High Score is a 2006 documentary that follows Bill Carlton's attempt to break Missile Command's 25 year old high score held by Victor Ali. The Missile Command record is not only one of skill, but endurance and self-loathing. When Ali set his record of 80,364,995, it took an estimated 60 hours. Two and a half days of no pausing, no sleep, and absolute concentration on an Atari arcade game with eye-squaring pixelated resolution.
Upon introduction to Bill Carlton and an interview with Mr. Ali, it becomes obvious why this movie never received the acclaim or notice of The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters despite being released a year earlier. Both men are affable, and live rounded lives. They lack the rivalry, drama, and disdain for one another that made Steve Wiebe the underdog to Billy Mitchell's evil empire with his sycophant minions. Mr. Ali has also long since retired from any sort of competitive gaming, and rather shares his own experience breaking the record while wishing Mr. Carlton well in his endeavor to try and topple his score. To Ali, it's only a fond memory of success; to Carlton, it's a record he wants to beat for himself, not to shove it in the face of any rival.
[http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m239/brabz/?action=view¤t=db-3.gif]
Once a machine has been purchased, the preparation and problems begin. A technician friend of Bill's struggles to prevent the game from resetting during practice marathon sessions, and viewers are given a glimpse into how finicky and tempermental old arcade cabinets can be. Not only is Bill's skill at the game being tested, but the sheer luck of whether the game will continue to run successfully for what Bill estimates 70-80 hours will be required to break the score. After an Easter weekend disappointment at the record attempt, it's clear that sometimes records stand for so long because of quirks of fate.
The movie moves briskly coming in at 52 minutes, but there's never a feeling of being rushed. The small cast of characters are introduced, the story is laid out, and the viewer enjoys a great look into the culture of retro-gaming and the broadly relatable drive for personal achievement. Though it may not have the great rivalry that was enjoyed in King of Kong coupled with wonderful 80's retro music, it's definitely worth a viewing. An added bonus is that the end of the film is one of the more surprising/hilarious moments I can recall in recent memory. It's currently on Hulu for free to view, and it would be a mistake not to take an hour and give it a try.
www.hulu.com/watch/135697/high-score
Upon introduction to Bill Carlton and an interview with Mr. Ali, it becomes obvious why this movie never received the acclaim or notice of The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters despite being released a year earlier. Both men are affable, and live rounded lives. They lack the rivalry, drama, and disdain for one another that made Steve Wiebe the underdog to Billy Mitchell's evil empire with his sycophant minions. Mr. Ali has also long since retired from any sort of competitive gaming, and rather shares his own experience breaking the record while wishing Mr. Carlton well in his endeavor to try and topple his score. To Ali, it's only a fond memory of success; to Carlton, it's a record he wants to beat for himself, not to shove it in the face of any rival.
[http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m239/brabz/?action=view¤t=db-3.gif]
Once a machine has been purchased, the preparation and problems begin. A technician friend of Bill's struggles to prevent the game from resetting during practice marathon sessions, and viewers are given a glimpse into how finicky and tempermental old arcade cabinets can be. Not only is Bill's skill at the game being tested, but the sheer luck of whether the game will continue to run successfully for what Bill estimates 70-80 hours will be required to break the score. After an Easter weekend disappointment at the record attempt, it's clear that sometimes records stand for so long because of quirks of fate.
The movie moves briskly coming in at 52 minutes, but there's never a feeling of being rushed. The small cast of characters are introduced, the story is laid out, and the viewer enjoys a great look into the culture of retro-gaming and the broadly relatable drive for personal achievement. Though it may not have the great rivalry that was enjoyed in King of Kong coupled with wonderful 80's retro music, it's definitely worth a viewing. An added bonus is that the end of the film is one of the more surprising/hilarious moments I can recall in recent memory. It's currently on Hulu for free to view, and it would be a mistake not to take an hour and give it a try.
www.hulu.com/watch/135697/high-score
