[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.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 11, 2020

When John Leguizamo is just flowing with those kids... this movie is as good as any other [classroom drama].

| Sep 5, 2020

If nothing else, Critical Thinking reminds you what a chess player can look like.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 4, 2020

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.

| Sep 3, 2020

This may be a textbook case of an inspirational teacher/underdog sports drama, but it surehandedly delivers the feels.

| Sep 2, 2020

It's still, in the end, a bit of a connect-the-inspirational-dots movie, but that doesn't mean you won't be inspired.

| Sep 1, 2020