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Killer Klowns From Outer Space [1987]


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One of my favourite low budget movies.
Review date: 2008-10-11 Rating: 8 out of 10

I've loved this film since the first time I saw it almost 20 years ago.
It grabbed me right from the start when the superb theme tune by The Dickies kicked in. The clowns themselves are suitably menacing, they look like badly filled fancy dress costumes gone wild but when they show their teeth it's time to watch out. The line "they were travelling through outer space and stopped for something to eat" describes the plot succinctly and Cove Crescent is their chosen pit-stop.
John Vernon as the red-neck deputy Curtis Mooney is the only really bright light in the acting stakes. The special effects are not that brilliant but that suits the movie well, this is not an FX extravaganza but it is one of the best low budget comedy horror movies you will see.
Apart from the big-top space ship and low-grade plastic weapons there's also the klown kar, the klown women (looking as sexy as the stripper in Funny Man), popcorn that grows into monsters and custard pies that dissolve flesh; almost every aspect of the circus clown act is twisted into some fiendish device here.
If I had one complaint it would be the lack of any real extras, most notably the 20 minute "making of" featurette that appeared on the R1 DVD release many years ago is not included here. That grumble aside thanks to the Chiodo Brothers for making a movie that cheers me up every time I watch it and The Dickies for that brilliant theme tune.


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Reviews


What a film!
Review date: 2008-09-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

Whoever you are? Whatever your favourite genre is. You have to add this movie to your collection. Hilarious antics involving klowns, candy floss, shadow puppets, balloon animals, pies and party blowers. This film is great for the whole family, minus a bit of bad language from animal house star John Vernon. If your kids have seen Stephen King's IT and are now afraid of klowns this is probably not the movie for them but honestly. This movie is a masterpiece and is certainly more watchable than pride and prejudice.

We Have Come For Your Children...
Review date: 2008-09-27 Rating: 6 out of 10

The Chiodo Brothers (Stephen, Charles and Edward) are legends of the makeup and Animatronics fields - From the base '80s-ness of "Critters" to the low-brow satire that is "Team America : World Police" they have reigned supreme in this department, giving even Screaming Mad George a slight run for his money. But why give them a movie of their very own? Surely that would be the same as asking a Filing Clerk for a Nuclear Power Plant to take over for the weekend whilst the Operations Staff go bobbing for apples? Would it Hell.

In a decade filled with quirky B-Movie goodness, it takes a team with vision to present you with something that manages to stand out amongst a crowd with such nuance; Aliens that arrive from the depths of Outer Space that strangely resemble clowns, resplendant with many clownish accoutrements. All of this is set within the usual "aliens-with-mysterious-agenda-terrorise-American-Hick-Town-and-are-defeated" motif, so apart from the Clourophobia fetish, what does this movie give you that is new? The answer lies within the Chiodo Brother's work on the Clowns themselves - Considering the brothers used almost all their budget on pre-production and STILL managed to build such rouge-splattered juggernauts beggars belief. They rock, Insane Clown Posse are exceedingly jealous and such. Hats off.

So, movie-wise the film just works. DVD-wise? bare bones, widescreen transfer, hideous packaging. Looks like a 1985 VHS release, "The Journey Of Natty Gann" perhaps. No matter, Region 1 has had this for yonks, as per usual Region 2 is just beginning to catch up. You know you have to have it!

Classic
Review date: 2008-09-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

Okay, it's cheesy, the plot is terrible, its characters are one dimensional, but it's also wicked, funny, and a classic. With skin melting custard pies, killer balloon animals, and man eating shadow puppets, what's not to love?

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Suzanne Snyder
Grant Cramer
John Allen Nelson
Royal Dano
John Vernon

Creators:
Grant Cramer (Primary Contributor)
Suzanne Snyder (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5055201804808
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-09-22
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 83 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1987

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