Review: King of Kong (2007)
Today has been a lazy day in Berkeley for me. Drove into town and ended up parking across from my sister's old place. Her old block is the best kept secret in Berkeley for having the only non-permit parking zone. It's a bit of a walk into town, but well worth the free parking. THat and I need the exercise.
I drove in to see The King of Kong (2007). Now, I'm going to tell you how wonderful this documentary movie is, but not for the reason that it's about classic arcade games. I'm going to tell you this is a wonderful documentary move because of Seth Gordon's ability to take the culture of classic arcade sports and tell a story that anyone can enjoy.
In 1984, Billy Mitchell took the record in Donkey Kong and went undefeated until Steve Wiebe submitted a video tape to Twin Galaxies breaking this record.
Sounds like a nerd fest right? What makes this film great is that watching the film doesn't make it a nerd fest. Seriously, that's skill and talent. I think it helps that the three major characters, Bill, Steve, and Walter Day (founder of Twin Galaxies) don't come off as the stereotype.
In all, the movie feels like dramatic fiction than a documentary. Partly because it's shot well and partly with the influx of fiction documentary cinematography, but the story line itself is something you could see in a hollywood film with Vince Vaughn against Allen Rickman. But because this story actually did unfold before the filmmaker's lens, the moments that occur on the film are simply palpable to anyone.
The climax is when Bill, who had been avoiding attending an official tournament ten miles away from his home, shows up to the competition on the last night. I'm skipping a lot of context, but he enters when the camera operator is filming Steve working on the record and Billy enters in the arcade and in frame. It's a moment in filmmaking that doesn't really happen often. How it was handled and the aftermath really sold the movie for me.
Also, there's a moment in editing that really made me tip my hat off to the editors. After setting up the main cast of characters, the film starts to explain Steve's training in becoming a record breaker and explaining the mechanics of Donkey Kong. A montage sequence between Walter Day talking the dexterity needed for the game, Steve writing on the screen's window to plot out the elevators Kong throws, Steve playing his son's drum set, and a few other things start. Using the white chalk lines Steve draws, the editing starts to tie in these things and more into white lines to put order in the otherwise chaotic sequence. I'd have to watch it again in order to get the full description, but I have never seen a better use of a montage ever. Considering I went to film school, I would hope the gravity of the statement bares some weight.
I know I'm not in the habit of recommending movies, but go see this movie. While all of you gamers out there are required to view this movie, I recommend it to anyone one as it truly has a mass-market appeal.
It's a limited run so it's a bit hard to find. Also, the movie's length is just right and clocking in at 79 minuets. Note that the movie continues through the ending credits and ends when you see the MPAA blue-screen.
I drove in to see The King of Kong (2007). Now, I'm going to tell you how wonderful this documentary movie is, but not for the reason that it's about classic arcade games. I'm going to tell you this is a wonderful documentary move because of Seth Gordon's ability to take the culture of classic arcade sports and tell a story that anyone can enjoy.
In 1984, Billy Mitchell took the record in Donkey Kong and went undefeated until Steve Wiebe submitted a video tape to Twin Galaxies breaking this record.
Sounds like a nerd fest right? What makes this film great is that watching the film doesn't make it a nerd fest. Seriously, that's skill and talent. I think it helps that the three major characters, Bill, Steve, and Walter Day (founder of Twin Galaxies) don't come off as the stereotype.
In all, the movie feels like dramatic fiction than a documentary. Partly because it's shot well and partly with the influx of fiction documentary cinematography, but the story line itself is something you could see in a hollywood film with Vince Vaughn against Allen Rickman. But because this story actually did unfold before the filmmaker's lens, the moments that occur on the film are simply palpable to anyone.
The climax is when Bill, who had been avoiding attending an official tournament ten miles away from his home, shows up to the competition on the last night. I'm skipping a lot of context, but he enters when the camera operator is filming Steve working on the record and Billy enters in the arcade and in frame. It's a moment in filmmaking that doesn't really happen often. How it was handled and the aftermath really sold the movie for me.
Also, there's a moment in editing that really made me tip my hat off to the editors. After setting up the main cast of characters, the film starts to explain Steve's training in becoming a record breaker and explaining the mechanics of Donkey Kong. A montage sequence between Walter Day talking the dexterity needed for the game, Steve writing on the screen's window to plot out the elevators Kong throws, Steve playing his son's drum set, and a few other things start. Using the white chalk lines Steve draws, the editing starts to tie in these things and more into white lines to put order in the otherwise chaotic sequence. I'd have to watch it again in order to get the full description, but I have never seen a better use of a montage ever. Considering I went to film school, I would hope the gravity of the statement bares some weight.
I know I'm not in the habit of recommending movies, but go see this movie. While all of you gamers out there are required to view this movie, I recommend it to anyone one as it truly has a mass-market appeal.
It's a limited run so it's a bit hard to find. Also, the movie's length is just right and clocking in at 79 minuets. Note that the movie continues through the ending credits and ends when you see the MPAA blue-screen.