‘Man vs. Snake’ a great story in unusual venue

The film’s primary focus is the unfortunately-named video game player Tim McVey. In 1983, McVey became the first person to score a billion points on a video game using only one quarter – specifically on Nibbler, a game in which the player maneuvers an ever-growing snake around the screen without crossing the snake’s own tail. McVey’s accomplishment was notable because unlike earning a high score in Donkey Kong or Pac-Man, to get a billion points in Nibbler, the player must play continuously for the better part of two days.

More than 20 years later, McVey learns that an Italian video game player may have beaten his high score in 1984 and vows to take it back. As he trains for another marathon session of Nibbler, new challengers emerge, including Dwayne Richard, “the bad boy” of retro video gaming. Viewers learn the life stories of McVey and the other gamers – tales of dedication, cheating and honor.

Much like the great 2007 video game documentary “The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters,” “Man vs. Snake” perfectly captures the competitive spirit of each player while building drama, even for those of us who’ve never spent a quarter on Nibbler. A fascinating and emotionally-resonant underdog story, McVey’s quest should appeal to anyone who has ever struggled to achieve his or her dreams.

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Nick Gonzales is one of The Durango Herald newsroom’s resident film buffs. He welcomes movie recommendations. Follow him on Twitter @lackingzones.