Cast:
Grant Cramer (Mike Tobacco), Suzanne Snyder (Debbie Stone), John Allen Nelson (Dave Hansen), John Vernon (Curtis Mooney), Michael S. Siegel (Rich Terenzi), Peter Licassi (Paul Terenzi), Royal Dano (Farmer Gene Green), Charles Chiodo (Jojo the Klownzilla), and Christopher Titus (Bob McReed) Directed by Stephen Chiodo.
Review:
“We wanted to do to the toilet what Alfred Hitchcock did to the shower.”
I'm sure you have a grasp on a film with a title that distinct for a film so often labeled among the cult favorites, particularly ones that celebrate their 35th anniversary this year. Made as a homage to films such as The Blob (1958), this was the brainchild of the Chiodo brothers (Stephen, Charles & Edward), who had worked on various effects in films of the 1980s that dealt with either clay models, creature input, or stop motion, which could range from short sequences such as working on the "6000 SUX sequence" in RoboCop (1987) to critter design for Critters (1986). As such, the film was written by Charles and Stephen while the two produced it with their brother Edward, and it was they who came up with the idea of adding "from Outer Space" to the title so that people would not think it was a straight slasher movie. They did provide a few effects for the film, such as the miniature set for the sequence at the end involving "Klownzilla", which was played by one of the brothers in a suit when a lack of time meant it couldn't be done with stop motion. The film was distributed by Trans World Entertainment, which is probably more known for the credit scandal that bankrupted them in the 1990s rather than their feature films, which apparently didn't help the fate of this film on initial release. However, time has been extremely kind to this film to the point that plans for a follow-up or even a video game based on the film have been in talks for years; the Chiodo brothers have kept busy from time to time on certain jobs, whether that involved the opening sequence for Elf (2003) or Alien Xmas (2020).
It is the kind of film you watch for the goofy charm that emanates in seemingly every scene, one that manages the tightrope act of strait-laced folks engaging with a high body count that arises from the alien threat that have such a wonderful look to them. Apparently, the look was so good that some of the costuming would be re-used for Ernest Scared Stupid (1991). I think the feature manages such a breezy and enjoyable atmosphere because it doesn't stumble in being exactly what you would think comes from a movie that sees folks driving in an ice cream truck in the belief that they could attract girls or clowns doing shadow puppets to a crowd that later eats them. The funny thing is that when compared to something like the B-movie tribute Night of the Creeps (1986), Killer Klowns strikes for an even more obvious tone but somehow proves more successful in general enjoyment. It has a feeling of an offbeat cartoon at times within its look that comes with scenes shot involving the lair of the Klowns (which involve plenty of cocoons). I had a feeling there was going to be a gag or two involving klowns and gags, and sure enough, I enjoyed chuckling at a live balloon dog. Honestly, I can at least see why someone would be afraid of a clown even it sounds a bit silly (as a kid, I had other fears, like the 20th Century Fox opening or, uh, sunflowers). The main trio (Cramer-Snyder-Nelson) is charmingly one-note, managing to not distract the proceedings while inspiring a few light moments of banter. They may be vaguely young adults, but they are tolerable young adults. If there ever was an actor who rolled right along with being the hardass to play for laughs, Vernon would be the one to cite in the best of ways, all things considered. Siegel and Licassi make for a few relief moments of chuckles (well, the whole film is full of them, but still). The climax is goofy and about on par when you have a man in a suit and a big top to go with pies. In general, the 88-minute runtime is efficient for a charming feature of gnarly klowns creating havoc is one that proves that sometimes you really can catch lightning in a bottle when it comes to slasher amusement with the enduring element of energetic imagination above all else.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
Next up: Hammer strikes double with Dracula and Frankenstein...1970 style.
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