Killer Klowns From Outer Space — Killer Klowns From Outer Space(Blu Ray)
Killer Klowns From Outer Space was the first joint big studio collaboration between New York-based Chiodo brothers- Stephen( as director), Charles( as Writer), and Edward( as Producer). The brother's other credits have taken in the likes of Critters, The Sword & The Sorcerer, The Lost Boys, Screamers, The Simpsons, & Team America: World Police- where they had either worked as special effects artists, puppeteers, or had writing credits. The plot tells of a small American town that’s one night invaded by Aliens, which look like mutated clowns. In classic 1950’s monster movie style only a small group of teens realize what’s going on, and it’s up to them to convince the rest of the town before everyone gets turned in giant cotton candies.
The Chiodo brothers grew up in the 50’s & 60’s, and really the film is their cinematic love letter to sci-fi /monster movies like The Blob, It Came From Outer space, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, and Invasion Of The Saucer Men. So if you’re not a fan of that type of campy small-town America invasion movie- this won’t click with you. Added to that we get a big dollop of campy 80’s humor, bright & surreal set pieces/ effects, and a light sprinkling of gore. So if you're coming into this expecting a straighter & horror focused clown movie- it’s best to look elsewhere.
I’ve always had a soft spot for the 50’s/ 60’s monster shlock and enjoyed the campy/ dayglo side of the 80’s. So for me Killer Klowns From Outer Space is very much of a guilty pleasure- sure it’s silly & at times overdone, but there’s a playful energy & quirky invention flowing through-out the film, with fleeting moments of horror & creep-ness. Really in that way the films very much akin to going on a Day-Glo haunted house ride at the fair, while overloading on sugary & greasy food.
I think I’ve only ever seen the film on TV, so this new 4K scan from the original camera negative certainly improves on what I’ve seen in the past, with the brighter & surreal elements of the film nicely popping out of the screen. Though unfortunately as much of the film is set at night time, it still does tend to be on the darker side.
You get a nice selection new of extras- for this release taking in the following: Let the Show Begin! Anatomy of a Killer Theme Song- a ten-minute featurette with punk pop veterans The Dickes discussing writing the films kooky-yet- caughty theme song. The Chiodos Walk Among Us: Adventures in Super 8 Filmmaking- a nearing thirty-minute doc about the brothers early homemade film adventures. Six of the brothers original super eight films, that they made between the mid-60’s/ early 70’s- these each run between six & fourteen minutes a piece, and are a mix of stop motion, rudimentary effects, and animation. You also get the bonus of commentaries on a few of these films too. So all in all a good selection of new exclusive extras for this edition.
But on top of the above you get a host of extras from the previous DVD edition of the film. And these take in a full length commentary from all three of the brothers- this is funny & insightful, and you get a host an interesting stories relating to how certain characters in the film where based on friends they had as teens. Next there's a selection of five stand-alone interviews- with the other members of cast & crew. You also get a selection of deleted scenes, with commentaries by the brothers. Additions of the clowns who appeared in the film, a half-an-hour featuring following the work of the brother’s production company. Bloopers, and image gallery- so really it truly is bulging selection of extras, that will keep you busy for hours after watching the film it's self.
Killer Klowns From Outer space is very much a distinctively 80's slice of fun, and it’s great to see it get such a loving reissue here. As I mention above, if you never seen the film before, and are expecting a more straight-ahead killer-clown film, you be disappointed- but if you go into it expecting a fun/ campy slice of 80’s schlock blending together sci-fi, humour & horror- you won't be disappointed.