Queen of Katwe: Mira Nair

When you strip everything away, Mira Nair's Queen of Katwe is still essentially a by-the-book inspirational sports story. Its standard underdog-from-the-slums-takes-on-the-rich-kids-plot doesn't deviate much from what we've come to expect of the genre. But where it shines is in the in-between moments: the lead character becoming spoiled by her success and exposure to the finer things in life while participating in a big city tournament; the protagonist's mom sacrificing herself to feed her children while her daughter pursues chess glory; and the film's commitment to portraying its characters' faith in a respectful way. We don't tend to see these things in movies, let alone formulaic Disney films. But as far as formulaic Disney films are concerned, Queen of Katwe is pleasant enough.

7/10