Featured Audience Ratings

• Bob S

  
  good fun but seemed a little staged for the cameras - ok, very staged.

• Jeff "

  
  Good documentary, but is not as great as what every critic has claimed it to be. The film uncovers the word of competitive gaming and some of its icons such as Billy Mitchell who held the record of the most points acquired during a game of Donkey Kong. With a score of 870,300 points,… More
  Good documentary, but is not as great as what every critic has claimed it to be. The film uncovers the word of competitive gaming and some of its icons such as Billy Mitchell who held the record of the most points acquired during a game of Donkey Kong. With a score of 870,300 points, Mitchell set a record hat stood for over twenty years. In comes Steve Wiebe, a teacher by day and video game enthusiast and Challenger of Billy's record. The film is good, and brings to light this interesting subject; however I found myself not liking it that much because I thought that Mitchell had a huge ego and couldn't face Steve Wiebe in what would have been the film's strongest point. I believe that if the documentary would have shown a match of Donkey Kong between Mitchell and Wiebe, then this would have been a far better film. The film is worth seeing if you're a gamer, and it is most certainly fun to watch. However if you're not familiar with its subject or don't express interest in video games, you may want to pass up on this. You can clearly see that a few parts of the film were scripted and that's really the film's biggest weakness, that and Billy Mitchell's refusal to face off with Steve Wiebe.I think what Mitchell did back in the 80'swas cool, but now he just makes himself look like a D__bag. In the end Steve Wiebe proved he was the better person and made Mitchell look like a coward. A good film, but pretty disappointing considering all the hype surrounding it.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Don't get chumpatized"</i> Diehard video game fans compete to break World Records on classic arcade games. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center>… More
  <i>"Don't get chumpatized"</i> Diehard video game fans compete to break World Records on classic arcade games. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> The King Of Kong is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. I might be a bit biased since I'm a long time video gamer but even a non- video gamer would find this one to be utterly interesting. Steve Wiebe, a then unemployed schoolteacher, decides to try and break arcade ace Billy Mitchell's long-standing score at Donkey Kong. He does so and that begins his rocky road to getting a bunch of gaming nerds to recognize him for his efforts. It's amazing to see Billy Mitchell (who comes off as the Brad Pitt of video gaming) using his smarmy charm and stroke to control the nerds who kowtow him when it comes to his beloved Donkey Kong record. All Steve Wiebe wants is recognition for his prowess at Donkey Kong; he doesn't really want to join Walter Day and his merry nerds. However, we see Billy Mitchell (who doesn't play a single game in the film) continually belittle Wiebe, talk about how great he is and use BS tactics to keep Wiebe away from his record. The Twin Galaxy nerds want to accept Steve but they are so under Billy the Egotist's thumb that they can't lest they lose their biggest "star". It's sad to see people simply let one guy walk all over them and think they deserve to be respected. We see a group of people fighting over something so trivial as a video game score record and it's a shock. That something so insignificant is taken so seriously will surprise many people. This is one documentary worth seeing just to see some real hardcore video gamers trading barbs and talking big. These guys didn't stop after the filming. Billy, Steve and a few others are still trying to be The King Of Kong as we speak.

• Michael S

  
  This is an incredible documentary about two of the most obsessive and unforgettable characters I've seen in ANY FILM! Entertaining, unforgettable and pretty remarkable.

• Steve K

  
  Okay, I'm going to be "that guy". I didn't think it was that funny. Sure, funny in moments, and I like the idea that it exists, but mainly I just wanted to punch Mitchell in the face.

• Jay H

  
  The best documentaries, I've found, are the ones whose focus is microscopic--the ones try to tell the story of just a few people. This is such a film. It tells the story of one man's journey to break the Donkey Kong arcade game world record. In the process it exposes the… More
  The best documentaries, I've found, are the ones whose focus is microscopic--the ones try to tell the story of just a few people. This is such a film. It tells the story of one man's journey to break the Donkey Kong arcade game world record. In the process it exposes the double standards and douchebaggery of the old guard of arcade gaming. It is a fantastic ride and is easily one of the most watchable, entertaining documentaries out there.

• Tsubaki S

  
  It will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Also, fuck Billy Mitchell.

• Anthony L

  
  This is a great documentary! It?s got drama, comedy, corruption! It?s a classic tale of good vs. evil. It?s like starwars but with geeks and nerds. Steve Wiebe is great hero character but Billy Mitchell has to be one of the greatest villains in cinematic history! He's like the… More
  This is a great documentary! It?s got drama, comedy, corruption! It?s a classic tale of good vs. evil. It?s like starwars but with geeks and nerds. Steve Wiebe is great hero character but Billy Mitchell has to be one of the greatest villains in cinematic history! He's like the wicked witch of the west, surrounded by his flying monkeys. This is an ace film, you should watch it this evening! :o)

• Sophie B

  
  Loved this so much. I really like how it follows a natural narrative and that these are real people being themselves. It's very funny and even though I'm not a gamer myself it was very entertaining. The facial expressions are priceless! Boo Billy Mitchell!

• Luke B

  
  Sometimes truth is far more entertaining than fiction could ever be. When a film like King of Kong comes along, you ask "Is this really a documentary?" It's more This is Spinal Tap than Capturing the Friedmans. The amazing thing is just how much conventional narrative… More
  Sometimes truth is far more entertaining than fiction could ever be. When a film like King of Kong comes along, you ask "Is this really a documentary?" It's more This is Spinal Tap than Capturing the Friedmans. The amazing thing is just how much conventional narrative is employed. There are the ups and the downs, the twists and the turns. The characters are also familiar. We have the Hero, Steve Wiebe, an everyman. He has his kids, his wife and has lost his job. We have the Villain, Billy Mitchell, one of the biggest pricks you'll ever see. A shameless self-promoter and manipulator. He even abandons his own principles to get to the top. Doris Self is an aging champion, looking to get her title back. Walter Day is the guy impressed with the newcomer, but loyal to the champ. We also have an old enemy of Mitchell's that now supports Wiebe and a wannabe ass kisser. It's great story telling. As a documentary it may be a tad biased, but it's for the best for such entertainment. Had me feeling nervous, disappointed, elated and pissed off. A great experience.

• Alexander W

  
  This is a funny and relevant movie documentary that follows Steve Wiebe ( a real guy and not an actor ) and his out of the blue desire to become the world champion..... of Donkey Kong. If you don't know what DK is, then don't even watch this film.

• Lewis C

  
  A well made documentary gets the viewer to emotionally invest into the events being shown. The King of Kong does this with fllying colors. Even someone who doesn't have much experience with classic gaming will enjoy watching this movie. Steve Wiebe's quest to be the… More
  A well made documentary gets the viewer to emotionally invest into the events being shown. The King of Kong does this with fllying colors. Even someone who doesn't have much experience with classic gaming will enjoy watching this movie. Steve Wiebe's quest to be the world's best at Donkey Kong was nothing short of fascinating. I never knew how difficult these older games could be, or how passionate some people still are about them. The amount of training that the best of these players do is incredible. Steve himself is very easy to root for, as he is so much more normal and well-adjusted than many of his competitors. He just seemed like a really nice person. And as a viewer, I could almost feel the pressure that he was under at the various events that he went to. He was the underdog that had to fight every step of the way to get to where he wanted to be. His main opponent, Billy, was not nearly so likeable. His mind-games and cronies got tiresome very quickly, and he just seemed like a huge coward who was too afraid to go head-to-head with his challenger. The triumphs and obstacles that Steve and his family face makes for a hour and a half of excellent viewing. Buy it, rent it, or download it, but see it somehow.

• Tim S

  
  Great documentary. Can't wait for further developments.

• Gordon A

  
  Fascinating glimpse inside the obsessive male psyche in all its horror. My nostalgia glands were in overdrive as the film detailed the classic arcade favourites, but its real strength is in navigating the deluded personalities on show. Sub cultures don't get much stranger than… More
  Fascinating glimpse inside the obsessive male psyche in all its horror. My nostalgia glands were in overdrive as the film detailed the classic arcade favourites, but its real strength is in navigating the deluded personalities on show. Sub cultures don't get much stranger than this.

• Daniel J D

  
  Seth Gordon took an ordinarily boring topic (I mean, Donkey Kong?) into a truly suspenseful documentary. It helped that the actual story and characters involved were rather compelling. That said, it's not one of those movies worth repeat viewing.

• JY S

  
  There are many documentaries out there, but <i>The King of Kong</i> really entertains, rather than just stating the facts. The fact that I enjoy video games doesn't hurt either.<p>The first 10 minutes of this rather short 80 minute flick may steer the viewer… More
  There are many documentaries out there, but <i>The King of Kong</i> really entertains, rather than just stating the facts. The fact that I enjoy video games doesn't hurt either.<p>The first 10 minutes of this rather short 80 minute flick may steer the viewer into thinking that this will be some sort of nerd-gamer fest. It will seem as if hardcore gamers will be talking about how gaming is life and the records that they hold is the most precious thing in the world. This makes the first 10 minutes the worst part of the movie.</p><p>In actuality, the first 10 minutes gives a look at the background of a few of the main people, although it may not seem that way. You really come to appreciate Billy Mitchell and his Donkey Kong record. Not soon after, Steve Wiebe comes into the picture to go for the record and you come to realize how much of a punk Billy Mitchell is. There really is a hero and a villain in this story and it is because of this that the ending is so satisfying.</p><p>Even with the fact that games of today are radically different, Donkey Kong still serves as the perfect game for this documentary. The concept is simple and a ton of people know about it. Even if you don't, the game takes a backseat to the characters of Steve Wiebe, Billy Mitchell, and Walter Day. Roy Shildt is an interesting character, but suffers from too little airtime.</p><p><i>The King of Kong</i> is a nicely written documentary that many a gamer will enjoy. I think it's time to visit Twin Galaxies now.

• _kelly .

  
  I just plain love this documentary. The production crew delves into the lives of classic video games' top players, centering around a rivalry between the first superstar of gaming Billy Mitchell and an unknown newcomer Steve Sanders for world champion of Donkey Kong, a game… More
  I just plain love this documentary. The production crew delves into the lives of classic video games' top players, centering around a rivalry between the first superstar of gaming Billy Mitchell and an unknown newcomer Steve Sanders for world champion of Donkey Kong, a game revered by regular classic game circuit players as perhaps the most difficult of the classic games. The crew captures many angles of the involved people's personalities, enough that this feels very narrative at points, which is a marker of good doc. I became involved in the politics of this community, this "unusual and relatively unknown" outlet for proving oneself, and was quite intrigued by the gamers' competitive tactics and somewhat archaic score verification process, which looked easily corruptible by personal bias. At the end of this movie, one feels like you've learned something. Even a seasoned gamer like myself didnt know about "Twin Galaxies" though I had heard of the place they run FunSpot. The "referee" of classic gaming is a very interesting person, quite clearly an artistic word-minded soul interested in a very technical math-centered field, and by finding the balance between the two, he created a new career and a new way of viewing video games. This movie will probably change the way you view video games.

• Curtis L

  
  Boy, some people's lives are way better than mine. And that Billy Mitchell, everything he says is as controversial as the abortion issue. What a douche.

• Christopher M

  
  Boy, do I ever love a good documentary. Which is exactly what I got with The King of Kong and then some. Generally, to make a really good doc you need a really good subject that hasn't been touched on too much. This is what we have. The documentary follows a budding rivalry over… More
  Boy, do I ever love a good documentary. Which is exactly what I got with The King of Kong and then some. Generally, to make a really good doc you need a really good subject that hasn't been touched on too much. This is what we have. The documentary follows a budding rivalry over the top worldwide score record on the classic arcade game Donkey Kong; a record set by Billy Mitchel in the early 80s, who has since went on to became as famous as one can be from such a thing. Set against him is introduced Steve Wiebe - a loving father and husband and everyman who decides to devote himself to beating the record. He is the classic underdog, and the film sets this up so well, the events of the various record attempts and controversy around them unfolding right before us. The viewer should become very involved, rooting for the underdog and booing Mitchell, who essentially becomes the villain of the piece (and with that haircut, it makes sense). The subject matter is simply classic, and surprisingly inspiring, as the film becomes less about the game itself but Wiebe's dream of accomplishing something after a life of failures and half-successes, and the obstacles he faces along the way. It really is a classic story, except that the events and the participants are real, and it happens to involve an arcade game. Entertaining on so many levels, The King of Kong is absolutely a must-see.

• Jason S

  
  This is an excellent doc about a guy just trying to make his mark in the world and he proves that he has what it takes to keep going even when the world is against him. This is a made film and really shows the two main people in an honest light. If a guy comes off looking like a jerk… More
  This is an excellent doc about a guy just trying to make his mark in the world and he proves that he has what it takes to keep going even when the world is against him. This is a made film and really shows the two main people in an honest light. If a guy comes off looking like a jerk then it stands that it's because he is. Just saying. Watch the doc as it's a fun watch and a great underdog story.

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