65
Metascore
9 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 91The PlaylistJoe BlessingThe PlaylistJoe BlessingCritical Thinking shows that Leguizamo makes a good teacher on screen and behind the camera –he’s telling a story that is truly inspiring and educational, but also revealing its relevance and keeping it fun.
- Unlike some movies that feature a group of urban teens inspired by a teacher and their lessons, it doesn’t make it seem like merely winning a chess tournament will make all the problems in their lives go away. It’s one victory that might make everything else feel less overwhelming, at least for a little bit.
- 75Film ThreatAlan NgFilm ThreatAlan NgAlthough a standard story of teacher and students overcoming their environment, Critical Thinking has enough thrills, excitement, and, most of all, hope to recommend.
- 75RogerEbert.comOdie HendersonRogerEbert.comOdie HendersonI am always game for a movie that makes me reckon with my personal feelings and biases, and I’m glad this one exists because representation will always speak volumes. If nothing else, Critical Thinking reminds you what a chess player can look like.
- 70The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisThe New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisCritical Thinking does little to detach itself from genre cliché; yet 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.
- Still, even at its most rote, Critical Thinking captures the appeal of chess without defaulting to a white perspective of these students.
- 60VarietyOwen GleibermanVarietyOwen GleibermanIt’s still, in the end, a bit of a connect-the-inspirational-dots movie, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be inspired.
- 50Screen DailyTim GriersonScreen DailyTim GriersonCritical Thinking has plenty of heart, which unfortunately can’t make up for its fairly uninspired design and predictable trajectory.
- 38Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreCritical Thinking is a cluttered, cliched and ungainly story.