King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is an astonishingly unforgettable look at the world of retro video games. The documentary first situates itself in the subculture surrounding gaming’s greatest hits like Pac Man and, of course, Donkey Kong. Archive footage of the world’s first video game tournaments sets the stage for the scene as it is today, torn over top scores and divided between the efforts of its two greatest players.

A lot of people will probably need more than a gentle urging to go see this film. Those folks will likely and simultaneously need a strong pair of hands to hold their minds open long enough for Kong’s profundity to really sink in. Alas, as cliché as it sounds, this film shows us that Donkey Kong is about ‘more than just the game.’ Because, when you get right down to it, gaming is just like anything else competitive, bringing out the best, the worst, the past, present, and future of man.

King of Kong shows us two of these men, the classic and treacherous villain that is Billy Mitchell, and the humble, yet hardworking underdog that is Steve Wiebe. To put it plainly, even the most talented screenwriter couldn’t possibly create characters as brilliant as the straight-from-life subjects of this film. Mitchell plays the role of the untouchable Donkey Kong deity since his record breaking game in 1982. With his perfectly tamed mane of hair, his cowboy boots, and his bosom-tastic wife, Mitchell would make any man scared to talk down on Donkey. Then there’s Wiebe, the friendly family man who’s had his heart set on beating the game’s high score since loosing his job and living a lifetime of second bests. When score keepers overturn Wiebe’s taped submissions, he flies out to a place called Fun Spot in order to duke out Donkey Kong with Mitchell in person. But when Mitchell won’t play, crowning the King of Kong gets ugly.

King of Kong is a swift kick in the pants to anyone who thinks that video gamers are soft-hearted pushovers; coin slingers can be downright nasty, and this film is the proof-ridden pudding. There are some absurd ideas that could potentially fuel anyone’s anti-gaming fire, but overall the movie is incredibly touching and addictively appealing. Filled with poignant moments, heavy hitting laughs, and touching sentiments from the gamers and their families, King of Kong rules 2007’s documentary films.

Liz Licorish
LizFlix@elitestv.com