Synopsis:
This documentary takes us into the world of competitive old school arcade gaming and follows Steve Weibe's, attempts to break the world record for the highest score on Donkey Kong, a record held by Billy Mitchell.
We're all aware of the
great rivalries throughout history. Sub-zero vs Scorpion, Cats vs
Dogs, Pepsi vs Coke, Stone Cold vs The Rock, Apple vs Microsoft,
Thomas Edison vs Nikola Telsa, all will go down as histories greatest
combatants in their respected fields. But none of these bouts, my
friends, are as brilliant as the one captured by the makers of King
of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. This documentary sheds light on
the saga of Steve Weibe and Billy Mitchell, the worlds greatest
Donkey Kong players (well, I just researched it and someone beat
their scores last year but frankly my dear... I don't give a damn). I
can honestly say I haven't enjoyed an on-screen David and Goliath
rivalry, or any rivalry for that matter, as much as I have this. Set
in such an eye-opening place of society, the world of competitive
arcade gaming, what could go wrong? Nothing, that's what!
I mean I've seen some
nerds in my time, and this is coming from the person who until he saw
this documentary felt like his nerd level was way over 9000, but
these guys are taking it to all new extremes. I neither understand or
expect any of these hardcore gamers to live or have time for a normal
life. Constantly bettering their craft as they compete to be the top
guys. Although it focuses on the battle for the crown of Donkey Kong
Champion, other record holders make appearances, as well as official
referees and the founder of Twin Galaxies, the official adjudicators
of all gaming world records. These guys are so wrapped up this world
of classic arcade gaming that for the audience it feels so real that
you get deeply immersed in this low-pixel clash of the titans.
Without a doubt the
best thing about this doc is how much this feels like fiction.
Generic fiction. With all the character archetypes there. There's
Steve Weibe, our hero and always the underdog. He fights for honour, and family, and pride,
his character having been criticised, he's out prove he's no cheat.
The villain, Billy Mitchell, with his dark long hair and Ronald
Defoe-esque beard. He carries a smugness about him as he was the
original holder of the high score and a celebrity in the world of
arcade gaming. A huge superiority complex, he even has a little
sidekick-villain in some young Donkey Kong player called Brian. This
guy tries to slyly put off Steve Weibe in his quest for glory,
reporting back to his master's lair with news of Steve's conquest. To
top things off Billy even has the large breasted trophy wife, a WAG
some might say. Then added into the mix is the wise man in Walter
Day, the founder of Twin Galaxies. There's even an underlying
presence of ultimate evil of Roy Schilts aka “Mr. Awesome”. This
guy was really the person to turn Mitchell to the darkside with their
original cufuffle, as well as being the reason for Steve's score to
be put under scrutiny. There's even the damsel, Steve Wiebe's wife,
who's just praying that her man can get the high score so that she
can be saved from his non-stop dedication to the Donkey Kong machine
that sits in their garage.
I mean, I'm sure guys
like Mitchell aren't actually evil, but the way all the archetypal
characters are so perfectly portrayed in real life you cant help but
go along with it and cheer on your hero. This is the charm of the
piece, it's all real to them, these strange, strange middle-aged men
who are stuck in the 80's. I mean, imagine being a nerd, but a nerd
from the 80's, stuck in today's society. This is what it's like
watching, two mythical beings from a past age battling it out in a
world completely separate from ours. I mean blimey, it's like they've
set up a whole separate diegesis, but it's really happening! Or maybe
I'm maybe making this sound more exciting than it probably is. Ah
well, the whole thing is just awesome.
Overview:
This is an absolute
must see. It's funny, emotional and uplifting. You get taken into the
enchanting world of arcade gaming and engrossed by the gladiatorial
platform for these Donkey Kong heavyweights. The most intriguing
documentary you'll ever see.
Rating:
★★★★★
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