Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		2.5

Joysticks Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman April 29, 2024

Producer - director Greydon Clark is probably understandably proud of his "little" film Joysticks having taken the top spot in box office receipts the first week of its release, at least according to an anecdote that Clark shares in almost the exact same words in both his commentary and what looks like an archival interview supplement. Clark also repeats another anecdote in both "venues" talking about how going to a screening of his film Wacko in San Antonio introduced him to what Clark perhaps inaccurately refers to as a "new" technology, the arcade videogame. One way or the other, seeing a bunch of teens lined up to play whatever this particular theater lobby had sparked a raised eyebrow in Clark, not just for the "newfangled" angle, but also the fact that there was a built in demographic who would hopefully rush to buy tickets (and they obviously did, if Clark's assertion about Joysticks' opening week performance is accurate.

Joysticks had a prior release on Blu-ray in 2015 courtesy of Scorpion Releasing presented as an exclusive on the Screen Archives Entertainment site, and Brian Orndorf's Joysticks Blu-ray review provides some plot information as well as an opportunity for those interested to compare screenshots and see how supplements between the releases stack up.

Joysticks Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Joysticks is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of MVD Visual's MVD Rewind imprint with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. As disclosed in the supplements section below, I don't have this release's packaging due to my own idiocy, and so am not privy to any information on the cover, but MVD's website states this was culled from a "2K scan and restoration in (in 2015) from 35mm film elements". My hunch is since the older Blu-ray came out in late 2015 it most likely was sourced from this scan, and in fact at times (and judging solely by screenshots which I know has built in limitations), this transfer looks pretty darned similar to the older one (look at the second screenshot in both reviews for an example). That said, there are other moments where some distinct differences can be noted. It looks to me like this release can be substantially grainier than the older one, and there are definitely some splotchy moments throughout this presentation. Color temperatures can also be just slightly different at times (contrast the first screenshot in each review for an example). As I've stated ad infinitum, different reviewers means different opinions, and I frankly may not have given the older Joysticks a 4.0, so my score here shouldn't be interpreted as a comparison, especially since I don't have the older release in my collection to do a side by side comparison with rather than just relying on screenshots.

Joysticks Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Brian evidently wasn't too enthused about the audio on the older Screen Archives exclusive release. This version of Joysticks features LPCM 2.0 Mono audio in a sometimes raucous sound design which can occasionally come across as a bit muddled, if only because there's so much sound and fury signifying not much else than rowdy videogame enthusiasts going for an all time high score. That said, levels are mixed overall to levels where nothing significant is lost. There is the requisite assortment of rock tunes courtesy of an aggregation called Legion, and those offer some energy. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Joysticks Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary with Director Greydon Clark is accessible under the Setup Menu.


• Fan Commentary with Eric D. Wilkinson, Heath Holland and Jesse Nelson is accessible under the Setup Menu.


• Interview with Director Greydon Clark (SD; 17:44)


• "Coin Slots" Faux "Trailer" Short (HD; 2:49)


• Trailers includes Joysticks (HD; 2:09) along with trailers for other releases from MVD Visual.

Perhaps hilariously confirming that yes, I am an idiot, I got the first release of this from MVD that some may know was recalled for an audio issue. When MVD sent an email saying not to cover that one and that a replacement would be sent, I probably stupidly threw the first one in the garbage, only to get a disc without packaging when the replacement arrived, so while I can't confirm this personally, MVD's website states that the keepcase features a reversible sleeve and encloses a folded mini poster, and that packaging features a slipcover.

Joysticks Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The old Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing looks like it may be hard to find these days, and that may make this release the automatic default for fans. Those fans should be encouraged by the fact that technical merits seem to be at least generally equal (and perhaps superior with regard to audio), and MVD has ported over the supplements from that older release while also offering a couple of new ones and some non disc swag, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.