Felix's Review

Summary - Great 4.0

Oh it’s on….in Donkey Kong!

What happens when the world record holder of the highest Donkey Kong score is challenged to a duel? Mockumentary gold! In the 1980s, a man named Billy Mitchell achieved the highest Donkey Kong score in the world and gained the fame and stardom a mediocre story of this caliber would receive. Mr. Mitchell basked in the spotlight and reached high scores in other 80s arcade games. He considers these his success stories and uses them to teach others life lessons. No for real, this dude is serious. It seemed Billy Mitchell would forever be the King of Kong. Enter Steve Weibe. A hapless, middle aged, schoolteacher with nothing going for him. When Steve beats the highest Donkey Kong score on his own arcade game at home, it sets off a chain reaction of threats, conspiracy theories, and ultimately….the challenge.

To be honest, I bought this movie with the thought that it was a b movie comedy about a ridiculous competition i.e., Beerfest, Dodgeball, Balls of Fury. When I figured out that it was a documentary and that these people were serious, it was funnier than if it had all been scripted. Billy Mitchell comes off as the perfect nerd bad guy. Think a mix of Joel David Moore in Grandma’s Boy (the douchebag that dresses like Neo from the Matrix) and Ben Stiller in Dodgeball. On the other side you have Steve Wiebe who fits the charming underdog better than anyone that could have been cast.

When the focus of the film is not on our main eventers, the movie showcases some random video game facts, history and it also features interviews with some of the strangest people you could meet. The best part of the movie is just the amazing sequence the events play out. Whatever you, don’t miss the ending.

King of Kong is not filled with amazing one liners or jokes you’ll be saying for weeks after viewing but it is a fun 79 minutes to sit back and realize that no matter how pathetic you may think you are, at least you’re not like these people. Check it out or Game over!

Acting - OK 2.5

I’m sure some if this had to be scripted because there is no way these people can truly act and behave like this in the real world. Some of these people are so over the top that they blow away any film stereotype. Like the sniveling baddie’s henchman to the paranoid long time rival of the main villain. The characters are as priceless as the story.

Film - OK 2.5

Like any documentary, the budget is low but who needs a high production value when making a documentary?

Edge - Tame 1.0

Reality - Natural 1.0

2 Comments

• Felix Aug 29, 2015 5:58PM

  Thank you Brian! Hope you enjoy all the 8-bit quirkiness.

• BrianSez Aug 27, 2015 7:05AM

  Regarding Felix’s Review
  Great review Felix! I’m now looking forward to this movie!

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