Killer Klowns From Outer Space Funny
Vastly entertaining horror comedy.
"Killer Klowns from Outer Space"(1988)by Stephen Chiodo is a horror movie so ridiculous that it's hard to dislike it.What makes it work so well is that it successfully toys with our expectations.Some people just hate clowns,and this movie exaggerates everything that makes them scary.The plot involves some really creepy aliens who look like clowns.They have come to our planet to turn people into food.The clowns capture their victims in cocoons made of cotton candy,their guns look like colorful toy pistols,their pies are acidic,their popcorns turn into snake-like creatures and their ship is a circus tent.Anyway,this crazy film is extremely entertaining.The make-up is beyond grotesque and the clowns look very creepy.The film received a cult status many years ago and it's easy to see why.So if you are a fan of twisted and bizarre horror films give this one a chance.8 out of 10.
55 out of 61 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Seriously deranged cult-stuff!
Yes, this movie really does handle about evil aliens, shaped like clowns, that strand near a remote American village. Their circus tent mysteriously appears in the woods after a meteorite crash and the klowns (yes, with a "k") go on a rampage in the village to turn people into cotton-candy with their funky armory. Their mission is to take the human snacks back to their planet but a team of local dummies makes a counter-attack in their ice cream-truck! This movie unquestionably has the most absurd premise in cinema ever and you either love it or downgrade it as being a ridiculous piece of trash. I am a great fan of this campy horror-comedy flick and I can't possibly say anything negative about it. My best defense for this movie would be that it is an ingenious and successful attempt to parody and homage the 50's and early 60's SF classics in which paranoid people witnessed alien-invasions from all over the universe. But actually, the silliness of this movie doesn't require justification at all. It feels like the idea started out as a joke between 3 brothers and eventually it resulted in a long-feature film. The acting isn't very impressive (apart from veteran actor John Vernon in a great 'angry old copper'-role) and the dialogues are unimaginably dumb. On the other hand, the clown-costumes are terrific and the least you can say about the plot-twists is that they're creative (a Godzilla-clown, anyone??). So, in case you have only the tiniest sense of morbid humor in you, I strongly recommend tracking down this "Killer Klowns from Outer Space". It will, without a doubt, be one the most bizarre film projects you ever laid eyes on.
80 out of 94 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A bunch of aliens clowning around
When it comes to silly movies, they don't get much sillier than this one. The title says it all, and its clear going into a movie called 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space' that you're not exactly going to be in for a serious ride. To be honest, I can't say I was overly enthused with this Sci-Fi spoof, but it's not hard to see why it's got a cult following. The film takes in the idea of clowns being eerie and frightening, and fuses it with the common theme of aliens coming down from space; thus giving us aliens that look like clowns. For what it is, the film is actually quite inventive; and while much of the action is clichéd and/or samey, it's the little things that ensure it doesn't get boring. As mentioned, the plot follows aliens from space that look like clowns. When their spaceship (a tent) lands in the forest, two kids rush to the police headquarters to tell the law that their town is being invaded. If someone gave me that story, I'd definitely believe it; but the law in this town is slightly more sceptical, and while the kids aren't being believed; the clown population is growing.
One thing I do like about this movie is the special effects. Rather than simply having the clowns being played by men in make-up and baggy clothes, director Stephen Chiodo has opted to make actual suits for the villains. The special effects are a lot like those seen in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice in the same year, and bode well with this absurd plot line. The style of the movie is consistently clown themed, and parts of the film such as the climax on the alien spaceship look great. The acting is typical B-movie, but the movie does benefit from several good performers. The young cast perform well enough with energetic performances that, like the rest of the movie, aren't delivered too seriously; but the standout is veteran actor John Vernon, who is great in the role of the sceptic police officer. The 'horror' in this movie is hardly potent, as much of it is sapped out because of the fact that it's all a big joke - but ideas such as people being cocooned in candy floss or eaten up by a shadow puppet are surreally frightening. Overall, this isn't a favourite of mine; but it offers ninety minutes of good fun and there's no real reason to hate it.
33 out of 37 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A Creative B-Movie
Killer Klowns from Outer Space is an unusual and inventive sci-fi B-Movie about Killer Klowns who invade a town and start viciously killing people. It's original plot and inventive ideas make this an enjoyable movie which doesn't take itself too seriously. Which genre it belongs in borderlines throughout the film. Soemtimes it is pure indulgent comedy, for example Killer Klowns running around with acidic ice-cream sundaes and popcorn ray guns, and wrapping people up in cotton candy cocoons and slurping their blood through twisty straws. But then it isn't really ideal for children and very sensitive viewers, as the added gore, the effectively scary Klown makeup and costuming, and the horrifying ideas make it hard to find it's target audience and definite genre. Most adults can enjoy this without being too grossed-out and scared. However it does stick in your mind, and the Klowns themselves are unnerving and horrific to look at. The goofiness of the story makes it great popcorn fun though, so just take it lightly and enjoy the combination of gore and comedy. The big colourful bright candylike sets and the fantastic Klown technology and surrealism adds more twist to the already freaky premise. The script and acting is just above average, with some good performance and memorable quotes and fun scenes. Killer Klowns from Outer Space is great popcorn-munchin' fun.
48 out of 56 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
I know bad when I see it...
I know bad when I see it. As a MST3K fanatic, I've seen the worst of the worst and loved every minute. I rented Killer Klowns thinking it would be so bad I'd groan and laugh the whole way through.
Gasp, Killer Klowns isn't bad at all- it's creative and funny. This movie doesn't take itself seriously, and that makes for fun time for everyone.
It's a contemporary monster movie with a 1950's Blob-ish feel. The Chiodo Bros. demented sense of humor, simple and coherent plot, kreepy-looking klowns and decent cast of actors makes for an entertaining Friday night movie.Pair this one up with The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra and you've got yourself a great double-feature.
98 out of 115 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Wildly imaginative and quite funny
Some people see Killer Klowns as a great "bad movie," but in spite of its low budget and iffy casting I rate this as a genuine "good movie." Here we have a film that reimagines every aspect of clowning and circuses -- puppet shows, cotton candy, balloon animals -- in terms of homicidal aliens. The level of ingenuity is remarkable, and parts of it are quite funny. This film deserves far more fame that it's gotten and I think it's sad that the Chiodo brothers never made anything else.
35 out of 48 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Deadly funny
A friend of mine does not like comedy in horror. And I know he is not alone with that sentiment. So if you hate that as well, let me tell you: this movie is not for you. It mixes comedy with horror and does quite the swell job when doing so.
The makers of this do not take it seriously either, but they take their craft serious. Well they do try to make the best of it. Whether it is to your taste or not, is a different question alltogether. Good effects for a low budget movie and overall real fun to watch
7 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
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+
82 out of 105 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Funny and Original Silliness
In Crescent Cove, Dave Hanson (John Allen Nelson) and Debbie Stone (Suzanne Snyder) are dating in an isolated place and they see a shooting star crashing in the woods. They decide to look for the place where the star crashed and they find a weird circus tent. Soon they discover that the circus is a spacecraft and the aliens look like clowns. Further many residents were killed and are wrapped in cocoons. They are hunted down by the killer clowns but they succeed to flee. They head to the town and they meet the open-minded Sheriff Mike Tobacco (Grant Cramer), who is Debbie's former boy-friend. His partner, Sheriff Curtis Mooney (John Vernon), does not give credit to the youngsters' words, but Mike goes with Dave to the spot. Soon Mike learns that Dave and Debbie are telling the truth and they decide to protect Debbie. However she has been abducted by the clowns and they team-up with the owners of an ice-cream truck, Rich Terenzi (Michael Siegel) and Paul Terenzi (Peter Licassi) to rescue Debbie from the killer clowns.
"Killer Klowns from Outer Space" is a funny, silly and original cult film that entwines comedy with terror and sci-fi. The bizarre idea of using clowns as alien killers is hilarious; their weapons, dog and spacecraft are very funny. The writer uses Peter Jackson's "Bad Taste" to give a motive for the clowns to come to Earth, i.e., using earthlings as food. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Palhaços Assassinos" ("Killer Clowns")
11 out of 15 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Not a single boring minute in the entire thing
The sexual chemistry between the cop and the boyfriend is so thick you could cut it with a bedazzled knife. The fact that they never end up together is the only real negative here.
14 out of 19 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A must see B movie
Killer Klowns from Outerspace is one of those rare "good B movies." This was the first DVD that I ever owned and I am happy with my purchase because I think the film is enjoyable for several reasons, mainly, the whole plot is original.
Check it out today or else the Klowns will come and get you and turn you into cotton candy. Muhaaa!
10/10 as far as B movies go.
63 out of 90 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Surprisingly Engaging
Considering the usually idiocy of aliens-invading-the-earth movies, I found this film a refreshing example of the genre, if only for the visual design. I appreciated the way the cast and crew played this spoof straight within its farcical settings and managed a pleasant time for this viewer.
3 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Intentional camp that works
Seriously deranged stuff with a ridiculous premise of alien clowns setting up camp near a small town, abducting the local inhabitants and turning them into cotton candy and snacks. Any film with a title like this deserves this amount of attention and it's still a stellar cult favorite in the Midnight- and Bad Movie circuits. Most of the films intentionally made as bad movies or camp usually blow it (like most of Troma's disasters), but this is a surprisingly fun and good-natured homage to some silly sci-fi and horror classics of the fifties like FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956), INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956) and THE BLOB (1958).
Our heroes are Debbie and Dave, two of your typical annoying eighties' youngsters with bad hairdos and less than impressive acting skills, trying to persuade the locals something's seriously wrong here. "Nobody stores Cotton Candy like this", observes Debbie when they enter the alien Klowns' circus tent. Smart girl, but how to get rid of these cosmic bozos. Now, clowns are plain creepy and evil. We all know that. Although the tone is generally tongue-in-cheek, the film does manage to throw in some genuine scares. The make-up fx are very impressive and when these Klowns are on the rampage, they are a seriously scary bunch. Undeniably a campy affair, with its truly off-the-wall premise, cheezy acting and predictable storyline, the whole film is laden with an irresistible charm, nicely complemented with a catchy theme song by cult punk band The Dickies, so eighties and so dated, it was already seriously out of fashion by the time the film was released. Cheezy fun all the way.
Camera Obscura --- 7/10
24 out of 34 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Send in the clowns, don't bother they're here
I was really prepared to trash this film and while Killer Klowns From Outer Space is hardly Citizen Kane it's actually a pretty fair satire of these science fiction films so popular in the 50s about alien invasion.
A spaceship lands and it looks like a circus tent. The aliens landing look like circus clowns and their weapons look like burlesque type weapons. They start reeking havoc on the nearby small town before anyone really notices.
The purpose it looks like was to replenish the food supply as they zap humans and kill them with the bodies stored for preservation in these cocoons made out of a cotton candy like substance. They must have seen and memorized the Kelvin cookbook on how to serve man.
John Allen Nelson and girlfriend Suzanne Snyder are the first to discover them and live and they go to Deputy Sheriff Grant Cramer who is Snyder's former boyfriend for help. Later on they rope in these two ding-a-lings who have an ice cream truck the Tirenzi Brothers. These two make Bill and Ted look as sophisticated as Noel Coward.
Royal Dano as a farmer and John Vernon as another sheriff's deputy have roles that you can see these two are enjoying overacting to the hilt. Their encounter with the clowns end badly, but are funny as all get out.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space has a dopey infectious charm to it just like the Bill&Ted films. I don't think one can help but like it.
12 out of 19 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
fun deliberate B-movie
Aliens have landed in the woods outside of Crescent Cove. Farmer Gene Green and his dog Pooh Bear investigate and find a circus tent structure. They are taken by scary clown-like aliens. Mike Tobacco and Debbie Stone are making out at the wooded teen hangout. They follow the streak in the sky and find the circus tent. They go inside to find strange weird things and people cocooned in cotton candy. They manage to escape from the alien clowns and their myriad of circus gadgets. They tell ex-boyfriend police deputy Dave Hanson but old timer Curtis Mooney dismisses them.
The title says "Killer Klowns from Outer Space". It delivers exactly what one expects. It's very stupid and has complete fun doing it. It doesn't give anything more or better. The actors are not the top tier. This isn't really scary unless one has a fear of clowns. One can have fun with all the ridiculous ideas.
5 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Cheesy and delicious
This is one of my favorite movies. I never realized how funny the word "cocoons" could be until I watched this movie. :o) It's quite cheesy, but really, would that be a surprise to anyone? The movie is full of great one-liners and the Klowns are TOTALLY creepy! You sure do feel justified if you don't like clowns after watching this movie! "See?! I TOLD you clowns were evil!!" :o) Some of the effects are kind of...well, 80-ish, but hey, what do you expect? But like other B movie classics, this movie withstands the test of time. Between this, Clash of the Titans, and maybe even a little Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, you're set for a night of full blown cheese-o-rama! When it was released on DVD I snatched it right up! The DVD has some really great extras as well, so give it a shot! It's a great, goofy movie to watch...but maybe you want to hold off on the popcorn...
27 out of 34 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Killer Klowns is kind of kool
Killer Klowns from Outer Space knows what it is-a silly B-movie featuring goofy gimmicks and a hokey story. The actors also seem to be in on the joke, which means none of them are taking it seriously, either. This movie is an enjoyable, ridiculous ride and features some impressive visual effects for having such a small budget. Killer Klowns is kind of kool.
4 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Those who don't like killer clowns from outer space are just clowns🤡
Great Low-budget movie.
When you Watch it you should not take it serious it's not a masterpiece.
You don't like fun if you don't like killer clowns from outer space, it's so entertaining and cool.
It's some pretty good acting for a movie like this it's pretty hard to act really good in a b-horror comedy Because the script isn't really that amazing. But overall a really good movie and i recommend watching it with friends🔪🤡
5 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A cult favorite
Blood-drinking killer clowns from outer space terrorize a small town. They shoot at people with guns that let out popcorn instead of bullets. They also capture them and keep them captive in cotton candy cocoons for later feedings. Mike (Grant Cramer), girlfriend Debbi (Suzanne Snyder) and policeman Dave (John Allen Nelson) try to stop them and save the town.
The premise is ridiculous...but this film never really takes itself too seriously. The jokes are sometimes predictable but, more often, very clever and original. Also there are some very inventive, funny ways people are captured. But I can't say I really loved this movie.
It is camp but the humor has a very cruel edge to it. People are killed pretty viciously and there's nothing funny about that. The clown makeup is downright horrifying and their laughs are nightmare inducing.
It was made on no budget but there are some truly impressive sets and costumes--it LOOKS like a big-budget film. Most of the acting is OK. Snyder makes a very appealing heroine and Nelson is very good as a straight arrow cop. Cramer is the only disappointment--he overacts WAY too much.
I'm giving it a 7 but I can't honestly say I liked this. It was a bit too dark and cruel for me--but others might like that.
12 out of 25 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Great sci-fi camp.
bux 29 October 1998
This almost looks as good as something that came out of the 50s, but alas, it is in color. Just when you think the makers might be serious, they get stupid and you know it's all in fun. In 1954, Sterling Hayden uttered the famous line in "Johnny Guitar", "All a real man needs is a cup of coffee...and a good smoke. Well amended for the nineties, a real man would do well with this flick and a cold six pack!
20 out of 38 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
So Bad So good
This movie is pretty cool if you're looking B-Horror movie from the 80's. It's so bad that it's good. Perfect to watch with friends on a Friday night.
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Simply stated: its stupid, but fun
Stupid, and with many flaws, but by all means a weird and entertaining blast, Killer Klowns shines as a B movie treasure that is simply everything you can ask for in a good bad movie. The acting is, needless to say, not great, but the performances are just over the top enough that the film is simply a joy to watch, and interesting enough to follow most characters. The only performance I found to be truly annoying was John Vernon and his character of Mooney, who just seemed to be a part of the plot for the Klowns sake and truly contributed nothing to the film worthwhile, but being an asshole. The film is surprisingly well scored, and its music is not just a good addition to the film, but also quite catchy. The makeup and costumes are amusing and though at times they move like animatronics, provide a very appealing creepy feeling that I haven't seen in a film since Gremlins. In the end, Killer Klowns from outer space is not a very good film, but it is certainly a fun time. It's a joy to watch, from the Klowns themselves (although their voices are pretty annoying from time to time), to the plot unfolding around our main characters, to the music, and to the scenery. The film is an entertaining B movie classic, and a must see for fans of enjoyable bad films. My Rating: 8/10
3 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Irresistible horror comedy.
"Killer Klowns from Outer Space" is an instant cult film, that kind of thing that just has fun being a B movie with a nifty premise. It's very well paced & frequently funny, and features some amazing circus-style visuals and old school special effects. The cast couldn't be more engaging, and you just know that you're going to be in for a good time when you hear the strains of the theme song sung by The Dickies. The art direction (by Philip Dean Foreman), production design (by Charles Chiodo), and cinematography (by Alfred Taylor) are delightful.
The title very much tells you the whole story: evil alien clowns set up tent in the woods near a small California town and proceed to terrorize the inhabitants. Grant Cramer ("New Year's Evil", "Hardbodies") is the likable, goofy lead Mike Tobacco, lovely Suzanne Snyder ("Return of the Living Dead Part II", "Weird Science") his girlfriend Debbie Stone, and John Allen Nelson ("Hunk") the heroic Officer Dave Hanson. Also along for the ride are grouchy cop Curt Mooney, hilariously played by John Vernon, and the bumbling Terenzi brothers Rich (Michael Siegel) and Paul (Peter Licassi). Screen veteran Royal Dano has a nice, brief bit as a flustered farmer.
The Chiodo brothers Charles, Edward, and Stephen are primarily effects people (they designed the title creatures for the "Critters" series) who score a knock out with this first filmmaking effort. Sure, it may not be a great *film*, really, but it is truly great entertainment, with the Chiodos keeping their tongues firmly in their cheeks throughout and offering some enjoyable macabre spins on such circus / clown staples as popcorn, cotton candy, balloon animals, and shadow puppets. It may be a little intense for the youngest of viewers (the scene with Dave, Mooney and a clown in the police station is creepy) but this could easily appeal to kids. It's an agreeable 87 minutes of deliberately cheesy entertainment.
A young Christopher Titus can be seen in the small role of Bob McReed.
Let's hope that the sequel can become a reality.
Eight out of 10.
3 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Charlie Caroli's ugly brothers...
No self-respecting movie nut can pass up the opportunity to watch a cult classic with such a daft title as this (regardless of the disgusted looks he receives from his nearest and dearest), but it was with a sense of 'why do I put myself through this?' that I settled down to watch Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Certainly, if you're not the type who's prepared to expose yourself to a piece of work that has no chance of being well-made art then you won't make it to the end of this one. But, while this film is not particularly good, it does possess the high-spirited exuberance of a film that deliberately sets out to be as stupid as it possibly can.
Filled with bright primary colours, the film eschews the usual dark shadows of its genre in order to play on many people's childhood (and adult, in some cases) fear of clowns. The ones in this film – aliens who have stopped by for a snack during their travels – certainly won't cure anyone of their phobia: they have to be some of the most evil-looking clowns in cinema history, and there is something undeniably creepy about those permanent smiles fixed to their faces as they carry out all manner of dubious acts. Perhaps the most inventive of these is the clown who entrances a small crowd by casting various shadows on a wall, the last of which is a dinosaur that promptly devours its audience.
The plot – such as it is – is reminiscent of those old sci-fi b-movies in which some out-of-the-way desert town is threatened by aliens or insects made large by unhealthy doses of radiation. It's definitely at its best when allowing the events on screen to supply the sense of comedy rather than trying to use comic characters like the dopey friends in the ice cream van to create laughs. For a twenty-odd year old low-budget movie the effects are OK, and the producers have to be congratulated on making good use of limited funds.
For all the modest praise I've given Killer Klowns from Outer Space, it's not a movie I'm likely to watch again, which makes it not so much a guilty pleasure as a guilty distraction that can now be easily ignored.
3 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
valerioinglacrievor.blogspot.com
Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095444/reviews?spoiler=hide&dir=desc&ratingFilter=0
0 Response to "Killer Klowns From Outer Space Funny"
Post a Comment