Film - Air Guitar Nation

The other day I watched the documentary from 2007 "Air Guitar Nation." This film chronicles the journeys of the first ever North American air guitar competition, and follows our country's representatives to the international championship in Finland. Although enjoyable and fun, I am only luke-warm in my reception towards this movie. In terms of documentaries introducing viewers to a highly competitive weirdo world we never knew existed, I kept wanting this film to become as engrossing as the vastly superior "King of Kong." Read on for a further discussion and comparison...




"Air Guitar Nation" showcases performers who dress-up outrageously and create rocker personas full of moxie. They and the judges are in on the joke of a rock-and-roll competition where no one has an instrument. However, for a while there seems like there could be a division amongst competitors between those who see air guitar as an art-form and those who see it as sort of a comedy platform. The end result is that everyone appreciates what everyone else is doing, and everyone is having a good time.

"King of Kong," on the other hand, was gripping. There was scheming, there were villains, there was heartbreak.

Although I definitely wouldn't discourage you from watching "Air Guitar Nation," my hope is that you will use the film as a mere amuse bouche before watching the very fulfilling meal that is "King of Kong." If you've already seen "Kong," maybe this little snack of "Air Guitar Nation" will leave a slightly bitter taste.

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