This is what a good biopic should be: inspiring without being sappy, educational without being boring, and recent enough that it doesn't feel like homework.

The story itself is genuinely remarkable—a kid who moved around California following harvests became a NASA astronaut. The high audience scores (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) suggest it actually delivers emotionally, which is where many biopics fall flat. It's not going to blow anyone's mind cinematically, but it's solid, watchable, and meaningful.

For families, this is gold: great representation, strong STEM messaging, and a chance to talk about real-world challenges like discrimination and poverty without it feeling heavy-handed. The age 10+ rating is spot-on—younger kids won't fully grasp the systemic barriers Jose faced, but older kids and teens will get it and likely feel motivated.

The only knock is that it's still a biopic, which means some slower stretches and predictable beats. But compared to most inspirational true stories, this one earned its 84.