The new measuring stick for special interest docos (Air Guitar Nation, Wordplay, et al), The King Of Kong – about gamers striving to break the Donkey Kong world record – has something that none of its peers have yet been able to manufacture: a legitimate cinematic villain in the unlikely form of Billy Mitchell, the undisputed celebrity of competitive video gaming. For Mitchell, newcomer Steve Wiebe is a major thorn in his legendary side; for the audience, Wiebe is a shy, genial fellow whose mild obsession is endearing in the face of Mitchell’s preening, moneyed villainous persona. Wiebe has a lovely wife and kids, Mitchell has a fake tan and a big breasted bimbo; Wiebe is trusting and kind, Mitchell is vindictive and shadowy; Wiebe is the White Hat, Mitchell is the Black Hat (the film’s superb subtitle is A Fistful Of Quarters).
Director Seth Gordon demonstrates an expert hand here, opening up the world of competitive retro gaming to prying eyes (but not condescension) while simultaneously introducing and fleshing out his sometimes outlandish central characters. He doesn’t pick sides (nor does he have to), and through simple talking head interviews, archival footage and 'action" shots, he stitches together a tapestry of human endeavour, emotion and hubris. The production’s appearance is as stuck in the 1980s as the games that its characters play (Pac-Man, Q*bert, etc), but even that is to its merit, as the guerrilla filming and crummy graphics only enhance the appeal. The King Of Kong is a documentary to rival Murderball, Dogtown And Z-Boys or Pumping Iron in its palpable devotion to its sport and un-patronising, uncompromising window into the lives of its participants.
Filmink 4/5
