Radio Rebel (TV Movie 2012) Poster

(2012 TV Movie)

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7/10
I liked it
jimvandemoter-5023613 July 2019
To everyone who point out all the flaws, you're right, to all of those who totally love this movie you're also right. This is a Disney movie. That explains a lot. All that being said, It's a nice movie that's pure escapism. Don't take it too seriously, it's just a movie. I happen to like it. For me that's all I need to know.
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6/10
Plot hole
h-s-m-r-h17 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
It was an enjoyable dcom, I just dont know on what grounds radio rebel would be expelled on?? Why is nobody fighting that?? Huge plot hole
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7/10
I liked it
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.
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7/10
Disney's Little Rebel Of The "Same Story, Same Boring" Saga!
mygunyourhead61318 February 2013
I'm not going to deny, when I saw this film announced, first thought "sounds interesting", but then I read "Disney" at the bottom and I started regretting my first feelings and wondering if I suffered from mental insanity. But no, I'm still here, not locked in a safe room or anything.

Let's start with basics. Lesson one, children, grasping the standard Disney plot - unpopular girl with big dreams, a nemesis/Queen Bee who ALSO loves that same big dream and tries to make unpopular girl's life miserable in order to get it, a "hot" guy is thrown in between the process, the guy notices Unpopular Girl but then is dragged away by Queen Bee, a failed-attempt at character development and BAM! ...there's a dance, Queen Bee becomes Queen Fail and Unpopular Girl gets the guy.

While "Radio Rebel" DOES somewhat follow the basic scheme, it at least reaches a level of awesomeness. Don't get me wrong, I see the resemblance (or was it "copying of"?) "Pump Up the Volume", but what made it worthy of seeing was the fact that it adapted to what today's teens understood, lived, and would enjoy seeing. Debby Ryan (portraying main character, Tara) is a rising star that a lot of teens know and look up to - so her portraying a shy high schooler with issues of her own (the cute guy she's too afraid to talk to, the Queen Bee trying to bring her down, not being that close with her new stepfather, and have I mentioned the extreme shyness that could be mistaken for monastic silence?). It's what us average teens know and breathe. So while there's nothing sparkly in the scheme, it speaks to today's teens and that's what we like. Not to mention, there were a few giggles here and there. More to the "like" list.

So what am I saying? I'm saying that this film is different from the usual "same story, same boring" pattern that Disney movies tend to follow...while it was strongly based from "Pump Up the Volume", it still had strong elements that make me want to watch it again, particularly the lessons that shy high schooler Tara teaches us - to just be ourselves...to embrace it and not just hide it away in the dark (or in Tara's case, a recording studio), to go out into the sunlight, scream, and let our uniqueness shine in the daylight.
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3/10
Poor Remake
dnshack19 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Radio Rebel was a poor remake of Christian Slater's Pump Up the Volume, though definitely more in line with Disney movies. PUTV was much darker and edgier. There were unintended consequences for Christian Slater's character that left you wondering whether or not he had done the right thing. In real life, there are two sides to rebellions. The rebel is not always in the right and often hurts innocent people. But Radio Rebel is classic Disney - good for the kids with the "happy ever after ending". I know my daughter likes Debby Ryan and loves those happy endings, but when she is older I will introduce her to movies that better reflect the real world with those less happy but not entirely bad endings.
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Just a Disney teen movie, rated PG with a nice message.
TxMike4 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I wouldn't normally take the time to see a movie like this but I am a couple of weeks into my recuperation for foot surgery and came across this one on Netflix streaming movies.

It stars Disney actress Debby Ryan, who really was a teenager during filming as Tara, and we also get to know her as Radio Rebel. Tara is very shy, sits at the back of class, rarely participates without being forced to. But she starts a web-based radio show, where she talks about topics of interest to fellow teens, and plays appropriate music.

This movie is about her influence on the students and their quest to figure out who Radio Rebel is. The annual school prom gets involved, as the principal says she will cancel prom if Radio Rebel doesn't reveal her identity. The young cast has the usual, popular but snotty girl, polite and talented buy shy boy. And an assortment of every kind of typical high schooler.

This is a clean movie that would be of most interest to the younger crowd, perhaps even mostly the preteen crowd.
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6/10
Disney version of 'Pump Up The Volume'
SnoopyStyle26 August 2013
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.
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2/10
Just an awful rip-off!
peaceloverpwebsite18 February 2012
Disney's recent movies/shows haven't done the channel justice at all. Their shows have just been cheap rip-offs of other networks shows and this movie is a good example of that. If you want to watch a good show with almost the exact same plot watch The N's (now Teennick) "Radio Free Roscoe" or take a trip back to the 90s by watching the original movie to try this idea, "Pump Up The Volume".

Even though I knew I'd most likely hate this movie, I still gave it a chance and watched it with an open mind. It had good messages for young kids and it wasn't completely terrible but I still didn't like it. Cheesy endings, Disney fluff, and the fact that it copies off one of my favorite movies, makes this movie awful. Sorry Disney fans but this gets a 2/10.
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10/10
Defiantly Worth it
littlejadeschaeffer15 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I love everything about this move. Debby Ryans acting is great I also love how it was in seattle washington. My favorite part is the end where they do the clitche thing saying I am radio rebel. Aswell as that a obvious between the hot boy and the girl. I also love that there is a mean girl that has a very senstive side.
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7/10
Good enough
SanteeFats20 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Hey this is a Disney movie so what else could one expect except cuteness, teenage angst, and an all is well that ends well finish? That is the ending everyone expects and gets. Debby Ryan actually does a nice acting job in this movie. She has to go from a shy, self effacing girl in public to an over the top, outspoken radio personality when she is on the air. The fact that she is so disrespected in public and so well liked when she is on the air actually shows the duplicity of the human nature, make fun of those you don't understand and admiring the people that do what you approve of. I am guessing that the writers did not write as deep I commented on buy hopefully I am wrong, after all it is a Disney movie.
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1/10
Nothing.
littleashlykim11 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This movie stunk. You can know the ending just by watching the beginning. It's that cheesy. Apparently I have to write ten lines. Well let's just say that the main character is basically like Demi Lovato in Camp Rock or whatever. And the other guy who she likes is just like any other Disney guy. This is basically like Geekfabulous or w/e. The girl hides her identity, has a guy she likes, guy likes her fake identity, guy has girlfriend who is "popular" and makes him do stuff, identity is found out, guy ends up with girl, girl being nice lets the girlfriend be prom queen or w/e.

This is the most predictable movie in the history of life. I showered during the middle of it and I already knew all that s*** happened.
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8/10
Worth it.
bunnyhop25527 January 2013
So, I don't know why everyone is hating on this movie. To all of you that says this is a remake of PUTV, it's still worth watching because this is more modernized. In fact, it's better for the kids of this century to watch because they'll actually understand it and relate to it. So don't be hating!

The storyline, characters, actors and the message is great. In fact, the messages (note the plural) are inspiring. All kids should watch this!

Radio Rebel is definitely one of the better Disney films out there and it's worth a watch. I think I said this a million times already, but WORTH A LOOK AT! I personally loved it.
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6/10
The Wallflower
bkoganbing17 February 2012
The Magic Kingdom's latest teen queen star Debby Ryan who is currently a rich kid's nanny in Jessie stars in Radio Rebel which is a pseudonym she uses as a radio talk show star. Debbie is a wallflower and opens to very few, especially not to Adam DiMarco the good looking singer in the rock band she's crushing out on.

But on the radio where few can see her she's Radio Rebel a free spirited young woman who tells kids to do their own thing whatever that thing is. Such non-conformity is not to be encouraged in her high school especially where the Grinch like Nancy Robertson reigns as principal. Robertson's on a mission to seek and destroy Radio Rebel and her influence.

There are so many of these hidden personality stories on the big and small screen they're too numerous to count. But a favorite of mine is an old Alice Faye film from the Thirties called Wake Up And Live. In this one Jack Haley with Buddy Clark's voice plays a mike shy singer whose voice goes over the airwaves when he sings alone in a studio to what he thinks is a dead microphone. This time it's the guy with the hidden personality. Radio Rebel has a lot of company.

But I did dig that Spartacus like climax the film has and you'll have to see what I'm talking about because I won't reveal.
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1/10
Not Worth It.
KingCritic14 January 2018
I absolutely had to write a review on this movie. Ok, so Tara is this super shy girl, and everyone knows it right? But then, Radio Rebel announces publicly that she wants to let her voice be heard?

How is it even a secret who Radio Rebel is? Also her voice isn't even changed, the pitch is the same, her tone, inflections, everything! So those two guys recording her voice and trying to match it to everyone's should match her identity to Tara's in seconds. Or at least know what her voice sounds like!

Also, Principal Moreno states that anyone who knows Radio Rebel's identity, and doesn't report it to her, will be in serious trouble. Yet:

-Two boys still desperately try to find who she is. (Still knowing they can be suspended for it)

-Tara lets her friend Audrey know, even though she knows the dire consequences her best friend may face. (Why?)

-People don't draw logical conclusions that Tara is Radio Rebel, even though their personalities and voices are the same.

I have a theory that the students know Tara was Radio Rebel all along because of how obvious is was, and that they were too afraid to report her to Principal Moreno because it'd take away their only chance to dance at school.

So what do we have here in terms of plot? Nothing, like I just explained, the central conflict is contrived and impossible to function as a story.

Characters?

None. All are cliches. The stereotypical bubbly best friend (Audrey), the mean principal who wants to shut down all the teenagers voices (Moreno), the guy who wants his music to mean something (Gavin), and the mean popular girl who is in almost every Disney movie (Stacy).

And the message? Done over a million times.

Pump up the Volume not only worked better as a story, but it included characters who were actual people, not caricatures. They started out and were presented as cliches, but they slowly became more nuanced. Nothing in the narrative shifts like this. Not even a little.

It's not a remake of Pump up the Volume, its just a more dumbed down version of its plot. So don't watch this film, go watch an anime, much more complex than this, much more unique, more unique characters/settings etc.... I'd recommend Naruto for beginners, or perhaps My Hero Academia.
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7/10
Classic Disney-movie.
estherbyesther9 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
As many other reviewers stated, this is just another Disney Channel movie, and if you dislike those, you shouldn't watch this movie. If you do dig DCOM, this is actually great. This might just be a remake, but for a remake, this is pretty good. The whole thing about Tara being PAINFULLY shy, in some sort of attractive way, is something we can all relate to, we're shy, or we know somebody who is. The other side to the Tara- character, the fact that she is "Radio Rebel", is something I can relate to. Quite frankly, every single scene Gavin(Adam DiMarco) was in, I just stared at him, 'cause he is pretty. I must say, the characters I loved the most were Larry and Barry, who obsessed about finding out who "Radio Rebel" is, even hiding in dumpsters, and Gabe, the rock-star-y character and front man of "The Gees". All in all, good movie.
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1/10
Radio Rebel Is A Ripoff
fabdjones219 October 2012
This movie is an awful ripoff of the movie "Pump up the volume" staring Christian Slater(1990). I just can"t believe this. I have no words for this. Or maybe I do. Although the original is not a motion picture masterpiece, it conveys the reality of our educational system with a flare of comedy and reality. The Movie "Radio Rebel" Is an absolute stupid ripoff of the movie "Pump Up The Volume". What a lame ass attempt at a remake without remake permission. What really sucks is that I have to wright 10 lines to get this review to show up. I have to fill up two more lines up yet, so I will say the movie called Radio Rebel (2012)Absolutely sucks. Don't watch Radio Rebel. Pump up the volume is much better.
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6/10
"The Silent Voice"
Kamurai2520 September 2020
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.
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4/10
It doesn't hurt, it doesn't stay
blumdeluxe1 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
For a start I should probably say that I'm most likely not the aimed audience for this title, which makes my rating at least difficult.

Nevertheless, I believe there are good children or teen movies for grown ups as well, so I'll give it a go. In the beginning I was really afraid that my worst predictions come true when I saw all the stereotypes collapsing. Indeed, the movie follows a quite common story line that is poor of surprises for people above a certain age. I do think that it has an important message to tell, but it doesn't stand out compared to other titles of this genre. While some of the running gags are so much over the top that they worked surprisingly well for me, others were just over the top. I developed kind of a sympathy for the main characters but especially the sidekicks at times reminded me of comic books, being very one-dimensional.

It's popcorn cinema, you can watch it without really getting bored but all in all you could have created a much more lasting movie around the basic message. 4/10 from me, under the condition that it wasn't perhaps produced for me.
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9/10
A Fast Favorite
tesswysko27 July 2020
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!!!
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6/10
Shy? Maybe not
kosmasp20 July 2019
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
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2/10
Cliché and Predictable
kevaduke10 October 2015
Radio Rebel is about the cliché shy girl that doesn't have many friends, with of course. The predictable twist. She's a beloved anonymous DJ, looked up to by all her school peeps. But they don't know its her. Obviously. It has all the characters and persona's to make the ultimate cringe-worthy teen movie, the mean girl, the crush, the outspoken and slightly over-enthusiastic best friend and most of all: cringe- worthy acting and bad plot.

There was, yes some touching and heart-spoken parts of this movie. But nearly every single teen movie has something about "empowering yourself" and "not letting anyone bring you down". Its pretty obvious that this movie tried hard, maybe even too hard. And no doubt Debby Ryan is a good actress, because she wouldn't be where she is now without some good acting chops. But this movie does not make her shine, quite frankly. It does the opposite.

I'm sorry to say it myself but I can only be brutally honest in a review, not sugarcoat everything and make you think this movie is good. Because, its not. It's quite cliché, predictable and badly acted. Sorry Debby.
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10/10
Great message and great plot
ashiebaby4817 February 2012
One of the best Disney movies out. Not a bad message to the viewers and it doesn't seem fake, like most of Disney's stuff. The message of being yourself, letting your voice be heard is something a lot of kids in the viewing audience needs to see and hear. Debby Ryan is amazing. I loved her in Jessie but she really shines in this movie. The Stacey character is bit annoying, and each "group" has an airhead best friend, that is getting really old but Disney has to have those ditsy characters to make it funny I guess. The story line goes along well with what is going in the world, with the protests. It really makes a stand on the whole 'fight the power' and 'sticj it to the man' concept. Let your voice be heard, right?
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6/10
It's exactly what I expected
bcirilli27 March 2021
It's a cheesy teen romantic comedy. Don't watch it if you're expecting anything novel or different, but it's not bad to watch if you want something easy on....
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1/10
werid faces
rubyalina1 May 2020
Faces are too werid very strange, very bad movie, needs to be cancelled
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3/10
AMAZING L
cooperstar-985745 April 2021
One of the best movies I've ever watched. Definitely worth a try! My kids are obssesed it's almost my 10th time watching! Debby Ryan is so funny :) 10/10! Totally worth a try if you haven't seen it already!
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