‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space’ Arrow Video Blu-ray Review

I often write about older movies that I’ve not seen yet until I get the chance to review them.  Companies like Arrow Video allow me the chance to get hold of them and often at their best quality, which is something I’m truly thankful for.  Killer Klowns from Outer Space was always one of those movies that I knew I had to see but never got round to it, but through Netflix I got lucky.  Finally getting to see it I saw what all the fuss was about and just why it is seen as a cult classic.  Now Arrow Video have given it their treatment on a dual DVD and Blu-ray release and with plenty of special features it’s enough to make you drool.

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When a small town is invaded by aliens from outer space the local cops take no notice of the calls for help, especially Mooney (John Vernon) who doesn’t take the description of the aliens seriously…clowns.  When Debbie pleads with Dave Hanson (John Allen Nelson) he relents and puts his cop skills into action to investigate.  It’s not long before the evidence is enough to convince Hanson, especially with clowns, candyfloss and mutant popcorn invading the streets.

Created by the Chiodo brothers and directed by Stephen Chiodo this low-budget homage to movies such as The Blob walks the tightrope between bad b-movie and cult classic.  Thankfully though the fun nature of the film wins out and while the acting isn’t the best at times Killer Klowns from Outer Space is everything a good cult classic should be.  With inventive death scenes which all have a clown or circus theme the horror for the most part may be tame, but the well thought out idea of the clowns themselves and the comedy aspect make this a memorable film that always sticks fondly in your mind.  Fans of The Toxic Avenger, Frankenhooker, The Stuff and Attack of the Killer tomatoes (and many more b-movies) will love this.

When it comes to the acting it is fair to say that the actors really do get what the movie is and give performances that fit the tone.  Praise has to be given for the casting of John Vernon as the asshole cap.  Vernon is a favourite of mine when it comes to the bad guys of comedy, Dean Wormer from Animal House is of course the character so easily thought of when you think of him.  I’ll say that Killer Klowns from Outer Space comes a close second especially in the scene where the clowns make him look like a dummy.

Typically of Arrow Video they present the film with an excellent picture quality.  Even with the high-definition presentation none of the magic is taken away as can sometimes happen when films like this are presented in higher quality.  If anything showing the film in such a good format shows just how surprisingly good the effects are for a film on a low-budget.  The special features include interviews, bloopers and a Chiodo Brothers commentary for the film that provides plenty of trivia to keep film fans happy.  As always it’s nice that Arrow Video have taken the time to pull together so much material about the film, and release it in a steelbook, showing the love for the release that it fully deserves.

Even before I started to watch the movie I already knew that I loved Killer Klowns from Outer Space and I have no doubt that many people who purchase it will be exactly the same.  We have a certain confidence now with Arrow Video that they will provide us with the film in the best possible presentation and with special features that provide us with everything we need to know about the movie.  They don’t let us down this time.  There are better releases by the company (with a review for one of them coming up very soon) but for in the context of Killer Klowns from Outer Space I would argue that this is the perfect release for a cult classic that got lucky and pushed all the right buttons with an oversized mallet of fun.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space is available on dual format DVD & Blu-ray from September 15th.

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