Queen of Katwe brings this story to light in a powerful and enriching way
There have been a lot of sports biopics in Hollywood recently. In the last years there have been films like Race, Hands of Stone and Eddie the Eagle. They all tell about an amazing athlete who defied the odds and became a champion. These films deal with boxing, track and field, and Ski jumping. These athletes all had an amazing story to tell and these films do a good job bringing them to the light. There have been a few films about chess, but not many of them. Yet none of them are like Queen of Katwe. Chess is just a part of an extraordinary story that everyone needs to hear. I was able to see it early and here is what I thought of it.
You can read the plot for Queen of Katwe here:
Living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) and her family. Her world changes one day when she meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a missionary who teaches children how to play chess. Phiona becomes fascinated with the game and soon becomes a top player under Katende’s guidance. Her success in local competitions and tournaments opens the door to a bright future and a golden chance to escape from a life of poverty.
I really liked Queen of Katwe. The story is an amazing one it was a pleasure to watch it all unfold before my eyes. Yet what makes this a truly wonderful film is the cast. No matter how big or small a role is everyone does a great job in the role they play. I also liked that this film made me laugh, like a lot. There were plenty of simple one liners that were clever and executed perfectly to make for some really funny scenes.
There are also plenty of dramatic moments where things look hopeless for Phiona and her family. It is in these moments where chess finds a way to keep her hope alive. As long as Phiona holds on to this there is no telling how far she may go in life. To learn more about Queen of Katwe check this website out.
Queen of Katwe deserves 8/10. The story is amazing one but this is not what makes this a great movie. It has a the stellar cast, talented writers and a director who clearly knew what they were doing. Without them this could have easily become another quickly forgotten sports biopic. Instead this is a movie that everyone needs to see. It is a great film to take the whole family to see and may be another big hit for Disney.
Queen of Katwe comes out this Friday. You can follow Queen of Katwe on Facebook and Twitter.
Watch the inspiring trailer below: