Perfect cast and a good story

Lack of good storyline.

From my favorite movies..

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

In New Zealand, Genesis Potini (Cliff Curtis) is a former chess player struggling with mental issues. In a rundown gang-infested neighborhood, he teaches the local kids chess and starts a team called The Eastern Knights.It's a nice performance from Cliff. Obviously, he's a great actor and his good work is not surprising. It's based on a real person. It's a compelling character although the plot isn't much. It needs more from at least one of the kids to hook in the audience. The tournament drama suffers without the kids' background. It needs more from the other actors. Overall, this is a fine character study by an exceptional actor.

With a sluggish pace, The Dark Horse revisits a tired old theme done many a time before but without any sense of direction or elaboration of plot.The core problems of the film are surely the lack of engaging characters and the absence of a convincing script and narrative. At no point did it become anything other than a brutal test of one's patience only serving drawn-out and repetitive scenes that failed to build up to some kind of climax or otherwise interesting turn of events.Aside from the annoying and undeveloped lead, no character is focused on, leaving nothing but walking/talking stereotypes one couldn't possibly relate to, dragging forward through mud, an already wafer thin plot.The positive reviews for this film here on IMDb are suspiciously disingenuous. Even though the acting was fine, a film with such a lack of hubris, originality and pace, can't possibly get more than 3 stars when judged fairly.Avoid..1/1

What a powerful movie. I think the kiwis due to their culture make the rawest movies. You wonder what might happen next. So much real tension in scenes.It is great to have movies that empower people to have a sense of purpose. Cliff Curtis plays the part of a kind of Rainman of Speed Chess back in the day. I wont give too much away but this is established early in the film. He is a simple man that really knows his chess. His nephew Mana, played brilliantly by James Rolleston (Boy) isdestined to be part of a gang that is father Ariki is a key part of.Mana wrestles with this future. The dynamic between his father and uncle and what is best is incredible. It really hits at the heart of a group insisting you be part of that when you are torn. Cliff Curtis is great in whatever I see him in. He can play any part and all of them are memorable. He has had a lot of powerful cameos but this was a lead role. I think this was his best and he won awards for it deservedly.Please watch this movie and hopefully walk away with a better appreciation for yourself

In my opinion, The Dark Horse by James Napier Robertson shows respect in the family between Gen and his older brother, Ariki, and Mana and his father, also shows the respect inside the gang. This is an emotionally story, in which Gen suffers and fights with his bi-polar disorder, he can't do the most important in his life that is playing chess. He found the way to enjoy his passion teaching a group of kids in social risk. Moreover, he helps his nephew and avoid that Mana will be part of the gang. So, he chooses the right way for his nephew. I just recommend to watch this movie because it is a true story. Based on local culture.