Blu-ray Review: Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)

April 14, 2018

Written by DanXIII

Daniel XIII; the result of an arcane ritual involving a King Diamond album, a box of Count Chocula, and a copy of Swank magazine, is a screenwriter, director, producer, actor, artist, and reviewer of fright flicks…Who hates ya baby?

I can’t even to begin to fathom the fact that some of you fine fiends haven’t seen  Killer Klowns From Outer Space, but just in case here’s a quick sinister synopsis: When a big top from beyond the stars lands on Earth and dispenses monstrous alien clowns, it’s up to a gaggle of college kids to try and save the day by facing off against the bizarre creatures and their even more bizarre weapons (cotton candy guns, man eating shadow puppets, killer popcorn et. al.) Can our heroes survive the night and send those ha-ha horrors packing?
Surreal, hilarious, filled to the rafters with over-the-top practical effects goodness; Killer Klowns is considered a classic (klassic?) by many, and considered a masterpiece by your’s cruelly. Besides an overwhelming sense of fun and frights, the main takeaway from ol’ double K is that low budget horror pics can be imaginative and unique on a shoestring budget…a lesson today’s slasher and haunting obsessed bargain budget film makers would do well to take to heart.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space is a film well worth owning in it’s own right; but this blu-ray release from Arrow is the way to go by far due to the big top of eerie extras included! First up we get an archival commentary (ported from a previous DVD release) with the Chiodo Brothers. This is a great listen filled with anecdotes about the film’s creation. Following that we get a new interview with punk band The Dickies who composed the film’s earworm theme song. Next up we get an all new documentary examining how the Chiodo’s got their start in making movie magic (as an extra bonus the films talked about within the documentary are presented in their entirety as well). It’s  agreat look at how folks can go from childhood dreamers to working professionals. Following that we get an archival tour of the Chiodo’s studio, as well as archival interviews with Actors Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, the Chiodo Bros. (big surprise…though this has plenty of behind the scenes footage from the film), Visual Effects Supervisor Gene Warren Jr., Creature Fabricator Dwight Roberts, and Composer John Massari. Bringing up the rear are: a collection of behind the scenes footage, Klown auditions, two deleted scenes (with optional commentary), a blooper reel, and the film’s theatrical trailer.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space is a fright flick essential, and if you don’t already own it (hell, even if you do) this feature packed Blu is the way to go!
 

 

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