|
|
Techtite's DVD Reviews! |
"I'm not saying that this film isn't worthy of an extra feature or two. I am, however, griping about how few features are offered on similar films, that are undeniably far better. A film like this, released long before 1978's The In-Laws? ...or Foul Play? ...or What's Up Doc? Shameful." ---from the review
------------- Sidebar :: ------------- Can you believe this is an MGM picture? Well, that's what the opening logo tells us. That may explain why the film was released on DVD, with such a well-known production company behind its distribution. However, if MGM is insistent to release every single one of their best films onto DVD, why don't other studios follow their lead...? Where's classic, under-appreciated comedies like The In-Laws, or Chuck Jones' vastly under-appreciated 1970's cartoon, Rikki-Tikki Tavi? If Killer Klowns can get a DVD this thorough, so can they. Please?
Equally amusing about this DVD is its hidden features. This includes a short audition video of the mimes (or whomever) that would play the "klowns," though it also includes a way-too-short, scene with John Vernon saying "Holy Smoke," that doesn't make any sense to have included at all, even on a hidden feature. Wierd.
----------------- Feel free to contribute. As always, review submissions are accepted! ------------------
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Killer Klowns from Outer Space!
Click picture to order this DVD A Techtite ReviewThe Film : You have to love any movie, whose whole premise is easily told in the movie title. From The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain, to Dude, Where's My Car? there are few films that can pull off such a title and be worth seeing. However, don't let the simple title Killer Klowns From Outer Space --or the obvious premise-- fool you. This is actually a very amusing, dark-humor ridden, sci-fi thriller, that is probably one of the most amusing members of the "so bad it's actually good" film category. The story involves a UFO crash, which is filled with...well, you know: Killer "Klowns" from outer space. The human heroes are Mike (Grant Cramer) and Debbie (Suzanne Snyder), who are perhaps the only people who've seen the clowns and have yet to be killed by them. The clowns, you see, are on Earth to abduct humans for carnival food, or something to that effect. Their toy pistols zap the victim into a cocoon resembling cotton candy, which is taken to the ship, where the human cocoons are then liquidated into food, fuel, or whatever. Bottom line is, these are some really bad, evil clowns, and must be stopped! That won't be easy, of course. The sheriff in town is Animal House's infamous "Dean Wormer," John Vernon, who is not too amused by kids storming into his precinct talking about Killer Klowns From Outer Space. Equally unsupportive is, well, just about everybody, with the exception of three friends of Mike and Debbie's...only one of which isn't a total geek. Obviously, they all have their work cut out for them, though as in any B-movie, they save the day against incredible odds, just the same. The true fun of a film like this is in its innovative concept, right down to its ingenious "sci-fi" versions of classic carnival props. This is all thanks to the "Chiodo brothers," who together wrote, produced, and directed this film. Their manipulations of classic clown sight gags are truly imaginative. Toy bikes, invisible cars, "balloon animals" sent to search for the escaped heroes; these are just three of many visual gags, perfectly orchestrated. Best of all is the way the klowns can be defeated; a method so obvious in clown lore, it is bound to make you laugh. The final result is a film that is silly beyond words, yet still amusing enough to recommend seeing. After all, as I write this, it's approaching the Halloween season, and there's often a need for a dark comedy among all the gore flicks offered on cable TV. If you're into dark humor, and dislike clowns as much as the Chiodo brothers obviously do, I actually recommend you see this film...silly as it is. The DVD : Given how obscure this cult classic of sci-fi is, it's surprising the extras they were able to collate for the DVD version. This includes two deleted scenes (!), including one that seems modeled a lot like Phoebe Cates "Why I hate Christmas" scene from Gremlins, when Debbie recounts a tale from childhood, telling why she hates clowns so much. A second deleted scene is an extension of the heroes' escape from the circus/spaceship, where they must walk through a field of balloons, and even traverse a tightrope. There is even a small clip of bloopers accompanying these deleted scenes; not bad! What's even more surprising are the five featurettes offered on the disc. There's a making-of featurette, a music composing featurette, a visual effects featurette, a concept-to-final-product featurette, and even a featurette of the Chiodo brothers' earlier films. This latter featurette is of short home movies the brothers did, and is offered similar to the home video shorts offered on DVD movies by M. Night Shyamalan, like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. I don't know what possessed me to mention award-caliber movies like those in a B-grade movie review like this, though so be it. Adding to the fun is an audio commentary by the Chiodo brothers, plus: a storyboard gallery, a photo gallery, and the obligatory theatrical trailer. Topping it all off are two hidden features you can find, by highlighting the two pieces of popcorn to the right of the special features menu. As I said, it's truly amazing how much effort went into this DVD. I'm not saying that this film isn't worthy of an extra feature or two. I am, however, griping about how few features are offered on similar films, that are undeniably far better. A film like this, released long before 1978's The In-Laws? ...or Foul Play? ...or What's Up Doc? Shameful. Oh well; at least "Killer Klown" fans can rejoice, in a truly well made DVD!
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Burnout
Near
Miss
Small
Crater
Large
Crater
Deep
Impact
