Normally, we here at completionist.com only review video games. Normally. We make exceptions when there is a movie that comes out, once in a blue moon, on the subject of video games. This actually gives me a great idea to have a Uwe Boll marathon and liveblog our experience but we will save that for another day. Today is all about, of all things, a video game documentary entitled ‘The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters’.

The King of Kong follows the attempts of one man, Steve Wiebe, to break the high score record on Donkey Kong, held by Billy Mitchell. The movie begins with the back story of Mitchell setting the record in 1982, one that many people believed could not be broken. Wiebe (pronounced Wii-bee) enters the picture 23 years later determined to break the record. I won’t spoil it and say whether or not he pulls off the feat.

The movie is decidedly pro-Wiebe. He is a classic runner-up…always falling just short of first place. It’s because of this portrayal that your naturally side with Wiebe. This, of course, leads to a general dislike of all things Mitchell. From his obnoxious underlings to his out-of-style mullet, Mitchell is definitely the villain. If Michael Moore has taught us one thing about documentary film making it’s that peoples’ words can be construed to make them look bad. That being said, it’s hard to believe that Mitchell isn’t a complete narcissist when quotes like “Well, maybe they’d like it if I lose. I gotta try losing sometime” come flying out of his mouth. Needless to say, you want to root for the good guy and the good guy is Wiebe.

The King of Kong does a great job of telling the story of Wiebe’s dream, following him with excitement to various live events in an effort to get his name into the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records while balancing the story with the impact the pursuit is having on his personal life. The movie is somewhat of a roller coaster, following Wiebe through the ups and downs of chasing a record as seemingly unbreakable as DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak or Gretzky’s all-time points. The way in which the movie builds up the record as being something meritous of envy demonstrates its subtle brilliance.

The movie sheds a tiny light on a world that, even those of us who enjoy video games, know very little about. The pursuit of classic arcade game high scores is taken extremely seriously in this circle. People dedicate their entire lives in the hope that their name will one day appear on the high score list of Twin Galaxies or the Guinness Book of World Records. You are rooting for these people while at the same time, feeling somewhat sorry for them.

The King of Kong saw only limited theatrical release and is now available on DVD. For those of you in Canada who subscribe to the Movie Network, it will be airing on July 21st and 25th. It is also currently available through TMN On Demand. It is extremely interesting for people who are passionate about the games they play. Who knows…it may even inspire you to set your own high score.

I usually try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but in this case, I really can’t see my way to believing Billy Mitchell is anything other than a grade-A asshole. Even if he spent all his off-camera time rescuing kittens out of trees, donating blood, and taking care of sick children and the elderly, he still says/does enough in the movie to qualify as a jerk of epic proportions. I’m sure they intentionally cut the footage to make him look bad, but no amount of editing can change the fact that he actually said things like:

“No matter what I say, it draws controversy. Sort of like the abortion issue.”

Also, I know I’m a pretty big nerd, but some of the guys in this movie make me feel like head cheerleader and prom queen all rolled into one.