"The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters" Review

I'd like to talk about an American hero.


This is Steve Wiebe. Formerly a drummer and an athlete, Steve is a master of "Donkey Kong" as documented in the film "King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters" - one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time. Wiebe is the embodiment of the underdog. He's an every man, a family man, the cool science teacher, and most importantly, a guy who needs a break.

To overcome the odds and show that he's an honorable guy, Wiebe abandoned an incredible, record breaking "Donkey Kong" score (achieved in his garage) and traveled across the country to prove his worth.

Now let's meet the unlikely antagonist of the film.


Billy Mitchell was the holder of the "Donkey Kong" world record, the "Donkey Kong Jr." world record, and accomplished the perfect game of "Pac-Man." There's nothing scandalous about Mitchell at face value. In '82, he took a slew of people to school at multiple video games and ultimately became the "Gamer of the Century" in '99. He sells his hot sauce, has a weird beard, and luxurious long hair.

But by the end of the movie, you have to loathe Billy Mitchell. He's a conniving, negative, "mightier-than-thou" man. After saying that Wiebe's garage high score didn't count because he played it at home, he went on to defeat Wiebe's arcade tournament score via a tape from his home. In many ways, Billy Mitchell is the weasel and Steve Wiebe the hero.

I won't give away the film's ending or any of the ongoings of Wiebe and Mitchell, but "The King of Kong" is one of the greatest pieces of film I've ever seen. Director Seth Gordon manages to capture a tension that you only feel when you watch somebody else play a classic video game.

If you watch one documentary this year, watch "The King of Kong." It doesn't matter if you're a casual gamer, a competitive gamer, a sports fan, or a political enthusiast. This film is the story of the rise and fall of the little guy and it couldn't be illustrated more brilliantly.