Finally the truth about clowns is out! Beneath their smirky sinister grins and wildly patterned clothes are clever killers from out of this world. The “juxtaposition of their toy-store arsenal and malevolent intent proves to be a tasty combination” (Los Angeles Times) in this killer entertainment that will leave you fearing these big-top creatures for good.
A spaceship — looking 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. But these klowns are no klutzes, turning popcorn, peanuts and caramel corn into playful — but deadly — weapons of madcap destruction and mayhem!
For thoughts on Killer Klowns From Outer Space, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:
Video Quality
Scream Factory presents Killer Klowns From Outer Space with a dynamite 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio sourced from a 4K scan of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. This film was last released on Blu-Ray by Arrow Video in 2018 which was remastered and improved upon the old MGM Blu-Ray. That release was beloved, but it has been out of print for a bit. Not to fear, this new presentation serves as the ultimate visual presentation for this cult classic. This transfer has done an admirable job of cleaning up virtually all print damage with barely a speck remaining. This disc also showcases some magnificent natural film grain which brings out so much distinct texture in the creative production design, the offbeat special effects, and more. This grain resolves well with nothing ever appearing frozen or spiking throughout the consistent nighttime scenes. This disc nails every environmental change with ease.
One of the aspects that will dazzle audiences the most is the vibrant implementation of Dolby Vision which does not falter with its depth and nuance. As you might expect from the title, the bright carnival aesthetic provides a vivid palette of glorious reds, yellows, and blues. There is also a greater accuracy to the more muted colors within the police station. The new presentation reaches a level of accuracy and color detail that likely tops the original prints. Black levels are mostly strong with no blatant crush present, and highlights never get too hot. The special effects are rendered in top form with the stop-motion and optical effects blending seamlessly with the primary footage. Overall, this is by far the best the film has looked on home entertainment, and fans will be thrilled to add it to their collection.
Audio Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with both DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio tracks which capture the material quite well. There has been some debate online over whether or not the stereo track is the original audio or a fold-down of the surround sound track, but we are not familiar enough with the title to be sure. Whatever the case may be, the audio is in really good shape and makes the story feel alive. From the opening notes of the title song forward, you are engulfed in a sonic journey that is free from blatant damage.
The music feels like another character in the film as it establishes the vibe of the story. Even with its prominence, dialogue comes through with impeccable clarity including when chaos ensues. Environmental noises such as crowds on the street or various special effects sounds are given a notable place within the mix. You never have to worry about fidelity when it comes to this one even when things kick into high gear. The low end of the track adds texture for further prominence. Overall, Scream Factory provides a first-rate audio experience for this one. English SDH subtitles are provided for those who want them.
Special Features
Scream Factory has provided Killer Klowns From Outer Space with the option of a sleek new SteelBook featuring animated artwork that is a treat in person. Video of the SteelBook can be found at the top of this review.
- Audio Commentary: The Chiodo Brothers provide a very thorough and entertaining commentary track in which they discuss the production of the film, the origins of the titular song, the performances in the film, real-life details they brought to the film, technical aspects of the production, and so much more that is an absolute delight to delve into for fans.
- The Making of Killer Klowns: A 22-minute archival featurette in which the Chiodo Brothers discuss the creation of the film along with plenty of on-set footage captured during production. You learn a lot about the visual effects work, stunts that went wrong, working with animals, and more.
- Komposing Klowns: A nearly 14-minute interview with composer John Massari in which he discusses first seeing the film, creating an atypical score that would work for the film, blending different sounds, creating music on Halloween, and more.
- Visual Effects with Gene Warren Jr.: A 15-minute piece with the visual effects supervisor and Charles Chiodo in which they discuss the creation of various special effects flourishes in the film.
- Kreating Klowns: A 13-minute featurette with Charles Chiodo and creature fabricator Dwight Roberts that delves into the design element of the film and creative solutions that brought things to life.
- Deleted Scenes: Two scenes totaling five minutes of unused footage are provided here in rough form. These are included with optional audio commentary from the Chiodo Brothers.
- Bloopers: A three-minute collection of ruined takes is included.
- Chiodo Brothers’ Earliest Films: A seven-minute collection of early work from the filmmakers is provided.
- Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
Killer Klowns From Outer Space is an ideal blend of comedy and outrageous horror fun that never takes itself too seriously. The Chiodo Brothers bring a level of craft to the filmmaking that is impressive for newcomers. The story is very straightforward, but the experience of watching this one is such a blast. You do not have a ton of major stars anchoring this endeavor, but it more than gets by without them. This is simply great fun for genre fans. Scream Factory has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that boasts a fabulous A/V presentation and an amazing array of special features that fans will eat up. Even if you already own this one on Blu-Ray, this new presentation brings a whole new life to this film. Highly Recommended
Killer Klowns From Outer Space (Collector’s Edition) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack in a standard version and a Limited Edition SteelBook.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Scream Factory has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
