Queen of Katwe Review

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Still of Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) from the Disney movie from NPR’s article. photographer: Edward Echwalu

Maggie McNamara, Writer

Disney’s latest movie might be the most inspiring one yet. Queen of Katwe, is a true story about a girl named Phiona Mutesi. Phiona is from Katwe, a crime-ridden slum on the outskirts of Kampala (the capital of Uganda). One day, around the age of nine, Phiona followed her brother to the Sports Outreach Institute where he was learning to play chess. In the run-down, barely standing building where the Outreach Institute was located, Phiona recognized her talent and went on to become an amazing chess player.

After first having a book written about her, Disney then went to adapt their own version, and I knew from seeing the first preview for this movie that it would be inspiring and bring tears to my eyes.

Fellow Bob Jones student Erin McNamara said, “I saw a preview for the movie and immediately wanted to see it. It was beautiful, heartwarming, and reminded me that I can do anything I put my mind to.”

The cast of the movie has a few known actors like Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo, but it is mostly comprised of rising actors and actresses like Madina Nalwanga (Phiona).

Contributers on IMDb.com gave the movie a 7.2/10 and Rotten Tomato critics gave it 91%, and viewers gave it 87%.

I personally give it an 8.5/10. I think it was very well-directed, beautiful, and inspiring.