Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Killer Klowns from Outer Space Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman April 19, 2018

Here's a little memory buster for some of you. Does the old MGM line of DVDs called "Midnite Movies" ring a bell, and (while we're at it) does anyone remember a little thing called a bookstore, especially bookstores that were part of national chains? My hometown of Portland has probably one of the most famous independent bookstores in the world, the (no pun intended) voluminous Powell’s, which takes up several city blocks and rises several stories, with an almost insane labyrinth of nooks and crannies containing an almost overwhelming selection of books. But for years downtown Portland also had a Borders, a facility I used to visit regularly, especially on weekends when I had daylong gigs as a musician with long breaks in between morning and afternoon sets, necessitating me needing to find someplace to hang out for an hour or two midday. It was during one of these weekly visits to the downtown Portland Borders that I started frequenting a huge pile of bargain DVDs that this particular store had at the entrance to their CD room (don’t ask me why), a pile that regularly contained a lot of the old MGM Midnite Movies line. A probably rash purchase of several of the Midnite Movie titles led to my introduction to Killer Klowns from Outer Space, an unabashedly gonzo offering that may serve as Exhibit A for anyone under the throes of coulrophobia (Google is your friend if you don’t recognize that term). Arrow is bringing back the clowns (klowns?) with a new 4K restoration based off the original camera negative, and with several outstanding new supplements.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space received a previous Blu-ray release in 2012 from Metro Goldwyn Mayer. I always default to the opinion that those coming to reviews for re-releases are more interested in comparisons of video and audio quality, as well as a listing of supplements, rather than a rehash plot points again. I therefore refer you to my colleague Brian Orndorf’s Killer Klowns from Outer Space Blu-ray review of that version for an excellent plot summary.

That said, I’ll second a couple of Brian’s comments in his review, including the fact that Killer Klowns from Outer Space is that rare low budget offering that actually seems to benefit from a lack of funds, with a freewheeling approach that seems to be the cinematic equivalent of those old Judy Garland — Mickey Rooney vehicles where the kids realize they have a vacant barn, so why not put on a show. Also, as Brian mentions in his detailing of the Metro Goldwyn Mayer release’s supplements, the commentary by the Chiodo Brothers (also included on this new release) is a veritable field day of funny mistakes that made it into the film, something the siblings seem positively delighted to point out to fans.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Killer Klowns from Outer Space is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the transfer:

Killer Klowns from Outer Space was exclusively restored by Arrow Films and is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with stereo and 5.1 sound.

The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K resolution on a Lasergraphics Director Scanner at EFilm, Burbank. The film was graded and restored at R3store Studios, London. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches and other examples of film wear were repaired or removed through a combination of digital restoration tools and techniques.

The original stereo soundtrack and 5.1 mix were remastered at Deluxe Audio Services.

All materials for this restoration were made available by MGM.

Despite my little trip down memory lane documenting my purchase of the DVD version of Killer Klowns from Outer Space, I never had the MGM Blu-ray, though it's notable that this release is just ever so slightly wider, recreating the film's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, rather than the MGM's 1.84:1. Doing a cursory comparison of screenshots between Brian's review and mine, though, reveals a rather sizable uptick in detail levels, as well as a better suffused and warmer looking palette and a more naturally resolved looking grain field (compare screenshot 6 from this review with screenshot 3 from Brian's review for just one example). The bright candy colored ambience of the film is beautifully rendered on this new transfer, with the bold primaries contrasting wonderfully with more subtle (if that's an appropriate term, given the general over the top look of the production design) pastels. What really stood out to me, though, was the fine detail on things like the gruesome clown (klown?) faces. Crags, valleys and wrinkles are almost palpable now, and the makeup on the faces really pops incredibly vividly. Black levels are solid as well, making some of the scenes with minimal backdrops (including a couple of moments with absolutely no backdrop) look appropriately theatrical (see screenshot 2 for one example). Some of the effects work shows its limited funding, but that only adds to the charm of this distinctive effort.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Killer Klowns from Outer Space features LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. Brian gave fairly low marks to the MGM release's audio (DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 only), an assessment based in part on some loose sync. There is certainly loose sync here on occasion, but I'm of the opinion it is in fact less than artful post looping, which, kind of like the gum and fishing line special effects (so to speak), only increases this film's charm for me. While the 5.1 mix is not consistently immersive, the score (including the great opening theme) as well as some individual effects (often pretty wacky sounding) do get some placement in the surround channels. The LPCM 2.0 mix provides a problem free rendering of the film's kind of basic sound design elements, with no signs of age related wear or tear.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Let the Show Begin (1080p; 10:38) is an enjoyable new interview with Leonard Graves Phillips and Stan Lee (no, not that one) of the inimitable Dickies, whose theme song gets the film off to such a memorable start.


• The Chiodos Walk Among Us (1080p; 23:41) is a very sweet retrospective featuring the brothers, featuring excerpts from their childhood 8mm "epics", many of which attempted to mimic some their special effects heroes, like stop action icon Ray Harryhausen.


• Chiodo Brothers Early Films presents several of these sweet offerings in their entirety:

  Land of Terror (1967) (1080p; 7:38)

  
  

  Beast from the Egg (1968) (1080p; 7:26) features an optional commentary by the brothers.

  
  

  Africa Danny (1970) (1080p; 16:58)

  
  

  Eskimo (1971) (1080p; 7:03)

  
  

  Sludge Grubs (1972) (1080p; 6:54)

  
  

  Free Inside (1974) (1080p; 12:20)

• Bringing Life to These Things (1080p; 7:58) is a 2014 piece featuring Stephen Chiodo acting as a tourguide for a look at the Chiodo Brothers' production facility.


• Killer Interviews

  Tales of Tobacco (1080p; 18:01) is a 2014 interview featuring Grant Cramer.

  
  

  Debbie's Big Night (1080p; 10:39) is a 2014 interview featuring Suzanne Snyder.

  
  

  The Making of Killer Klowns (1080i; 21:40) is an archival piece with the Chiodo Brothers.

  
  

  Visual Effects with Gene Warren, Jr. (1080i; 14:52) is another archival piece which also features Charles Chiodo.

  
  

  Kreating Klowns (1080i; 12:50) is an archival piece with Charles Chiodo and creature fabricator Dwight Roberts.

  
  

  Komposing Klowns (1080i; 13:15) is an archival interview with composer John Massari.

• Behind the Screams with the Chiodos (1080p; 29:54) is a fun archival piece with lots of candid footage.


• Klown Auditions (1080i; 3:56)


• Deleted Scenes

  Bad Experience (1080p; 2:14) is available with an optional commentary by the brothers.

  
  

  Tight Rope (1080p; 2:22) is available with an optional commentary by the brothers.

• Killer Bloopers (1080i; 2:49)


• Image Galleries

  Stills (1080p)

  
  

  Behind the Scenes (1080p)

  
  

  Concept Art (1080p)

  
  

  Storyboards (1080p)

• Trailer (1080p; 1:53)


• Audio Kommentary with the Chiodo Brothers

By my reckoning, that means only the very brief "Holy Smokes" dubbing supplement from the Metro Goldwyn Mayer release is missing from this one (I'm assuming The Chiodos Walk Among Us incorporates most if not all of the short featurette on the MGM release devoted to their early films, plus this release has entire early films). Additionally, Arrow also includes a folded poster and its typically well appointed insert booklet.

Update: A helpful member has alerted me that the "Holy Smoke" snippet is available as an Easter Egg. I'll let you find it.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Whether you're revisiting Killer Klown from Outer Space after having discovered it long ago as I did, or just coming to it now for the first time, the film is just flat out sweetly silly and ridiculous, with a kind of "by the seat of your pants" production ethos that is positively endearing. Arrow has once again provided fans with a nicely packaged release with great technical merits and fantastic supplements. Highly recommended.