Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

The Jerk Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman December 14, 2018

Is it time for the “PC police” to take on The Jerk? With the recent well publicized brouhaha over Frank Loesser’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, not to mention a similar if perhaps not so widely reported hubbub insisting that “troubling” Nazi imagery needs to be removed from any productions of The Sound of Music, it really isn’t that much of a stretch to think of hordes of complainers coming up with all sorts of reasons to disparage Steve Martin’s debut as a feature film star. But of course one of The Jerk’s salient aspects is just how un-PC it is at virtually every turn, and so anyone with “delicate sensibilities” might be well cautioned to stay far, far away from one Navin R. Johnson and everything that happens to him in this film.

For my thoughts on the film, including my assessment of its deliberately provocative, un-PC, elements, please see our The Jerk Blu-ray review of the now long ago Universal release.

The Jerk Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Jerk is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Shout! Factory's Shout Select imprint with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer 1.85:1. By all measurements this is a decided improvement over Universal's lackluster release of the title several years ago, but there are still occasional hurdles to overcome even in this presentation. As can hopefully be seen by comparing similar screenshots between the two versions, the mottled, slightly gray to brown, appearance of the Universal release has definitely been improved, even if the Shout! release doesn't materially improve sharpness, clarity and detail levels. The Universal release looked artificially sharpened at times, though, which can play into things in terms of comparisons. Shout! is advertising a "brand new 2K transfer" without specifying any restoration efforts, and eagle eyed videophiles may still spot a few random specks and flecks that dot the premises on occasion. The grain field is much more organically resolved in this version, though there are still occasional rough spots, as can be gleaned in screenshots 7 - 9. Things are also understandably a bit rough looking during the opening credits sequence. All in all, though, if you're a fan of The Jerk, this is the version to get in terms of video presentation, even if there are still a few things to quibble about.

The Jerk Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Jerk features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks. The 5.1 mix is to my ears very similar if not absolutely identical to the one I assessed in our The Jerk Blu-ray review, meaning it gets the job done well enough, but anyone looking for nonstop, state of the art, immersive qualities will probably come away disappointed. Shout! advertises the 2.0 mix as stereo, but I'm sure not hearing much if any separation. That said, the 2.0 mix provides ample support for the film's goofy dialogue, occasional sound effects (like the sniper rifle fire) and the rather sweet, whimsical score.

The Jerk Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Conversation with Steve Martin and Carl Reiner (1080p; 26:35) is a really sweet sit down with the iconic pair, and may well be worth the price of admission alone for some fans of either or both of these gentlemen. They discuss the film of course, but also get into its place in the context of both of their careers.


• A Conversation with Co-Writers Carl Gottlieb and Michael Elias (1080p; 24:40) is similarly entertaining and informative, even if fewer people are probably aware of this pair than of Martin and Reiner.


• Learn to Play "You Belong to Me" (1080i; 7:04) is the same ukelele lesson that was offered on the old Universal disc.


• The Lost Film Strips of Father Carlos Las Vegas de Cordova (1080i; 4:20) was also on the old Universal release.


• Theatrical Trailer (1080i; 2:30)


• Teaser Trailer (1080p; 00:33)


• Exhibitor's Trailer (1080p; 2:29)


• Radio Spots (3:03)

The Jerk Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Some of the "issues" I mentioned in my review of the Universal release of this film were still front and center in my mind as I watched it this time, and I had the same kind of bifurcated response to some of the humor. This is a film that virtually wallows in stupidity, and sometimes that works brilliantly to comedic effect. At other times, it's just plain — well, stupid. This new Shout! version offers better if not completely problem free video, and also includes some wonderful new interviews with cast and crew that may make it a "must buy" even for those who don't have a particular fondness for the film itself.