‘Joe’s Apartment’ Blu-Ray Review – Jerry O’Connell Cockroach Comedy Is Given The Platinum Treatment

Move from Iowa to New York. Get a place, a job, a girl. Maybe it all can hilariously fall into place when you’ve got pals who stand arm-in-arm-in-arm-in-arm-in-arm with you! Joe’s Apartment, written and directed by John Payson (who expanded his acclaimed MTV short into feature length), is the place for fun when Joe (Jerry O’Connell) discovers he shares it with some prior tenants: 50,000 singing, dancing, wisecracking cockroaches! What bugs Joe is how these cockamamie cucarachas meddle with his romance with lovely Lily (Megan Ward). But he’ll eye the world of creepy-crawlies differently when the tiny bugsters turn from hindering to helping – like it or not.

For thoughts on Joe’s Apartment, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic: 

[youtube https://youtu.be/rA5oSfcdD2k?si=23OF023WkGe694xd&t=730]

Video Quality

Joe’s Apartment gets an unbelievable upgrade on Blu-Ray courtesy of Warner Archive with a new 1080p master sourced from a 4K restoration of the Original Camera Negative. This may not be considered a marquee title by many, but that does not stop Warner Archive from caring for it like it was a Best Picture winner. The transfer provides resplendent natural film grain free of any compression artifacts or other such digital anomalies. This disc captures every disgusting element of the city and titular apartment with unparalleled clarity.  

There are elements in the clothing and dilapidated production design that are easily visible for the first time ever on home entertainment. The digital effects are slightly dated, but this is not a fault with the transfer. A  few key colors pop off the screen in contrast to the grimy space, especially in some of the lighting choices. Skin tones appear to be natural, and the presentation offers up deep black levels. Warner Archive has served up a lovely transfer for a cult oddity. 

Audio Quality

Warner Archive provides a new Blu-Ray with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix that encapsulates this film perfectly. With this being an MTV Production, it comes as no surprise that music is an important element of this feature. Thankfully,  this presentation delivers every tune with flawless fidelity. Dialogue primarily stays anchored in the center channel, but it makes its way to the surround speakers when narratively necessary, such as offhand comments from the cockroaches. There are a handful of chaotic, kinetic moments during which some exceptional environmental effects spring to life. This is a carefully balanced track that crushes it on every front. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided on this disc.

Special Features

• The Lady In Red: A seven-minute Merrie Melodies short is provided in which a cockroach community (very appropriate) is impeded upon by a parrot trying to kidnap a star dancer. This is presented in gorgeous HD.

• From Hare To Eternity A seven-minute Looney Tunes short is provided in which you find Bugs Bunny squaring off against pirate Yosemite Sam over some treasure. This is presented in gorgeous HD. 

• Superior Duck A seven-minute Looney Tunes short is provided in which Daffy Duck attempts to show off his superpowers to mixed results. This is presented in gorgeous HD. 

• Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here. 

Final Thoughts

Joe’s Apartment is a weird cult film that is sure to have some fans who grew up loving it, but everyone else is left with a comedy lacking a consistent string of funny moments. Jerry O’Connell is an amiable lead, but he is not given much to do outside of being a dolt. The cockroaches are more irritating than hilarious, and the humor generated by the humans is intermittent at best. We love big swings and pitch-black comedies, but this one misses the mark more than it doesn’t. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray featuring a tremendous A/V presentation and some fun special features. If you count yourself a fan of this film, you will be delighted by the technical presentation.  

Joe’s Apartment can be purchased directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers. The film will be released on January 30, 2024. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.