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Critical Thinking

Play trailer 2:04 Poster for Critical Thinking Released Sep 4, 2020 1h 57m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Miami -- 1998. Poverty, broken families, and a prejudiced system push underprivileged youth to the fringes of society. But for a magnetic group of teens, there's a reprieve. A game where it's not about where you come from, but how you play. That equalizer is chess. Mr. "T" Martinez, a chess militant and passionate coach, leads them to a completely foreign field of battle.
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Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

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Critics Consensus

Strategic in delivering all the feels, Critical Thinking is a good old-fashioned underdog story that marks a winning directorial debut for John Leguizamo.

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Critics Reviews

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Matthew Monagle Austin Chronicle [It] captures the appeal of chess without defaulting to a white perspective of these students. It may be overly familiar at times, but just like the game of chess itself, sometimes it's the smallest moves that end up making the biggest difference. Rated: 3/5 Sep 11, 2020 Full Review Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) When John Leguizamo is just flowing with those kids... this movie is as good as any other [classroom drama]. Sep 5, 2020 Full Review Odie Henderson RogerEbert.com If nothing else, Critical Thinking reminds you what a chess player can look like. Rated: 3/4 Sep 4, 2020 Full Review M.N. Miller Ready Steady Cut John Leguizamo’s Critical Thinking is a strategic crowd-pleaser. Rated: 3.5/5 Sep 9, 2022 Full Review Josh Parham Next Best Picture It’s difficult to not become invested in a light-hearted story with good intentions, even when the storytelling feels scattershot at times. Rated: 7/10 Jun 5, 2022 Full Review Nicolás Delgadillo Discussing Film A smart and solid directing debut. Rated: 3.5 / 5 Jun 25, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Flechettes Why is this movie awesome? Mr. T breaks chess down to his class to this one poignant point, Chess is the great equalizer. This is true and has been proven by child prodigy who came from nothing and became World Champion without formal training. It is also true someone can be taught to become Grand Masters. Naturally, many views are expressed when it comes to defining what makes a great chess player. The movie leans heavily on those who are born into the inner-city from Miami and becomes part of a Team that wins the National Championship. The student who wins the Individual Championship also earns the team the top honors by winning his final game of the tournament. However, unliked his team mates he is highly skilled because he learned chess while living in Cuba in a school that followed the Soviets chess teaching methods. Yes, Chess, the great equalizer is a game that many have given their best at describing the game. The best way to understand chess is to learn the game. There are many different opportunities for anyone wanting to learn chess. Chess has boomed over the years with online chess being a major factor in increasing the interest and popularity of this intriguing game. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/18/23 Full Review Paul D This was my second chess movie. The first was about a Ugandan girl who became a chess champion. I have never played, and so I have no way of assessing the authenticity of the great deal of information about the art of playing the game contained in the film. As a compelling drama, it held up well. I wish it had not come out during pandemic, because it deserved a large audience. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/10/23 Full Review Ball S John Leguizamo's Critical Thinking is a strategic crowd-pleaser. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/08/23 Full Review Yvonne T Nice. I like the film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/08/23 Full Review Ryan L Very nice movie love it Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/08/23 Full Review O C Thinking reminds you what a chess player can look like. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Critical Thinking

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Movie Info

Synopsis Miami -- 1998. Poverty, broken families, and a prejudiced system push underprivileged youth to the fringes of society. But for a magnetic group of teens, there's a reprieve. A game where it's not about where you come from, but how you play. That equalizer is chess. Mr. "T" Martinez, a chess militant and passionate coach, leads them to a completely foreign field of battle.
Director
John Leguizamo
Producer
Jason Mandl, Scott M. Rosenfelt
Screenwriter
Dito Montiel
Distributor
Vertical Entertainment
Production Co
Perfect Balance, Cinema Veritas, NRSP, Hialeah Park Studios
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 4, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 4, 2020
Runtime
1h 57m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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