Monday, June 11, 2012

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters Review


Written by Kirk Baird

The other day I watched The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters for the third time. Director Seth Gordon struck documentary gold with this 2007 tale of perennial second-place finisher Steve Wiebe who sets out to be the best Donkey Kong player in the world. Standing in his way is Billy Mitchell, the current world record holder for highest Donkey Kong score, who will go to great lengths to keep his title.

Theirs is a classic gaming battle for the ages, one that’s had several twists since the film was made. (But wait until AFTER you watch the movie before you Google an update.)

More than a blast from the past for those who frequented arcades in the early 1980s, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is replete with unexpected drama, humor, and emotions, along with subtle commentary about the human condition and what it means to be the best. It’s also the kind of compelling underdog story that’s often reserved only for sports movies. Think of The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters as The Hustler meets Hoosiers, and you’ll only begin to appreciate it.

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