Reno Rangan I am not a big fan of Mira Nair. But I like some of her films, particularly 'Amelia'. Because she usually prefers India and Indian subjects and cast as what she's. Outside that circle, she was not that successful, until now. It was a sport film, that revolved around chess game. Inspired by an incredible true story from the dark continent. It all happened less than ten years ago. Disney and ESPN together produced it. So when these two productions come together, you would know what to expect.Seeing the opening few minutes, it reminded me the recent New Zealand film 'The Dark Horse'. Kind of a similar film, but I was not that impressed with that. But this one was awesome. Simply a miracle. Like any fairy-tale from the Disney. She was not a princess, but in a way she turns to be one. Years ago when I reviewed 'Searching for Bobby Fischer', I said that was the film should be shown in the schools. Now add this title as well to the list.The opening was the ending. Then followed the flashback, which went to the 4 years ago. Living in a slum of Katwe, a single mother raising her children, but not without their contribution to the family. Now the focus shifts to one of the family members, Phiona. Curiosity on her brother who disappears every day after sold out his goods leads her to a new path. That's when she discovers a game she had never heard of before. After learning the basics, she quickly picks up the rest of the game on her own and becomes a prodigy.❝Losing teaches me how to play better.❞This is like most of the true stories you have seen, but that's the truth as well in here. What might come later could impress you. Because it was not like she has a superpower, so she can clear her life path just like that. Honestly, the real test begins now for her, how she uses her gift. But it was her coach who understood the situation, and tried his best to push her further with the big tournaments, in the national and the international level. Not just her, there has been a team behind her. So the remaining is to reveal how far she would go, as well as the story of her struggling family.They have got the cast perfectly. Everyone was brilliant. David Oyelowo was amazing, surely one of my favourite British actors for now. This is the second consecutive time he's making a such impression. Not long ago with 'A United Kingdom'. Definitely the Oscars is just a corner. And then Lupita Nyong'o, she was not the centre of the story, but had enough part and she excelled every bit of it. The rest of the actors, including the one who played Phiona was amazing. At the end credit, both the cinematic and the real life characters appeared. I felt that was a result of excitement, but liked it.The sad part was why such films were ignored at the big stages! This is a must see film, especially if you have a kid(s) in the home, show it to them. Being the parents, uncle and aunt, that's one of the best thing you would do for them. Because no one knows when and where kids gets their confidence boost, inspiration or discovering a new path. You can't compare films with real life, even it was a biopic. But still the true story always remains a true story, even after they're compressed to 120 minutes. Particularly the Disney film gets rid of harsh parts, making a family friendly film. So watch it for a change, you have no other reasons, you could be impressed!8/10

tlarraya We love achievement movies (about sports or any other kind of talent) and we like movies about gifted children and we like chess. So we expected to really enjoy this movie. But it is not too exciting. It was a bit of a let down. And it is too long for the story it has to tell. I wouldn't recommend it.

Tony Heck "Sometimes the place you are used to is not the place you belong." Phiona (Nalwanga) is having a hard time trying to find a place where she feels like she fits in. Like most Ugandan families she is struggling. When she attends a chess class with her brother she meets Robert (Oyelowo) who teaches her chess, and changes her life. This is a movie I was really looking forward to. I love true stories, and movies about an underprivileged child finding a way to improve her life are usually wonderful and inspiring. This movie is no exception. The story really sucks you in and you connect with Phiona in a way you don't with many characters and find yourself actively rooting for her. The acting is really good but the drama and heart is the real reason to watch this. I highly recommend this and its a great family movie. It is a little too Disney at some points, but in a movie like this that is not a bad thing. Overall, inspiring and one I highly recommend. Stay through the credits, they have the actors standing along side the actual people they played in the movie. I wish more true stories would do something like this. I give this an A-.

destinylives52 Based on a true story, Madina Nalwanga plays the title role in "Queen Of Katwe," a young girl in the slums of Uganda who displays amazing skills in chess. With the support of a tough, hard-working mother (played by Lupita Nyong'o) and a teacher (played by David Oyelowo), Nalwanga's chess playing abilities opens up a whole new world for her, as well as opportunities that can elevate her and her family from the slums. But patience and learning how to take losses are two skills Nalwanga needs to learn, or else she'll risk burning out and quitting before she reaches her goals.My most memorable, movie moment of "Queen Of Katwe" is the scene when Nalwanga and the other slum, chess students are put against the rich "city boys" of Uganda in a chess tournament. It's upper class against lower class; the rich against the poor…but in chess, money and power mean nothing. It's how powerful your mind is.Mannysmemorablemoviemoments