Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
In this hilarious arcade showdown, a humble novice goes head-to-head against the reigning Donkey Kong champ in a confrontation that rocks the gaming world to its processors! For over 20 years, Billy Mitchell has owned the throne of the Donkey Kong world. No one could beat his top score until now. Newcomer Steve Wiebe claims to have beaten the unbeatable, but Mitchell isn't ready to relinquish his crown without a fight. Go behind the barrels as the two battle it out in a vicious war to earn the title of the true King of Kong.
The King of Kong is a documentary that plays like a scripted underdog sports thriller, giving it exceptional narrative drive for a non-fiction film. The story of Steve Wiebe vs. Billy Mitchell is perfectly structured, with Mitchell emerging as one of cinema's most compelling natural villains. The plot earns a 4 for how compellingly it unfolds — it's rare for reality to align so perfectly with dramatic convention. Novelty is high because the film carved out a genuinely distinct niche, treating competitive gaming with the gravitas of a heavyweight championship while maintaining a self-aware wit; it became the template for the gamer documentary subgenre. Cinematography is functional but not distinguished — it does the job expected of a low-budget doc. Acting, in the sense of on-screen presence, is strong from Mitchell and Wiebe but uneven across supporting figures. The ending is satisfying emotionally but somewhat deflated by real-world context that complicates the resolution.