X
- 2020
- Not Rated
- ACE Entertainment
- 1 h 57 m
- 2020
- Not Rated
- ACE Entertainment
- 1 h 57 m
Summary Based on a true story from 1998, five LatinX and Black teenagers from the toughest underserved ghetto in Miami fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.
Directed By: John Leguizamo
Written By: Dito Montiel
- 2020
- Not Rated
- ACE Entertainment
- 1 h 57 m
- 2020
- Not Rated
- ACE Entertainment
- 1 h 57 m
Critical Thinking
65
4.2
Where to Watch
Summary Based on a true story from 1998, five LatinX and Black teenagers from the toughest underserved ghetto in Miami fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.
Directed By: John Leguizamo
Written By: Dito Montiel
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
65
67% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
22% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
11% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
65
67% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
22% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
11% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Critical Thinking shows that Leguizamo makes a good teacher on screen and behind the camera –he’s telling a story that is truly inspiring and educational, but also revealing its relevance and keeping it fun.
Unlike some movies that feature a group of urban teens inspired by a teacher and their lessons, it doesn’t make it seem like merely winning a chess tournament will make all the problems in their lives go away. It’s one victory that might make everything else feel less overwhelming, at least for a little bit.
Although a standard story of teacher and students overcoming their environment, Critical Thinking has enough thrills, excitement, and, most of all, hope to recommend.
Critical Thinking does little to detach itself from genre cliché; yet this heartfelt drama about a rough-and-tumble group of high-schoolers who claw their way to a national chess tournament has a sweetness that softens its flaws.
Still, even at its most rote, Critical Thinking captures the appeal of chess without defaulting to a white perspective of these students.
Critical Thinking has plenty of heart, which unfortunately can’t make up for its fairly uninspired design and predictable trajectory.
Critical Thinking is a cluttered, cliched and ungainly story.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 User Ratings
4.2
17% Positive
1 Rating
1 Rating
50% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
33% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 User Ratings
4.2
17% Positive
1 Rating
1 Rating
50% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
33% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
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