"In Space, No One Can Eat Ice Cream!"

What can I say about this film that hasn't already been said. I've been waiting, and waiting for a DVD release of Killer Klowns ever since my Laser Disc, succumbed to the dreaded Laser Rot. MGM has stepped up to the plate, and has not only finally given us a definitive version of this film, they have basically disguised as a budget title, what is actually a full blown Special Edition!

Killer Klowns tells the tale of, well basically Killer Klowns. These disturbing oversized bundles of joy, who have come to earth for whatever reason, overrun a small town. That's basically it. The thing about Killer Klowns From Outer Space that makes it so awesome (yes, I did just say awesome) isn't necessarily the story, but the execution. Allow me to explain in further detail. If you are one of the few who have not seen this film, you are in for a real treat.

The Killer Klowns, are after all, Klowns, therefore, they do what Klowns do. They have guns that shoot killer popcorn and their captives are held in cotton candy cocoons, and sometimes oversized balloons. To hunt, they use balloon animal dogs to help sniff out their prey. I think you get the point, you have to grab this movie, right now! This film is a childhood favorite of mine, and it still holds up to this day. It's an impressive nod to the classic invasion films of the 50's. We'll probably never see a film made like this again.

Killer Klowns is presented in an anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer, and all I can say is, wow! The film looks better than it ever has. The transfer is near flawless with incredible colors, and not a scratch or a spec to be found.

The sound is Dolby Surround, and does have its problems. Certain scenes (mainly near the opening of the film) appear to be a few seconds out of sync with the picture. This is said to be caused by the low budget origins of the film. I want to stress, this is not a big deal It's barely noticeable, and doesn't last very long. The surrounds are strong and very effective. Aside from the slight sync problem, the sound is more than acceptable.

The unexpected extras are the real treat here. 5 featurettes, (clocks in at well over an hour) trace the evolution of the film, from special effects, to sound, to the creation of the Klowns. The featurettes are very informative and a lot of fun. We are also given 2 deleted scenes (with and without commentary), a short blooper reel, stills, storyboards, a trailer, and an audio commentary! WOW! The commentary is very cool; despite the fact that there are some points repeated from the featurettes. Despite that, there are still plenty of cool anecdotes, which make the commentary essential listening. Absent from the DVD is the video, from the incredible theme song, performed by The Dickies (which found its way onto the previous video, and laser disc edition) Thought to be hidden on the disc, alas, it is not as MGM could not find the time to secure the rights.

If you haven't already, drop everything and pick up this disc. It's easily one of the best genre releases of the year. MGM has done an outstanding job, on a quite often, neglected cult classic. As an added incentive, to further the franchise, the Chiodo Brothers will sign a copy free of charge. Click here for the details.