Since he was 5 yrs old, Jose’s abuelita taught him to play chess like his grandfather who was a champion in Mexico. With help from his coach, Jose tries to help his school's chess team reach the Texas state finals.
There isn't a single surprising development or unforeseen story turn in "Endgame," and yet, as a study in formulaic Screenwriting 101 filmmaking, it's really rather pleasant and sometimes surprisingly moving.
The otherwise congenial film plays itself to a draw because of flat characters and a script that overdoes the melodrama in the service of checking off a series of genre tropes borrowed from sports movies.
A very modest film having much in common with the after-school Disney TV shows about kids and geared to kids. If you have kids that play chess, they'll enjoy this.
Rico Ramirez keeps the audience interested even when Jose is at his least sympathetic, and knows how to turn on the harm without ever being sugary. He's definitely one to watch.
