The characters and events that unfold in the documentary "King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters" are so off the wall that it is hard to believe it's a documentary. Luckily there's Google for that sort of thing.
Director Seth Gordon takes a very neutral stance while portraying a subculture, that to mainstream society at least, is a little unusual. Rather, he lets people speak for themselves and ends up with a cast of characters and a setup as awkwardly funny as any Christopher Guest film.
Steve Wiebe is a guy who even his own wife described as somewhat of a loser at life. The documentary follows Steve as he tries to earn the world's highest score in Donkey Kong. As it turns out, there is a lot more to the title than just playing the game, and Wiebe is thrust into a world that is more than a little bizarre.
Billy Mitchell is the reigning Donkey Kong champion, a title he has held since 1982. It is obvious that Mitchell is stuck in the 1980s from his hair to his attitude; he is a stagnant monument to his former self. As the story progresses Mitchell becomes an almost stereotypical villain, doing everything in his power to hold on to his record.
The plot to keep Wiebe from the title eventually becomes somewhat of a conspiracy with Mitchell at its head. There are some remarkably candid scenes that show just what a scoundrel he truly is. These scenes are hilarious, because they constantly catch Mitchell in hypocritical situations that are so ironic they seemed staged.
Other memorable characters include Walter Day, head of Twin Galaxies, the organization that keeps track of high scores on classic games. Day practices transcendental meditation and wails on the guitar in his free time. Twin Galaxies is home to a more eccentric group of people than can be found in any mocumentary. Classic gamers come in all shapes and sizes, and "King of Kong" shows them all in their often-hilarious glory.
Gordon's knack for catching especially ironic or awkwardly hilarious moments on film combines with this extremely eccentric cast in such a way that it proves that real life can be funnier than any script. It would be hard to script moments like when Wiebe's daughter innocently asks why some people ruin their lives chasing world records, while the family is on their way to watch Wiebe do just that.
The soundtrack captures the subtly humorous tone and manages to be appropriate and irreverent at the same time. Few films can get away with playing a song by The Cure without seeming incredibly cheesy, but in "King of Kong" it just seems right.
At its heart, "King of Kong" tells the story of one man's quest for greatness in a world that is as unique as it is cutthroat. Gordon manages to capture the essence of the classic gaming subculture, showing it in a way that displays its inherent humor while never being condescending.
Reach the reporter at: "mailto:zachary.richter@asu.edu">zachary.richter@asu.edu.
