Parents' Guide to

World's Best

Movie PG 2023 101 minutes
World's Best movie poster: Indian American boy with backpack and holding black lunch bag center stands in front of colorful mural of boombox and himself and father rapping into microphones

Common Sense Media Review

JK Sooja By JK Sooja , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Great songs, positive themes in sincere family comedy.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

  • World's Best: Indian American boy and father center rap in front of microphone at club
  • World's Best: Indian American boy and father in matching gold and blue jumpsuits center rap on stage under blue lights and in front of giant boombox
  • World's Best: Rapper Doug E. Fresh center wears sunglasses and striped, green windbreaker while standing in front of podium with microphone

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 7 parent reviews

DadSaysNo
DadSaysNo Parent of 10, 11 and 14-year-old
June 23, 2023
age 10+

Entertaining couple of hours

My standard for rating a film that is targeted towards families is this: 1. After the film, I'll ask my kids (between 10 and 14, boys and girl) what the movie was about. If they say "I don't know" or give vague responses, I know it was not in any way memorable to them and, in general, a waste of time. If, though, they respond with an expansive of the movie and provide me with their is interpretations of the message of the film, especially if done without asked, it carried value for them. 2. If the message they took from the film was a good one (see above) then the value of brought was positive. 3. If the movie was something I could enjoy and could even recall anything they told me about the film, then it was a pretty good film. 4. I ask if they liked it. For this movie, my 14 year old was able to clearly explain the premise and how the main character copied with the difficulties he experienced in middle school without a father in his life. He explained how the main character clearly felt pain and confusion and it caused him to, at times, act poorly. He explained that he was able to find a way to move forward with the help of his friends and learn to appreciate himself for who he was and what he could do. The fact that he was able to give me all of this from the movie told me that it was a positive value and a good way to spend a couple of hours. This got the movie is first 3.5 stars the last 1.5 came from the fact that my kids said they enjoyed it and I thought it was a pretty good movie.
Heather D.
Heather D. Adult
August 4, 2024
age 6+

Watched it for family movie night and all really enjoyed it, great story, funny and touching. The music numbers were awesome!
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In WORLD'S BEST, Prem Patel (Manny Magnus) wishes he knew who his father, Suresh (Utkarsh Ambudkar), was before he passed away from cancer. Prem has few memories of him, so he asks his mother (Punam Patel) what his father was like. When she tells him that he was a famous underground rapper, Prem starts to wonder: Could he be a rapper too?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (2 ):

The uplifting, catchy, and fiercely creative songs in this fun comedy highlight the most positive aspects of rap music in a family-friendly package. The original music and score in World's Best have the story bouncing along as central character Prem tries to find his voice as a math genius and budding rapper, and relative newcomer Magnus is wonderful as both. Prem's father, Suresh, played by Ambudkar (who also wrote most of the songs), is a delightful mix of gleeful abandon and fatherly mentor, even if he is just a figment of Prem's imagination. The relationship they build together, through song and rap, shows a tenderness and heartfelt longing that grounds this family story of moving forward in the wake of great loss.

It's also very smart with plenty of positive messages. There are great moments that connect algebra to writing raps, teach how to memorize mathematical formulas with song, and show how to perform with confidence no matter what other people might think. While common stereotypes about "nerdy" kids are repeated here, the story tries to alleviate some of them by suggesting that people can be into many different things at the same time and that it can be limiting and insensitive to categorize or label people by what they like or don't like. The story also wisely does not forgo Prem's love for math in favor of rap, as it so easily could have done, and instead chooses to cleverly find a way to suggest that both can have a prominent role in his life. But certainly, comedic musicals also live and die by the quality of the songs, so it is a great relief that the music, raps, and singing (Magnus is quite a talent) are as fun as they are and match the quality of this lovely story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the positive messages in World's Best. How were these expressed through the film's songs? Did you have a favorite?

  • How did Prem show courage, curiosity, and gratitude? Why are these such important character strengths to have?

  • Discuss the bullying behavior in the film. What teasing comments did you think were most hurtful? Did you think it was necessary to the story? If so, why?

  • How did Prem finally find his voice by the end? What helped him realize that he could be good at both math and rap? What similarities between math and music (or rapping) did the film show?

Movie Details

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