movie review:Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Chances are, simply reading the title of this movie is going to be a yardstick for exactly how much enjoyment you'll be able to garner from it. Either you're completely turned off by the improper spelling and ridiculous concept, or are inviting your friends over and sticking a batch of popcorn in the microwave. If you're in the latter camp, let me tell you that this film deserves its place towards the top of the "crap" heap. For campy, cheesy, cringe-worthy and other adjectives that begin with "C" (but should probably be spelled with a "K"), you kan't go wrong with Killer Klowns.

I've never been someone to outrightly proclaim that I have a fear of clowns. That being said, I don't think anyone actually likes them. Why would you? I certainly can't see why they would be considered entertaining. I suppose they're a hearken back to the days of court jesters - making a fool of themselves so their masters can feel superior or some nonsense. Heck, even the Three Stooges are funny to some people. As far as the whole red noses and silly jumpsuits go, I'm at a loss. Now that so many horror films have been made involving murderous clowns, the shift from amusing to terrifying seems more like natural territory for anonymous mutes in silly costumes. Credit Killer Klowns for making them look so obviously and outlandishly evil that they actually become hilarious.

The film's premise is simple: a bright flash in the sky signals the landing of an alien craft. When the unsuspecting, innocent townsfolk approach the landing site, they see a large yellow circus tent. One brave couple decides to wander inside what looks like a funhouse but turns out to be the inner-workings of a giant spaceship. Whether it be curiosity or stupidity that leads them to continue their exploration, they soon discover a room filled with hanging pink globs that look suspiciously like cotton candy. Wrapped inside are people, apparently captured and preserved for later consumption. Right on cue, in stumbles one of the alien klowns dressed head to toe in technicolor pajamas. Under a hail of popcorn "gunfire", the couple manages to escape and try to warn the police. Of course, everyone thinks they're crazy and the klowns start a rampage across town armed with ray guns that encase people in cotton candy cocoons.

One of the best things about this film is its visuals. The sets are elaborate art projects and the klown costumes look like what would happen if a thrift store ate a box of SweeTARTS and vomited on the actors. For the year it was made (1988) the special effects are really well done. My favorite scene involves a klown making impossible shadow puppets on a brick wall next to a bus stop. The people waiting nearby are joyfully captivated until the klown turns his hand into a menacing dinosaur with glowing red eyes that, despite being a two-dimensional projection, eats half a dozen people off the sidewalk. The actor's performances are the hidden gem of this movie. From the "teenage" actor's deliberately hokey dialogue to the unnecessarily serious officer Mooney. He delivers some particularly good one-liners, throwing in swear words seemingly at random.

"Killer clowns from outer space" (pause) "holy shit!"