By John Corrado

Phiona Mutesi (Madine Nalwanga) is a girl living in the slums of Uganda with her mother (Lupita Nyong’o) and siblings.  When she is taken under the wing of kind coach Robert Ketende (David Oyelowo), he helps foster the innate talent she has for chess to become a world champion.

Based on a true story, Queen of Katwe delivers its share of genuinely uplifting and inspiring scenes, and it’s all held together by a trio of excellent performances by Madine Nalwanga, Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo.  Although the film failed to make an impression at the box office, it’s well worth checking out, especially for families.  You can read our three views of the film right here.

The Blu-ray also includes commentary with director Mira Nair, a selection of deleted scenes, a three-part featurette on the production entitled Queen of Katwe: Their Story, and Mira Nair’s new short film A Fork, A Spoon & A Knight which focuses on the real life Robert Katende.  These supplements are rounded out by a music video for Young Cardamom & Hab’s “#1 Spice,” as well as a lyric video for the Alicia Keys song “Back to Life” and the accompanying featurette In the Studio With Alicia Keys.

Queen of Katwe is a Disney Home Entertainment release.  It’s 124 minutes and rated PG.