Friday, February 29, 2008

My Two Cents: The King of Kong

Here's my quick review for the new DVD release of The King of Kong: A Fistfull of Quarters. I know most people probably aren't into documentaries (unless you're a Michael Moore fanboy) and I'm sure even fewer people are into documentaries about video games. If this sounds like you, mosey on.


This is, in my opinion, the best documentary I've ever seen (and let me tell you, I've seen about 5 in my time), probably because I'm a gamer. Yeah, that'd probably explain it. Anyways, this film covers the war between gamers Billy Mitchell (who held the high score in Donkey Kong since 1982) and newcomer Steve Wiebe (science teacher, family man, i.e. Mr. All-American) for the Donkey Kong world record. I know, I know, it sounds kind of boring, and I don't blame you. Like I said earlier, it's a documentary about a video game. Well, not quite.

It actually stops being about the game itself and begins to focus on the human aspect of it all. There's humor in the situations, but there's also sadness. Although I started watching this flick by myself -- which I dropped 20 bucks on without previously seeing -- Tara finished it with me, which was a surprise. She actually got pissed off at Billy because of how much of a douche bag he is through it all. All-in-all, this was a very interesting flick. Most wouldn't want to watch it again and again so I'd tell most of you to rent it. If not for me, do it for Mario. You might not want to admit it but you all know who he is and, more likely than not, a majority of you love him. C'mon, go back to where it all began, see what our little Italian plumber was doing before he was rescuing Princess Peach from castles. Perhaps rescuing Pauline from a giant gorilla who resides at the top of a construction site?

Bottom line, it's interesting just to see how serious gaming can get and how it can change people. Rent, damn you, rent!