Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Stephen Chiodo

Writers:

Charles Chiodo (writer)
Edward Chiodo (writer)

Release Date:

27 May 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Comedy

Tagline:

It's Craaazy!

Plot:

Aliens who look like clowns come from outer space and terrorize a small town.

Plot Keywords:

Clown | Alien | Small Town | Ice Cream | Ice Cream Truck

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Grant Cramer	...	Mike Tobacco
Suzanne Snyder	...	Debbie Stone
John Allen Nelson	...	Dave Hanson
John Vernon	...	Curtis Mooney
Michael Siegel	...	Rich Terenzi
Peter Licassi	...	Paul Terenzi
Royal Dano	...	Farmer Gene Green
Christopher Titus	...	Bob McReed
Irene Michaels	...	Stacy
Karla Sue Krull	...	Tracy
Brian Degan Scott	...	Punk #1
Danny Kovacs	...	Punk #2
Adele Proom	...	Mrs. Franco
Howard Malpas	...	Mr. Myers
Karen Raff	...	Mom #1

Runtime:

88 min | Argentina:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | Argentina:13 | Iceland:16 | Germany:18 | Australia:M | Canada:14A | France:-12 (TV rating) | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California, USA

Company:

Chiodo Brothers Productions

Trivia:

The scene in which a car is thrown over a cliff was initially intended to be far more spectacular - the car was to fly over the cliff and crash down to the ground. Unfortunately, the sling rope snapped because effects crew members neglected to remove the stoppers from underneath the car's wheels. The result was what is seen in the final film, the car slowly tumbles over the edge and becomes caught on a tree.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When the farmer goes in his house to get supplies, the prop master is visible inside the doorway as he exits.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Curtis Mooney: Look at this son of a bitch.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Gojira (1954)

Soundtrack:

Sandals in the Sand

Thank you, MGM...

I just want to extend a BIG thank you to MGM! I haven't seen this movie in years, and have always wondered if it would ever make its way back to video.

If you can't tell what Killer Klowns From Outer Space is about by the title, then this movie isn't for you. The plot is so outrageous, that you need to be a serious Midnight Movie fanatic to enjoy it. It's only appropriate that MGM has issued the DVD under their Midnight Movie banner.

This is one fun movie. Not particularly scary, and not very gruesome, but hugely enjoyable. I've always been a little unsettled by clowns ("It" really did them in for me), and Killer Klowns should seal the deal. I've read a lot of reviews that compare Killer Klowns to the '50s "B" movies (especially the ones from American International Pictures), and I can say that I agree. Although, I can't even see AIP coming up with the concept of alien clowns overtaking a quiet town by sealing all it's residents up in cotton candy cocoons and shooting carnivorous popcorn from ray guns!

You'll be met with blank stares if you try and explain this film to anybody whose never seen it, so do yourself a favor. Pop a big bucket of popcorn, get yourself some cotton candy and sit your friends down in front of the TV and just let them take in Killer Klowns From Outer Space. Enjoy!

My grade: A+