Make no mistake, the Chiodo Brothers‘ “Killer Klowns From Outer Space” (1988) is pure camp and a cheesy good time. The film channels the fears of “clowns” and does it in a very comedic and low-budget fashion. The title says it all, and anyone who would take this movie seriously would be making a mistake. Oftentimes silly, the film is not a movie for everyone but is recommended to those who would like to experience a straight-up good time of comedy-horror!
Debbie and Mike (Suzanne Snyder and Grant Cramer) are two lovebirds who are enjoying the romantic moonlit sky up in the mountains when they spy on an unidentified object that plummets to earth. Curious, Debbie talks Mike into investigating and what they found was a huge circus tent rather than a meteor. This tent is actually a spaceship used by its floppy-shoed inhabitants. They go into the ship (curiously unlocked) that looks like a candy factory and they encounter some cocooned bodies in cotton candy. Freaked out, the two manage to escape to warn the town’s sheriff, Mooney (John Vernon) who just laughs at their story. But Debbie’s ex-boyfriend, Dave (John Allen Nelson) is also a deputy who despite his skepticism, decides to check out the area. However, it may be too late as the grotesque alien clowns begin to rampage though town, killing and cocooning its townsfolk…can they survive cotton candy, popcorn, and other party gags to save the planet from the ruby-red nosed aliens?!
“Killer Klowns From Outer Space” is definitely a part of 80’s horror-comedies. The clothes, the hair styles and the cars are all about the 80’s. The film is outrageously silly and most of its plot elements doesn’t make sense. The plot is pretty simple and made to fit just how many murderous party favors the filmmakers can cram into its 88 minute runtime. The characters are pretty clichéd and uninspired; I also thought that the presence of the two ice cream (played by Michael Siegel and Peter Licassi) vendors was just plain annoying. With a film like this, one should ignore the details of the plot and the shallow characterization, this a movie that channels murderous silliness, and goofy good time.
Make no mistake, “Killer Klowns” is a bad movie, but it is so bad that it is good. I was amused when sound effects weren’t perfectly timed (car crash sounds off before the actual collision), cars don’t get dented and the script while cheesy, it does have its charm. The film is outrageously goofy as the clown’s footprints are like rubber stamps, crazy straws are used as a form of IV, there is a balloon-bloodhound, crazy popcorn cannibalistic creatures, bicycle rage, a shadow T-Rex and lots more. The film wastes no time in even trying to remotely explain what is happening, things are just the way they were because well, these are “clowns”. The “clowns” vary in size, there is a giant killer clown, a 7-footer and a short one; most of them displayed super-strength (ability to jump really high and punch one‘s block off) and their vehicles are so small you wonder how they can fit. They do have their own personality and who needs an explanation why they picked this planet for a snack? The manner with which the clowns capture their ‘victims’ are quite creative and stays true to the practices of “clowns”. The make-up effects aren’t scary albeit they do look rather sinister yet so silly. Like zombies, these alien “klowns” have one vulnerability, and I bet you can guess what it is.
The acting in the film is pretty lame. John Vernon is actually one of the film’s better actors (I know!). Curiously for an 80’s horror flick, the film doesn’t have even a hint of nudity. There is some blood and gore made in the old-fashioned manner and the clown effects have that gratuitous puppetry. There is a decent body count as confetti is tossed into the air. There are noteworthy silly lines such as “this is more important than selling ice cream” and “what are you going to do with those PIES, boys?”. There is also some suggestive themes as we see the prudish overweight ice cream devouring women. All this stuff manages to put a smile in my face. Don’t get me started on the post-mortem ventriloquist act….
“Killer Klowns From Outer Space” serves up a good feeling of goofy Comedy-horror. Sometimes we need movies we don’t need to think about too much, and this creation fit’s the bill perfectly. The morale of the story: Cotton candy is full of preservatives that it can be used as a preservative and to never attempt to put a shower massager in your mouth. “Killer Klowns” is a fine example of goofy, silly fun that a movie doesn’t need to be polished to generate a good time. The film is a fun cult flick that is a fine genre addition that took advantage of every “BOING”!
Recommended! [3 ½ Stars]
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FM_ALEXOctober 22, 2010
Man this is a classic for sure, clowns scare me WP.
Great review! Never liked this one though. Not for even a split second. In fact, I wanted to kick my best friend for subjecting me to this total garbage. I did love your enthusiasm on this review though. Obviously, it's one you really love so I won't slice it or dice it.
woopak_the_thrillDecember 17, 2009
Brian, I ain't gonna lie to you....this movie was baadddddd!! But after awhile thinking about it, it was so bold as to how it wanted to be successful as a bad movie that it became its creative strength LOL! Does that make sense? Oh, if you liked Center of the World, I'll be dropping something very similar but different in tonight...
cenobite7December 17, 2009
Oh, rockin' ! I will be on the lookout for that one. I loved Center Of The World. In many ways, I could almost relate to the dude in that film.
woopak_the_thrillDecember 18, 2009
I just dropped the first part of a two parter: TOKYO DECADENCE. I am about to review some more twisted stuff. LOL
cenobite7December 29, 2009
This is true. I either sit there & talk shit about the film while watching it or just leave the room. Depends on how nice one wants to be I guess. LOL
Oh man I was watching this back in 1999 while working 3rd shift (hey it helps to get paid while watching these flicks). Great stuff and a classic Woop review if ever there was one. Woop if you go MIA on the 19th, how long before you return? It just won't be right without your reviews!
woopak_the_thrillDecember 15, 2009
LOL! This was just brilliantly bad....that it was good LOL! Yeh, I'll be taking a break from writing before Christmas because I know I will be swamped with things to do that I won't be able to see anything at all. I'll be around to comment and read reviews but I'll return to writing by the New Year. Thanks, Jason. I hope you get to review Blade of the Immortal for us!
JRiderDecember 15, 2009
Tell you what brother, I pick it up tomorrow and get it done by the weekend. I owe you still for bunking out on "Shocktober". Link coming soon.
woopak_the_thrillDecember 15, 2009
Yes! Finally my nagging has borne fruit! LMFAO yeh...you did owe me for Shock-tober LOL!
If it were up to me the ice cream guys would go and the movie would improve enormously, but I can't help it---IJUST LOVE THIS FREAKIN' MOVIE! For a fan of horror comedies it's manna from heaven. The T-Rex alone makes it worth it--and Washington crossing the Delaware, of course! Bet you couldn't see that one coming! I couldn't , and I love to be surprised!
woopak_the_thrillDecember 14, 2009
Tell me about it. I know a lot of the elements in the movie were outrageous but they do work. It was a good time. I'm glad you agree that the ice cream dudes were unnecessary, I thought they hampered the film's footing. Nope, I didn't predict the T-Rex at all!
QUEENBFLIXDecember 14, 2009
I think they DID work BECAUSE they were outrageous.
woopak_the_thrillDecember 14, 2009
the sheriff was just so silly! I wished he had more screentime LOL!
QUEENBFLIXDecember 14, 2009
Yeah. I like John Allen Nelson too. For a good looking guy who plays things pretty stright he's actually very funny.
I have to say, I thought this movie was terrible... but I think that's why I liked it. It's one of those movies that's so bad it's good. So horrible it's kinda funny.
woopak_the_thrillDecember 12, 2009
Yeh, this movie had horrible directing, so low-budget, cheesy dumb dialogue but for some reason, I couldn't stop laughing when I see those 'klowns". I had to give it props for originality. My fave horror-comedy franshise is still EVIL DEAD. Rent POULTRYGEIST: Return of the chicken dead...so bad it is good. LOL
While cuddling up under the moonlight, Mike(Grant Cramer) and Deb(Suzanne Snyder) get a glimpse of what could be a falling comet. While investigating the site where it landed or crashed, the couple come upon a circus tent. They soon learn that there are clowns using some type of ray guns killing people. The two run to the police department seeking help, and the clowns soon invade the town killing whoever crosses their path.-summary Killer Klowns From Outer … more
