Joysticks – MVD Rewind Collection (DVD)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1983
Director: Greydon Clark
Writers: Al Gomez, Mickey Epps, Curtis Burch
Cast: Joe Don Baker, Leif Green, Jim Greenleaf, Scott McGinnis, Jon Gries, Corinne Bohrer, John Diehl, Becky LeBeau

Release Date: November 7th, 2023
Approximate Running Time: 86 Minutes 30 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: R
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $14.95

"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 McGuinnis, 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)." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.25/5

Joysticks comes of a single layer DVD.

Disc Size: 4.1 GB

Though the source used for this transfer is in great shape, there is some print debris and at least one instance where source damage is noticeable. Flesh tones look correct, colors are nicely saturated, black levels fare well, and compression looks good for a DVD.

Audio: 3/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital stereo mix in English with removable English SDH. This audio track sounds clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise ambient sounds and the soundtrack sound very good.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a trailer for Joysticks (2 minutes 9 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and trailers for Ski Patrol and Dirty Laundry.

Summary:

Directed by Greydon Clark, whose other notable films include Satan’s Cheerleaders and Without Warning.

The narrative revolves around a wealthy businessman who tries to shut down an arcade that his daughter has been hanging out at.

Oh my, how things have changed since Joysticks was first unleashed on unsuspecting youths in search of the latest teen/sex themed comedy, and during the first half of the 1980's, there was never a shortage of these types of films. Of course, for every Porky’s, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Revenge of the Nerds (these are arguably some of this genre's finest examples), there was a film like Joysticks that sat on the other side of the spectrum.

The plot (if one would call it a plot) is virtually nonexistent. Joysticks seems merely content with just being a handful of sophomoric comedy set pieces, and even these aforementioned moments of humor often fall flat. And while these types of films are often known for their stereotypical characters, Joysticks somehow even mess up in this regard. At least when it comes to gratuitous T&N, this is one area where Joysticks gets things right and often excels in this area.

The performances are best described as serviceable. Outside of Jon Don Baker (Walking Tall) in the role of Joseph Rutter, an angry father whose daughter is spending too much time at the video arcade None of the other performances really stood out. At least when it comes to female cast members, there is an ample amount of eye candy.

Joysticks is clearly marketed towards specific audiences: video arcade enthusiasts and fans of the 1980’s raunchy teen comedies (two things whose popularity has long since faded into oblivion). Making Joysticks a bitter pill to swallow for the majority of perspective filmgoers watching this movie in today’s overtly politically correct world.

Joysticks gets a good audio/video presentation as part of the MVD Rewind Collection.

Written by Michael Den Boer