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AICN Games' Monki Reviews The KING OF KONG DVD!!
Greetings humans, Monki here with a look at the newly released DVD version of The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters!
I caught this film back at South by Southwest and called it "...a perfect documentary," and I will still gladly stand by that statement. This was by far my favorite doc of 2007 and possibly the decade. Billy Mitchell and Steve Wiebe's battle is so classic, I honestly can't imagine the way they plan on remaking this piece as a narrative. I mean, how can you improve on something so excellent?
For those of you who have heard nothing about this wonderful film, it chronicles the battle for the title of World Champion at Donkey Kong. Two men fight a battle for the ages going back and forth over the world-record high score on this classic. What ensues is a perfect mixture of narcissism, honesty, lies, alliances and arcades.
The feature film is presented in beautiful quality on the DVD. Everything you'd expect out of a film made here in the past year or so. The bonus features on the disc are what really make it stand out though.
Commentaries
I love me some good audio commentaries. I've listened to tons of them from what is perhaps the best commentary ever (the drunken commentary on Cannibal! The Musical) to some of the worst (R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet). The commentaries on King of Kong are an excellent addition.
The first commentary is with director Seth Gordon, producer Ed Cunningham and associate producers Luis Lopez and J. Clay Tweel. The majority of the dialog is between Gordon and Cunningham talking about their story behind the making of the movie. And their stories are fantastic. This is about as great a commentary as you can ask for.
There isn't a lot of ego stroking being done here, in fact most of the commentary goes in to detail about how they stumbled into this story and they lucked into some excellent filming opportunities. There are some insanely awesome nuggets of story dropped in the commentary; for example, the tape that Billy gives to Doris Self, the elderly Q-Bert player, in the airport...well, everyone assumes by the movie that the tape she had was Billy's million point Kong score, well in reality it was a tape of WWF. Of course, who would have ever imagined a mullet like that would be a wrastlin' fan.
It is totally worth it to watch the movie over again with this commentary, give it a shot.
The second commentary comes from Jon M. Gibson, the founder of i am 8-bit, and Chris Carle, the Entertainment Editorial Director for IGN.
In interest of full disclosure, Jon Gibson and I are the ones responsible for The Wizard reunion at the Alamo Drafthouse next week. For what it's worth, Gibson's other project, NERDCORE is sponsoring this insanely awesome event.
The commentary between Carle and Gibson is very different and I'm sure some people won't like it. To me it's a lot like sitting in a room with two of my buddies that happen to know a lot about the subject matter at hand, but don't have direct involvement with the piece.
Wikipedia is quoted here quite often as Gibson rattles off the 9 signs of narcissism and how Billy Mitchell meets every single one to a T. These guys are true fans of the source material but they don't mind poking fun at the film when it needs to be poked.
I like the idea behind this commentary a lot...its interesting to get a perspective on a film from someone who didn't have their hand in making the film. I remember a commentary from Roger Ebert on one of the King Kong DVDs...same idea there. Really, any way to pack more stuff on to a DVD is a good idea in my book.
Bonus Materials
The bonus materials on this disc are fantastic as well. There is an absolute wealth of material here.
There is a slew of bonus footage including some festival Q&A stuff, extended interviews with damn near everyone involved in the project. A great piece on Billy Mitchell's hair stylings, music from Steve Wiebe and MORE FOOTAGE OF MR. AWESOME!!
There is a cool feature showing off art inspired by Donkey Kong that was collected by i am 8-bit and set to some kick-ass tunes. It'd be perfect to set up on a TV for a retro 80s themed party. (No, I've never held a retro-themed 80s party.)
There is an update entitled "The Saga Continues" that picks up some story where the movie leaves off. It goes on to explain the current state of the high score on Donkey Kong and the attempts that have been made to reclaim it. (I won't spoil that for you.)
A Really, Really Brief History of Donkey Kong is just that. A quick bite-sized animated history of Donkey Kong that would have fit in perfectly with the documentary to explain a bit more history behind the game itself.
There is so much more here including a glossary of commonly used arcade terms and an excellent side-by-side comparison of how Wiebe and Mitchell play Donkey Kong differently.
Final Thoughts
If you call yourself a fan of documentaries, you need to own this DVD. If you are a fan of classic video games, make this the one DVD you buy this year. It is seriously great. I couldn't have asked for more on a single disc.
Oh, and the menus are all done as if it was a video game! How freakin' fantastic is that? (Check the small details too, like the head reflection in the glass.)
So, what else can I say aside from BUY THIS DISC and support this excellent film that was completely snubbed by the Oscars.
That's all I have for you now! Until next time, back up the tree I go!
-Monki
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good stuff, im still yet to see it as im not sure what its release status was here in australia, but will pick it up for sure on dvd. to tell the truth i was already looking forward to it, but now i cant wait.
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does that mean anything?!?
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This would get in at #10, kicking out THE MIST. What a terrific film.
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Jan 29, 2008 8:28:23 AM CST
my 2nd favorite film all year...right behind The Signal
by hitchcock'n'balz
This Doc. is the epitome of the genre...i pick mine up today!
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Anyone know anything about the UK release? Can't find any sign of it theatrically or on dvd.
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Were they playing Donkey Kong on an XBOX??
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Seen it 5 times! Plan on buying the DVD. Great review Monki
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I saw this movie at SIFF last year and I agreed, this movie was one of the most engaging documentaries around. I didn't get me into twin galaxies or classic gaming, but I thought this film could do no wrong. Upon the recent release of the dvd, my interest in the story got me into reading about the Weibe vs. Mitchell rivalry. I'm not sure what people think about the postings that Walter Day has put up on twin galaxies about the inaccuracies of the film, but I have to admit that I feel a little manipulated by 'Kong.' I still think the film is great, but it makes me feel like I've been duped into believing and investing myself into a story that's not all entirely true. I don't think this means Mitchell is the nicest guy in the world, but I feel Weibe has kept his mouth shut about the whole thing. Any thoughts?
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Awhile back, it talked about how they made it a good vs. evil kind of thing, when clearly both were "good". Looks to be alright though.
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Idiot.
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........after I did an interview with him. It was pretty good stuff.
If anyone wants, I can post up a link to the interview. I'm relatively new on here so I don't really know the rules about promoting your own sites on talkbacks here, so I'll just wait until someone else requests it, lol. It's an interesting interview though, he talks a little about why he feels he was misrepresented in the movie, and more importantly, why he chooses to stick with the mullet. -
The guy from King of Kong isnt there at number one anymore. This whole movie is redundant.
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Is what you should listen to, Weird Al's great parody of the worst fucking song in history.
First time I heard the real song and saw the first video I thought it was a joke. Didn't think anyone would make anything that bad, then I saw it was the pedophile known as R. Kelly! But then it also gave South Park one of their best episodes ever! Tom Cruise and John Travolta are Trapped In The Closet too....:) -
Loved KING OF KONG. Loved it. It managed to combine the poignancy of a more winsome NPR-essay with something that the 10 year-old nerd inside could relate to. Plus, there was justice at stake, man!
But Wongertron is right. After reading his post, I did some Googling and found this: http://tinyurl.com/26e2f4
So basically, the movie was 90 minutes of "Billy Mitchell is an asshole." And he might not be such an asshole. I know that when it comes to documentaries, there's an element of "Buyer Beware" involved, but come on.
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But everyone knows that Ms. Pacman is the greatest video game every made.
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because no matter how he feels he's misrepresented in the doc, there's no getting around the assholish things he said to Wiebe right behind his back as he was playing. My jury's out - he's a douche.
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As a fan of both documentaries and videogames, this film has been among my most anticipated all year. Unfortunately, the film never screened anywhere close so I've been waiting for the DVD release. Sounds like good, good stuff.
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or Jersey guy?
North Florida ape drape? -
Again, I hate defacing this movie but here are a couple of points that are still sticking with me:
1. Apparently Wiebe was the record holder for almost 3 yrs, which did not seem to be conveyed in the film.
2. Mitchell and Wiebe attended CGE2k4 together and there are pictures to prove it and they 'seem' cordial w/ each other.
3. Wiebe seems like a class guy, but his comments on a vh1 article about Mitchel: 'I don't think he's an evil person. I don't necessarily think I'm a saint or anything ... but the way things played out, we kind of fell into those roles.' I don't want to take this out of context but it seems to me like he's content w/ the way things played out.
4. The infamous break in that got my blood (and probably everyone else's) boiling: Apparently this was a friendlier encounter than it was portrayed, in fact someone has picture evidence of Wiebe playing a friendly game.
This probably sounds like a Mitchell follower trying to defend him, but I feel a little disappointed that the doc I fell in love with seems to be omitting a lot of info. -
He was a total douche; narcissistic/arrogant. His avoidance of the competition because he didn't want to lose was very transparent. What a jerk.
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my opinions after finally nabbing the film later today. I've read various articles and statements claiming that Mitchell was unfairly villified and many of them have cited the same points you bring up so I'm interested to evaluate the actual film. Given what documentary filmmaking has become post Michael Moore, duplicity by the filmmakers is possible which is a shame.
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is the best sports movie ever.
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hope it comes to Germany!
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Faints.
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As a gamer myself, I was listening to the 1up podcast that talked about the aftermath of the film and talked with the referee of Twin Galaxies and such. As much as Billy Mitchell is villified and afterwards defended in some interviews and articles, I don't feel like King of Kong had LIED to us or even "left things out" because it talked about a story that was engaging.
The interesting thing is that upon learning of this new information, I just find it all the more fun and engaging. To know that Mitchell actually go together with Wiebe at one point to play a game together and to show the better side of Mitchell because in the end it progresses the ideals and personality of a gamer even FURTHER than just being some kinda of delinquint to society equivalent to pedophiles on To Catch A Predator. I find hearing about this new information makes the gamer even more well rounded and more forgiving than most of the douchebags that we've encountered on the net...or think we've encountered on the net.
So in the end, don't feel bad for Mitchell because really, there were some things he did in the film that were grade A assholery that no amount of "good sportsmanship" could erase. While some facts might have been omitted, it certainly doesn't make the facts presented any less true. -
It's been ages since the last column.
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Jan 29, 2008 5:37:38 PM CST
If it doesnt come with a playable version of the game, no sale
by alfred_packer
That would use up maybe, what, 5mb of space on the disk for a emulator and the orginal game code? That would contribute a lot to its chances of being in the player more often after the 1st viewing.
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Where I go to pick it up at the store and the one copy they got in was sold this morning? Those bastards better stock this.
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But was horrified to see that these grown men have never advanced their gamesplaying beyond the early 80's,thats sick and they are all timewarped and therefore doomed ;).The stand out character for me was the toady who phones Billy to tell him the outsider is about to break his record,was he for real?.The fact that Billy had a back up video tape showed how petty he was.The guys at the arcade were running a Donkey Kong cartel maaaan,mind you Wiebe should of seen the writing on the wall when his kid wanted his bottom wiped(I felt your pain kid)just as he was to beat the record and laughed the whole thing off,kissed his wife and got some fresh air.Entertaining film though and a warning to all of us,keep your perspective and always keep advancing.
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KONG KONG!!!! sequel time. KONG!!!
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im currently downloading this documentary at super-sweet speed.. hope it is as good as they say!
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but competetive gaming, when you wanna attach your name to a world-record, when you want your name written into history, you have to pay the price!
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I was rooting for Billy. I don't really see where he was being such a bad guy. Maybe a bit strange, but not the asshole that they paint him to be throughout most of the running time. I really enjoyed this documentary. Now I'd love to see a really detailed, high quality history of the video games business in general, going back to Ralph Baer.
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The fact that Mitchell is currently #1 and Wiebe is #2 on Twin Galaxies doesn't make the film redundant... it just means that life continues onward.Is "Super Size Me" redundant now because McDonald's no longer offers supersized combo meals?Is "Nanook of the North" redundant because everyone in that documentary has been dead for probably 50+ years?No, of course not. Just because a documentary chronicles a specific event during a set period of time doesn't mean that the facts therein can't ever change!!
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Anybody see this at Sundance. Not at all related to King of Kong, but still an excellent flick!
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just bought the movie, watched it, loved it. then i did more research and i really do feel the movie was deceptive. steve was the record holder during the whole movie, and he didnt even beat billy to get the title. he beat a guy named tim who beat billy back in 2001. the (friendly) rivalry between billy and steve was who could be the first to beat 1 million on donkey kong. both had video tapes of them doing it, and both tapes were eventually considered not usable. (the doc shows them accepting billy's which seemed very unfair, but they retracted it 2 days later. it makes them look bad for accepting it so fast, but they had worked with billy for 20 years, so they had no reason to doubt them. another thing that made twingalxies look bad was how they played billy DK tape while steve was playing DK live. but the whole event was being promoted as two DK masters going for the title. thats why bother were being played at the same time. even so, twin galaxies admitted they probably shouldn't have played them at the same time because it took attention away from steve who was actually there. honest mistake, they apologized for it. the full letter and steve's reply can be found on twin galaxies site.) the real reason billy started snubbing steve was because steve started being friendly with 'mr awesome' who billy hated. (the reasons for that arent really stated, but you can probably figure out a few reasons why by just watching the film.) the doc makes it look like billy walks into the arcade and sees steve for the first time and says 'there are some people id rather associate with.' when in reality they used to meet up for conventions already. saying that because of steve hanging out with 'mr awesome' might have been a bit immature, but not the evil gesture the doc made it seem to be. there are plenty of videos and audio of steve and billy being together before they even starting shooting this doc. which kind of makes steve the asshole for going along with how the story was presented after the fact. if you watch the Q&As on the DVD from the movie premieres someone asks steve "where is billy?" and his answer is, "well, as you can see in the movie we had a falling out." no, actually the movie makes it look like you two never really met. a 'falling out' means, you were friends, and now you're not. it kind of gives things away. that being said, this DVD is SO worth it. if not for the actually movie (which is pretty entertaining. decpetion or not) then for the interviews in the extras with the other titles.. each one of them is more entertaining than the next. i kind of wish the doc was more about them as they originally set out to do, but then it probably wouldnt have been as succesful as it was. and to site my sources go to twingalaxies.com. these people take their gaming records and integrity SERIOUSLY, and i doubt they would lie about any of this... plus all that photo/video/audio proof they have.
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