Inquiring Minds: KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE (1988)

This is the column that digs into the science fiction lover’s world, tackling some of the most complex and perplexing that content allows. Is it weird? Most likely. Do we love it? Yes! It’ll likely be thought-provoking, and potentially illuminating. Intriguing minds unite for the weirdest Film Inquiry Column yet.

Science fiction often invokes thoughts of profound themes, but there’s a delightful comedic side to this genre as well. Sometimes, it takes the form of dark, bizarre humor.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space is a cult classic that I’ve been meaning to revisit for some time. This 1988 blood-soaked candy-coated journey is undeniably silly, yet it stands as a uniquely entertaining and kooky experience. If you can suspend disbelief (and you absolutely should), you’ll revel in the vibrant extraterrestrial chaos it offers.

Can You Say Campy?

On an ordinary night when teenagers Mike (Grant Cramer) and Debby (Suzanne Snyder) witness something falling from the sky, curiosity leads them to what appears to be a circus tent. However, what’s inside would make even those without a strong aversion to Pennywise want to flee. When they try to alert the local police, they come across as scared and delusional kids. After all, bodies encased in cotton candy?

Deputy Dave (John Allen Nelson) is more understanding and willing to listen, while Deputy Mooney (John Vernon) remains stubborn, his grouchy expression firmly in place. 

Meanwhile, the clown-looking villains are consuming the locals, and when Debby is taken, it is up to Mike to save the day. 

Killer Klowns From Outer Space, directed by Stephen Chiodo and co-written by him and Charles Chiodo, delivers 90 minutes of unbridled amusement. The movie unfolds like a carnival, offering a dazzling spectacle of visuals, but it doesn’t venture much beyond its initial excitement. It’s undeniably an inspired concept, but like indulging in too much sugar, there’s a risk of the initial high fading away.

The practical effects and costume design in the film are a glorious delight. Everything is exaggerated to create a vibrant, nightmarish circus world. While the acting is expected in B-movies, the creativity shines through, resulting in a visual feast of absurd proportions. The funhouse and bodies contained in pink sugar may seem like too much, but in the world of Killer Klowns, the excess is all part of the fun.

As these space invaders indulge their destructive tendencies and consumption of humanity, our heroes attempt to thwart them. The film unfolds in a harmless manner, never quite pushing the audience’s boundaries. Instead, Killer Klowns From Outer Space remains firmly in its bright and goofy lane.

Judging solely by its title and imagery, one might consider this film an easy pass. However, Killer Klowns From Outer Space rightfully earns its place in the annals of sci-fi lore for a good reason.

Now, let’s talk about these creatures. Oversized heads, enormous limbs, and obnoxious attire have our Klowns dressed in frenzied colors. Even their gadgetry seems composed from a child’s perspective laden with more bright hues and creative flourishes.

Tonally, the film occasionally feels like a wobbly carnival ride, but the sets and the kill designs are a standout. While the acting may not be entirely convincing, the meticulous attention to artistic detail creates an immersive experience, making it feel as though we’re all inside a maddening funhouse.

Conclusion:

Killer Klowns From Outer Space is an amusing romp, bound to keep its classic status as it remains an imaginative sci-fi that excels in its effects and costumes bringing this horrifying sideshow to life.

Watch Killer Klowns From Outer Space