There’s something going on at the local video arcade – something totally insane, outrageously hilarious, very sexy, and thoroughly entertaining; the hit film JOY STICKS!

This antic romp begins when “The Video Arcade’s” newest employee, Eugene (Leif Green, Grease 2) arrives pantless for his first day on the job. Teenage heartthrob Jeff (Scott McGinnis, Secret Admirer), who runs the arcade, and Dorfus (Jim Greenleaf, Liar’s Moon), the slovenly video game addict, decide to take revenge on the vivacious Alva (Kym Malin, Weird Science) and Lola for tricking Eugene out of his pants with a wild game of “strip video.” But before they can act, King Vidiot (Jon Gries, Napoleon Dynamite) and his sexy troupe of high-tech video addicts invade the arcade and pandemonium breaks loose. In the midst of the chaos, Joseph Rutter (Joe Don Baker, Fletch), an influential businessman, comes into the arcade looking for his daughter Patsy (Corinne Bohrer, Surf II). When he witnesses the madness around him, he vows to see the “den of juvenile delinquency” shut down for good!

Will the city council decide to close the arcade and spoil the kids’ fun? Or, will Jeff, Eugene, and Dorfus manage to turn Rutter’s anger with a little help from Alva and Lola? It all comes together in a climatic and hilarious video game competition – with a winner-takes-all bet on the future of the video arcade in this early 80’s cult classic comedy produced and directed by Greydon Clark (Final Justice).

For thoughts on Joysticks, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

Joysticks returns to Blu-Ray via the MVD Rewind Collection with a 1080p transfer which is sourced from a 2K scan and restoration of 35mm film elements conducted in 2015. This was the same source used for the previous Blu-Ray release from Scorpion Releasing which was limited to 1,000 copies in 2015. While any differences are basically negligible, those who missed out will be glad to finally have an affordable option to own it. The source does say “film elements” and not the negative, and the quality difference can be spotted from other films of this time. The transfer likely looks the best it possibly can, but it is clear that there are deficiencies when it comes to the source.

This transfer maintains a pleasing amount of thick, organic film grain that does not appear to have been digitally tweaked or robbed of its texture in the slightest. The core source is in good shape with no signs of significant damage to ruin the experience, although there is the expected amount of nicks and scratches at play. The transfer maintains a decent consistency throughout its presentation with only the odd instance of fluctuations in density. The transfer does reveal some favorable detail in the production design of the arcade and within the texture of clothing. The palette is pleasantly suffused as it captures the bright colors of the outfits and certain lighting. The highlights are pretty stable with no digital noise popping up. Black levels are admirable with a fair amount of depth and only sporadic banding. This is a satisfying representation of the film even without a new scan.

Audio Quality

MVD Entertainment brings us this new Blu-Ray with an LPCM 2.0 mono track that holds up pretty well given the source. One of the first things you will notice about this film is the ridiculous soundtrack. From the opening moments, the music rarely lacks in power or fidelity as it emanates from the speakers. The exchanges of dialogue hold up favorably, coming through clearly without being swallowed up by the tunes or sound effects of the games. Environmental effects are somewhat delineated within the bustling space, but certain details become a bit muddled. Age-related wear and tear is kept to a minimum, but there are moments of weakness. MVD Entertainment has done a fine job here. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided on this disc.

Special Features

Audio Commentaries: This release provides an archival commentary track from the filmmaker and a new commentary track from some notable fans that provides two unique perspectives. If you want to get a personal take on how the film came to be in great detail, the filmmaker commentary track will treat you right. If you want to listen to a track that sounds like you are watching the film with all of your most knowledgeable friends, the new track is a great time.

- Audio Commentary #1: Director Greydon Clark

- Audio Commentary #2: Fan commentary featuring MVD Rewind Collection’s Eric D. Wilkinson, Cereal at Midnight host Heath Holland, and Diabolik DVD’s Jesse Nelson

Interview with Greydon Clark: An 18-minute interview with the filmmaker in which he discusses his early interest in movies, his first steps into filmmaking, developing the idea for Joysticks, the unexpected success of the film, his career in the intervening years, and more.

Coin Slots – Faux “Trailer” Short: A humorous new three-minute trailer for a fake film is provided.

Trailers: This disc provides the two-minute trailer for Joysticks. The disc also features trailers for other MVD releases including Ski Patrol, Hardware Wars, Dirty Laundry, and Hail Caesar.

Poster: A fold-out poster of the cover art is included in the case.

Final Thoughts

Joysticks is the epitome of a teenage male fantasy of the era with its exaggerated depiction of video games and the beautiful (often naked) girls who play them. This is such a product of its time that it will seem downright alien to some, but it is a great deal of fun. Yes, it runs rampant with the objectification of women, but we can appreciate how far we have come while still indulging in the excess of the experience. MVD Entertainment has offered up a Blu-Ray with a decent enough A/V presentation and some worthwhile special features. If you don’t have an issue with the more reductive elements of ‘80s screenwriting, there is throwback fun to be had. Recommended

Joysticks will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray on May 7, 2024.

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

Disclaimer: MVD Entertainment 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.