7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A spaceship that looks like a circus tent lands in a field near a small town, signaling the attack of deviant, red-nosed, balloon-twisting psychos from another world who plan to annihilate mankind by turning people into cotton candy! Luckily, the town's teen citizenry decides to fight back and teach the cosmic bozos a lesson.
Starring: Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson, John Vernon (I), Michael S. SiegelHorror | 100% |
Supernatural | 20% |
Dark humor | 11% |
Teen | 6% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Box office reports are a little hazy with 1988’s “Killer Klowns from Outer Space,” but one source lists a $352 gross for the feature. And yet, while offered no opportunity to prove itself during its limited theatrical release, the picture has managed to build an incredible fan base thanks to early video offerings and cable showings. The brand weirdly keeps getting bigger as the years pass, with plenty of merchandise for sale to maintain “Klowns” visibility, and there’s even a video game due for release in 2024, allowing the faithful to return to the source, offered a chance to go head-to-head with the multicolored menace. And why does this endeavor remain so beloved? The Chiodo Brothers. The creators of “Killer Klowns from Outer Space,” the siblings display their technical expertise with special effects and show their love of B-movies with the effort, which offers a sometimes wonderful level of genre invention. And now, after many Blu-ray releases, the circus aliens with a wild sense of dark humor return to disc with a UHD presentation that’s meant to bring out the best of this colorful, playful dosage of nightmare fuel.
Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray
After years on Blu-ray, "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" makes the jump to UHD, listed in press information as a "New 4K scan of the original camera
negative." The Dolby Vision viewing experience works very well with the movie, which offers a defined palette to explore when it comes to circus-based
horror. The Klowns look terrific, retaining distinct pinks, yellows, and blues throughout, creating a defined appearance when situated around more
Earthly locations. Human activity remains natural, including skin tones and costumes, which delivers brighter primaries. Blacks remains deep,
preserving frame information with evening adventures. Highlights are tasteful, offering a richer glow for spacecraft tours. Detail is strong, exploring
rubbery Klown textures. The softness of cotton candy cocoons is also inviting. Skin particulars are secure on the cast. Interiors
retain decorative additions and spaceship expanse. Exteriors are deep. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track is primarily a frontal affair, with clear dialogue exchanges from panicking humans, while alien chirps are also defined. Scoring favors a simple synth sound, but dramatic support is present, with some moments of sharp emphasis. Soundtrack offerings provide a more volatile rock presence, with decent instrumentation and vocals. Surrounds explore musical moods and some atmospherics, but remain mild. Low-end has a few moments of alien ship rumble, but it's rarely challenged in full. There's a brief, awkward audio edit at 1:43, but this appears to be an inherent issue.
The cult audience for "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" has been loyal over the years, following the feature's journey on home video for decades. 4K is the next level of presentation for the movie, and the inherent colorfulness of the cinematography and imagination of the filmmakers does very well here, offering fans a brighter, richer study of oddball alien activity and broadly performed human panic.
1988
4 Exclusive Mondo Cards + Alien: Covenant Movie Cash
1988
1988
1988
1988
Remastered
1988
1988
Remastered
1988
Director's Cut
1986
1988
1986
1953
2013
Collector's Edition
2006
1958
Warner Archive Collection
1951
2K Restoration
1958
Standard Edition
1953
Special Edition | The Creeping Unknown
1955
1958
2015
1964
1986
1996
1990
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1977
2015
2019