QUICK REVIEW: THE KING OF KONG (****)

Seth Gordon's fast and funny documentary THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS is as good as the critics said it was. After the first 15 minutes or so, I wondered, where is this movie going? What's going to happen? How will all of this play out? All of those questions answered themselves wonderfully; THE KING OF KONG is both hilarious and oddly moving by its conclusion. The story of an out-of-work husband and father (Steve Wiebe) who faces off (sort of) against the current Donkey Kong champion (Billy Mitchell), THE KING OF KONG is an easy-going little movie that becomes totally thrilling as it plays out. The eccentric, geeky supporting cast of characters are all funny and honest; they're Herzog-lite if you will. I have read that THE KING OF KONG is going to be made into a feature film and I'm not surprised in the slightest; it's an emotional yet silly story that is almost so lunatic that you think these people might be actors. But they're not, and that's where THE KING OF KONG is most fascinating. If I were out of work, the last thing I'd probably think to do would be to sit down infront of an old-school arcade game and obsessively learn how to play Donkey Kong. But Steve Wiebe did. Watching documentaries always reminds you of how there are so many different, unique people out there in the world, and what might seem crazy or strange to you is perfectly normal for others. But you know...if I met someone like Billy Mitchell...I'd want to take him down too. Mitchell is the "villain" of the film and he couldn't be any smarmier. I won't spoil how the movie ends but let's just say that it ends exactly how it should. THE KING OF KONG is smart, funny, entertaining, and plain-old wacky. Even if you're not a video-gamer, this film will make you appreciate what it takes to be the best joy-stick handler in all the land.