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Movie review: King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
BY MAGGIE SCOTT
In the September issue of “Game Informer” magazine, the reference bible for those who play computer and video games, there is a side bar interview with one of the principal characters in the new documentary, “King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.” He claims that the work is not objective and that the filmmakers created a villain vs. good guy scenario that crosses the line of fairness.
Keeping that in mind, the film scores extremely high in appeal for keeping the focus on personalities under the pressure of competition and underplaying the mystique of what for many is a frivolous time-waster. The Kong in question is the classic arcade game, Donkey Kong; and the King is, well, debatable, if all you know about the epic rivalry comes from watching the movie.
As one of the story’s protagonists describes competitive gaming, if you’re going for the record, you “gotta pay the price.” What that price is appears to be frustration if you can’t convince the ones officially recognizing a record that you legitimately beat the other guy’s score. Seth Gordon’s film takes a moment in the life of “gamer of the century,” Billy Mitchell, when he was challenged by Redmond, Washington family man, Steve Wiebe, for the highest Donkey Kong score validated by Twin Galaxies. This is the official scorekeeper for video game records and posted by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Billy is “close to being a Jedi.” Steve is a “nice guy.” Billy has an ego and an attitude about his prowess and fame. Steve just likes to play the game and isn’t fixated on blowing anybody out of the water. His Donkey Kong game is in the garage (to appease a wife who just wants Steve to help with the kids).
One day Steve beats Billy’s record (despite distraction from one of his kids needing a wipe). It seems clear-cut (the winning game was recorded on video). But, like someone says about the game of Kong, “that ape is cunning and will do anything to stop you,” so it is in this case with trying to claim the crown.
Twin Galaxies won’t declare Steve the champ. You might smell a conflict of interest in how that played out. But, Steve is willing to try again in a “live” setting, at the famous Funspot in Lake Winnepesaukie, New Hampshire. Again, he bests the “perfect” one. How this rivalry plays out between the guy next door and the primo don takes a few more twists and turns that ultimately makes a case for keeping the fragile nature of winning in perspective. A Picturehouse release rated PG-13 for brief sexual reference.
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