer · 5/10 · 12 November 2021]

Although it is a little more tolerable compared to other most recent Disney Channel movies, Spin is not a good film either. The plot can recycle from other films the program has done like Brink and Let It Shine. The characters are just the usual Disney Channel tropes. And the editing feels its trying too much to be a party for its audiences. But there are other aspects that can keep this from being something horrible such as some enjoyable mic music, especially when we get to the finale. And I will give the effects look colorful. This can be a good option for beginners of being a DJ and want to learn how mixing the music works. But if you would watch this as a movie, then I think Let It Shine would be a better option if you want to watch a music Disney Channel movie. At least that film is sadly the last time we gotten something good out of Disney Channel when it comes to live action. As a music fan myself, the best way to say about this can be fun with the music, but weak as a movie.

I know it's a movie but...

[bigorangenation41 · 1/10 · 15 November 2021]

Acting like learning how to DJ is as simple as someone telling you how to do it and then just *bam*...you can match beats and can start mixing. Learning to DJ takes years and years and learning your records takes longer than that. Also, producing music, say for instance on a program like a Ableton...literally takes YEARS. You can't 'Rain Man' your way into producing dance music. This movie is stupid and I guess according to Disney, I could learn to fly a plane in a couple days. Or learn to be a 3 star Michelin chef after a weekend cooking class. Ask Paul Oakenfold or Carl Cox or Pete Tong if it's that easy.

it will make you smile for sure!

[amananand-09293 · 8/10 · 17 August 2021]

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.

Felt sad for Max

[serangoonies · 2/10 · 3 September 2021]

Max taught her everything she knew! So, he forgot to give her credit but he said he would post it. She was unforgiving, cut him off, won the competition and didn't credit him for all he taught her. He was second runner-up which means she learnt from the best. If he was bad for not crediting her, she was no better than he was. I had to tell my daughters not to model themselves after Rhea.

Entertaining. The protagonist is brilliant.

[eldreddsouza · 8/10 · 20 August 2021]

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.

She was just as bad .

[lynxard · 2/10 · 22 May 2022]

I was with the movie untill she wins and doesn't thank Max for teaching her. She doesn't thank her friends for encouraging her and helping make the track. Neither does she acknowledge her mom's music as her inspiration. Why was Max the only one that had to shout out credit but not her?

I was expecting there to be some mutual ground found when the competition ended but all the fun Rhea and Max had up untill the 1hr mark is thrown away. The two had great chemistry as friends or a couple. All this movie teaches people is that if someone makes a mistake to never talk to them again and act like a child and run away or hold a grudge. How very un Disney

Why did the movie spend 2/3rds of it's run time showing Rhea and Max if there is no pay off to the good times they had? It was such whiplash that they never made good. If he was meant to be the bad guy, spend less movie time showing the good in them. Do you know how sweet it is when a friend wants to share their hobby / passion with you. I admit it can be hard for a person to see the student out grow the master. But to have Max come around to appreciating how much talent Rhea had at the end and made good would have been the best role model for boys/girls who face similar experiences. Instead this movie vilannises people who realise they aren't the best with no way to resolve their insecurity.

If it weren't for the way it ended it would have been an easy 7 but alas the message is lost in the movies attempt to do a twist villan based on childish behaviour.

Predictable GARBAGE

[maxbrown-09560 · 1/10 · 13 February 2022]

Nothing in this movie is good. The music is not only awful but extremely repetitive and complicated. The plot is so predictable and boring that I took a half hour break half way through the movie to go throw up in a trash can. The costumes are absolutely trash. The effects aren't that good. The "villain" actually had better music in the finals than rhea. I've also seen other reviews saying that this in no way captures Indian culture which I myself can't say but others have. I'm smartish (the distance from the earth to the sun is around 93 million miles or 8 lightminutes and 20 litghtseconds) and still can't see why this dam movie did well?

Mood Lifting

[photonuutt · 9/10 · 17 August 2021]

I find that the Movie was a great watch, it is a bit predictable but I didn't mind that because the plot and the music in the movie was awesome, I love it. I also love that they chose an Indian theme for the backbone of the story, I would love to learn more about the Indian culture, keep up the great work Disney. I hope that they will release it on DVD and also a sound track of the music.

Absolutely must watching.

[kartikkalia-21463 · 10/10 · 17 August 2021]

I love everything in Spin. Great work by all. Absolutely must watch Spin by Disney.

Lovely film

[jyothsnagupt · 10/10 · 4 October 2021]

Every scene of the movie is perfect loved it. Completely new like a fresh breath of air, must watch for those who love to watch feel good films.

Inspiring drama

[dryogitaanant · 8/10 · 30 September 2021]

Teenage girl taking lot of responsibility realizes her talent. Adding One line giving credit to Max in end would have been better.

Best 2022 beginning.

[adityasoni-56563 · 10/10 · 21 January 2022]

However this movie came out in 2021. Unfortunately I couldn't manage to see on it's premiere. And here i am after watching it in 2022 and what a fantastic start. After so much depression all around the world and u see a such a movie blowing up is really appreciable.

It's amazing and heartwarming. But they could have done better.

[ravipramod-70426 · 8/10 · 14 January 2024]

Max decided to use the same song in the battle of the beat masters without giving any second thoughts on whether Rhea would create a song better than his. So no wonder Rhea won. But the other scenes were excellent! Being a Disney film, many people are likely to post critical reviews based on the film. But I respect the movie for it teaches us valuable lessons. And I really loved that they brought Indian songs and lifestyle to this film. I don't have anything to say so I'm just going to write a bunch of words to fulfill the word limit. Iendbcnfdkdkdmfnfjfjrkt fhsvsgsgsvdbfifjfngifjdmdjfkfmfnfifl.

A good movie to watch

[buenor7 · 10/10 · 15 February 2024]

Film: It really is a very interesting film because one of the bases of the story is the culture of India, and I really think there is a lack of more films that talk about different cultures (from other countries too), I'm from Brazil, and I end up realizing that the Most films, even when they talk about other countries or even have footage from other countries, I can't understand why they don't really promote the culture or show a little of the place just saying that it's there.

Script: I thought it was really cool, it's a light script that's better divided, and it's also an original Disney creation without forced plots or jokes, and that way it's well put together and isn't tiring either.

Filming: Good camera angles, and the filming is well done.

Story: I thought it was very important, because it shows how bad people can be just because they want success over other people's work, so here we have a very real story, which really happens in various parts of society, it also shows the unity of friends and family. Family.

Actors: The actors are really very good, they fit well into their characters, with a natural performance Avantika does well from beginning to end, we can't help but say that Aryan Simhadri's presence is fantastic, he is a very good actor and I like the way he acts, he did well in Percy Jackson and also in Cheaper be the dozen, and we cannot mention the great Anna Cathcart from odd squad (here in Brazil called Bizarre Squad), a film that has a good cast in truth.

A film to watch with family and friends, it's very fun and beautiful.

Wonderful wholesome, refreshing DCOM!

[arrivingthoughts · 10/10 · 2 May 2022]

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. Yes, the general plot has been done many times before, but the strong acting, great cast, elements of Indian culture, and heartwarming story make Spin feel fresh. Avantika (Rhea) is so natural in her role and carries the film with ease. The cinematography is excellent and the acting and writing are much sharper than a typical DCOM.

It was wonderful to see an Indian American family portrayed well and without tired stereotypes. I hope Disney continues to cast more diverse actors in lead roles, and continues to let diverse screenwriters write the scripts, too.