X
- 2007
- PG-13
- Picturehouse
- 1 h 19 m
- 2007
- PG-13
- Picturehouse
- 1 h 19 m
Summary A middle-school science teacher and a hot sauce mogul vie for the Guinness World Record on the arcade classic, Donkey Kong. (Picturehouse Entertainment)
Directed By: Seth Gordon
Written By: Seth Gordon
- 2007
- PG-13
- Picturehouse
- 1 h 19 m
- 2007
- PG-13
- Picturehouse
- 1 h 19 m
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
7.4
Where to Watch
Summary A middle-school science teacher and a hot sauce mogul vie for the Guinness World Record on the arcade classic, Donkey Kong. (Picturehouse Entertainment)
Directed By: Seth Gordon
Written By: Seth Gordon
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
83
96% Positive
22 Reviews
22 Reviews
4% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
83
96% Positive
22 Reviews
22 Reviews
4% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Gordon's documentary proves better than 90 percent of the manufactured stories out this summer. One can breathe a sigh of relief that it was done right and not cobbled into another bad fictional comedy.
This film about fierce competition among classic video-game players is a comic action epic in documentary form. It captures fear -- and heroism -- in a handful of dusty video games.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 63 User Ratings
7.4
79% Positive
50 Ratings
50 Ratings
5% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
16% Negative
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 63 User Ratings
7.4
79% Positive
50 Ratings
50 Ratings
5% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
16% Negative
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
"King of Kong - A **** of Quarters" - One Line Review!
The one word review would be amazing, but even if you aren't into video games, this documentary is incredible - There's some controversy after the making of it, but it's so funny and so good - Everyone should check it out. Available on Netflix' instant queue!
****/m/king_of_kong/
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If you can shift your reality to believe that video games are the way of life and success, then "King of Kong" may be the most important movie ever made. If you can't, then it is just one of the most entertainingly weird cinematic experiences to ever be documented.
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A portrait of two different men whose compulsion for Donkey Kong is hilarious.
One of this year's funniest movies -- and its most inspirational sports drama -- is a documentary.
It may seem overblown when one of the gamers calls Donkey Kong a metaphor for life, but The King of Kong is just that -- a reminder of how we all have to prove ourselves to others, and the extent to which the odds are often stacked against outsiders and newcomers.
As impressive as it is geeky. Most of the principal characters look like they haven't seen daylight since "Pac-Man Fever" was on the charts.
It's a depressing little kingdom, even when Gordon tries desperately to goose the drama with the requisite "Eye of the Tiger" riffs and some junior high-level palace intrigue.
The King of Kong is an excellent documentary. It portrays an engaging story and the director should be praised for how well the audience is positioned during the movie. Many great scenes, and wholly recommended.
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This movie could of easily have been a mockumentary with the extreme characters involved. However, it isn't, this is real life complete with Heroes, Geeks and Villains. Despite Billy Mitchell being the villain, it is really him who makes it such a compelling movie. His extreme personality and egotistical drive make this as much an emotional journey as a geeky, game playing journey. Don't be put off by the subject matter, it is so much more than that.
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The King of Kong follows Steve Wiebe's attempt to beat the Donkey Kong world record held by the famous (in arcade gaming circles) Billy Mitchell, a record held since 1982 that many thought would never be beaten.
Unfortunately for Wiebe simply beating Mitchells score is not enough. The established arcade hierarchy aren't happy with an outsider beating their 'hero' Mitchell. What transpires is an underdog story to rival the best Hollywood has offered in recent years as Wiebe tries to prove himself to the arcade elite.
By the end it becomes impossible not to want Wiebe to succeed (partly because Mitchell is so smug), ignore the subject matter this is simply a great real life story.
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Production Company
LargeLab
Release Date Aug 17, 2007
Duration 1 h 19 m
Rating PG-13
Genres
Tagline Don't get chumpatized.
Awards
Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Awards
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Utah Film Critics Association Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
