The King of Kong
THE KING OF KONG: STORY OF THE UNDERDOG
The King of Kong chronicles the world of competitive 80s gaming and its gamers obsession with their beloved. Donkey Kong is the game of choice and its two competitors play the video game with their heart and soul. It is a tale of double standards, playing against all odds, and sacrificing everything to see who the better person is.
Billy Mitchell is the champion of 80s videogame Donkey Kong. His reigning score is 874,300. He achieved this score in 1982. In 2005 Steve Wiebe is a stay at home dad after being laid off from his job. He plays Donkey Kong in his garage. He sets his sights on breaking Billy’s score. He achieves this with a score of 1,000,000. He sends in the tape to Twin Galaxies, the keeper of world record gaming scores. Two men show up at Wiebe’s to validate the score. When it is found out that Billy Mitchell’s enemy Ron Schildt (aka “Mr. Awesome”) gave Steve a replacement piece for the game because his original one was broken, the score is not recognized because they claim that a “gummy” substance was found on the piece. Steve sets out to prove his abilities by doing it live on more than one occasion. Billy and Steve duel it out for the achievement of top Donkey Kong player.
This is a documentary but it plays out like a real drama. There is Billy, the recognized champion and Steve, the underdog that can’t get any respect. Billy is arrogant. Steve is a family man who is down on his luck. It is very clear cut who the audience should be rooting for. Funspot in New Hampshire is the site where Steve first beats Billy’s score in public. The audience is introduced to a group of gamers that are a sad bunch. One is a 30 year old by the name of Brian Kuh. He plays like Billy’s pet, antagonizing Steve as he is playing and calling Billy every chance he gets to update him. Billy is the Godfather of Donkey Kong. The men of Twin Galaxies are at first his lackeys. Billy is seen as a man with a God complex, with his Jesus-like hair and refusal to defend his scores in public.
One on one with Billy would have made the film more even and not so one sided. The lack of interviews and willingness to acknowledge Steve directly just adds to his villainy. But this was Steve’s choice, as is seen in the DVD extras.
This is the story of Samson and Goliath of 80s video game playing. This is the good guy vs. the bad guy, with the audience rooting for the good guy to come out on top. It is an inspiring story. And the DVD extras continue where the film ends for those who just can’t get enough.
Report Card:
Story-B
Acting-N/A
Visuals-C
Originality/Innovation-B+
Enjoyability Grade–B+
DVD Extras-A
Overall Grade-B+
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