Gaming discourse’s advocation insightfully backed up with a bigger meaning as Seth Gordon saw the very idea complicated in a stubborn rivalry, favorably engages like an underdog story with genuinely perfect capture of both players’ complexities between obsession and passion with integrity. Like watching a live game, under any interest that only this documented craft evoked, it hooks us to observingly weigh in our own conclusions from analyzing both the integral play on screen and the rooted acknowledgement that goes with it. (B+)

as crazy and silly as it is its a smart documentary commenting on gamers and their love of scoring high game points making it to the top isnt as easy as it is no matter what the arena theres plenty of discrepency among Mitchell, Wiebe and other champions of Donkey Kong and it goes to show that keeping your title means as much as the next person its funny, thought-provoking and insightful good guys and bad guys come face-to-face arcade style!

A light-hearted ride with the pleasure of seeing our protagonist succeed against his own giants and the odds of his competitors.

"King of Kong" takes us on a wild and nostalgic journey into the world of competitive arcade gaming. This documentary captures the thrilling pursuit of the world record high score in Donkey Kong, a classic 1981 arcade game that captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. While not a flawless masterpiece, "King of Kong" manages to strike a chord with both gaming enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. The film centers around two main characters: Steve Wiebe, a down-to-earth family man with a passion for gaming, and Billy Mitchell, the reigning Donkey Kong champion known for his larger-than-life personality. The contrasting personalities of these two rivals create an engaging dynamic that keeps you hooked from start to finish. One of the film's greatest strengths lies in its ability to capture the intense emotions and sheer dedication of the gamers involved. As we watch Steve Wiebe pour his heart and soul into achieving the high score, we can't help but root for the underdog. The sense of suspense builds with each attempt, leaving you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating the outcome. In conclusion, "King of Kong" offers a tantalizing glimpse into the world of competitive gaming, pitting two unforgettable characters against each other in an epic battle for the high score. While it may not reach the pinnacle of documentary filmmaking, it is an enjoyable ride that will leave you feeling nostalgic and perhaps even inspired to pick up that dusty old arcade joystick and chase your own gaming dreams.

Who would of thought the true life story two guys playing Donkey Kong could turn into such a compelling doco. Villians, heroes, nerds and bad fashion come together for this little gem

One of the best docs of all time. This was such an engaging ride to go on with hard-to-believe but very real circumstances with really big stakes for all the major players.

A documentary with a story and people that feel right out of a movie. The King of Kong is a very entertaining documentary that is funny and has compelling themes on obsession and competitiveness not only in gaming, but in real life.

It's simply my favorite underdog story. My favorite sports movie. And my favorite nerd-culture documentary.

I find the typical documentary to be a bit dry and clinical. Thankfully, The King of Kong is not your typical documentary. I was predisposed to enjoy this film because I am a fan of classic arcade games, and I can appreciate the difficulty of becoming truly great at them. However, I think this film transcends its subject matter and could fascinate even those with nothing more than a passing knowledge of Donkey Kong. It starts as a relatively run-of-the-mill documentary that sets up the world of competitive classic video gaming. From this opening, it is easy to like Billy Mitchell and see him as a noble ambassador for the hobby/obsession, even if he is a bit prideful in his accomplishments. It also appears that this could be a fairly balanced look at many people who participate in classic arcade gaming, and we’ll discuss the tracking and breaking of records (thanks to the Twin Galaxies website) on such games as Pac-Man or Joust in addition to Donkey Kong. But King of Kong turns on a dime the moment we meet Steve Wiebe. As Seth Gordon (the director) starts to discover the real story, we focus in almost entirely on the battle for Donkey Kong supremacy. The film does an amazing job of cobbling together interviews in order to explain to us exactly what it takes to be successful at this game, and why it is a difficult task. As we learn more about the challenge, we get to know Steve Wiebe more and find that he is a truly likeable guy, and the kind of person you’d love to see come out on top. What ensues from that point on is one of the most engaging struggles of good vs. evil ever captured on film. This is real life, and yet I felt like I was watching a clash of hero and villain on the same level as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. And somehow, through smart filmmaking and brilliant editing, I was as thrilled watching a man sitting and playing with a joystick as I am when watching a lightsaber duel. This film had me on the edge of my seat, and took me through so many twists and turns that I could not get enough. I feel like I could have just watched the entire 2-3 hours of Wiebe playing one of his best games in the middle of the film without losing a bit of interest. I even ran to the internet to see what has happened since this film came out. If I were forced to find a complaint about The King of Kong, I’d probably say that some of the little detours they take into Walter Day’s personal life feel pointless and out of place, but a quibble like that did little to dampen the pure joy I experienced while watching this film. It’s one that I came close to starting all over again and watching twice back-to-back, which is truly astounding from a documentary. I loved it and give it my highest recommendation. Even for those who would normally balk at watching a documentary or don’t care at all about video games, it is worth giving this movie a try, because it is truly amazing.

This film was great.

A delightful look into professional gaming which now feels like a beloved relic in our post-internet culture. Full of charm, brilliant characters, and a plot which happily sits alongside some of the best fictional underdog tales out there.

Well before Twitch and Pewdiepie, this delightful doc demonstrated the joys(tick) of watching nerds play arcade games-entertaining not because of the button mashing, but due to the interpersonal dynamics and pissing contests. The result is a far more involving game of Donkey Kong, with a more laughable villain than the ordinary ape, and a more heroic joe than the super plumber.

Steve Wiebe May have not won, but he was the better man than the egotistic Billy Mitchell

Absolutely hilarious!

"There's a Donkey Kong Kill Screen coming up if anyone wants to watch."

"One of the greatest rivalries of all time," Billy Mitchell and Steve Wiebe duke it out to see who is the King of Kong in this extraordinarily fun and entertaining documentary. Exploring the world of competitive classic arcade gaming (Pac-Man, Centipede, Q*bert, Donkey Kong) the film looks at the rise of arcade gaming in the 1980s and the quest of middle school teacher Steve Wiebe to become the high score champion of Donkey Kong and gain the respect of his fellow gamers. A number of players and their families, along with Twin Galaxies officials (who regulate gameplay and determine the veracity of scores), are interviewed; giving a real inside look at the gaming community. And while the film has a bit of a comedic edge, on the whole it shows respect for the dedication and skill required to be an accomplished arcade player. Lighthearted and inspirational, King of Kong is a captivating documentary about pursing one's passion and overcoming adversity.

Who would know a documentary about the rivalry of two everyday men competing to be the world champion of Donkey Kong can be such an action-packed joyride into the little known competitive arena of arcade games?

Billy is a scared bïtch. Annoying jerk brings the film down

A film that shows that even outcasts can create outcasts if they don't fit the mold. Good vs. Evil in what would be one of the best sports docs of all time if it was about an actual sport.

One of the more interesting documentaries you'll ever see, "The King of Kong" delves into the subculture of competitive retro video gaming. Science teacher Steve Wiebe fills the shoes of the lovable underdog, trying to dethrone longtime record holder Billy Mitchell for the top score in Donkey Kong. The film brings many colorful personalities to light; it certainly does no favors for Billy Mitchell, who comes off as woefully insecure about his video game records, despite his successes in the food industry.