Killer Klowns from Outer Space Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video's Blu-ray presentation of "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" impresses with a meticulously restored 1080p transfer. The AVC encoded video maintains the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and draws from a 4K scan of the 35mm camera negative, processed on a Lasergraphics Director Scanner at EFilm, Burbank. Subsequent grading and restoration work performed at R3store Studios, London, ensured thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches were addressed using advanced digital restoration techniques.

The result is a vivid and engaging visual experience that captures the film's characteristic aesthetic. The transfer notably enhances detail levels, with the bright candy-colored palette and bold primaries rendered beautifully. This version also offers a warmer and more naturally resolved grain field. Fine details in the grotesque clown faces are now strikingly palpable, capturing the makeup’s intricate textures vividly. Solid black levels enhance the theatrical quality of scenes with minimal backdrops, ensuring a more immersive viewing experience.

Overall, Arrow Video's restoration brings new life to "Killer Klowns from Outer Space," highlighting both the film's striking production design and its low-budget charm. The film's quirky, over-the-top visuals are faithfully preserved and revitalized, offering fans a definitive visual presentation that complements the enhanced audio remastering.

The audio presentation of "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" on Blu-ray offers LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. The LPCM 2.0 mix presents a straightforward yet effective rendering of the film's sound design elements, free of any noticeable age-related degradation. Dialogue remains clear and well-prioritized, while both sound effects and score exhibit satisfactory spatial activity. In contrast, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provides a more immersive experience, albeit inconsistently. Surround channels sometimes enhance the zany effects and iconic score, adding depth to specific scenes.

Some technical details remain a point of contention, particularly regarding synchronization. Loose sync issues occasionally appear, likely stemming from less-than-perfect post-production looping rather than any flaw in the transfer itself. This element may even add a layer of nostalgia for some viewers, reminiscent of the film’s charmingly low-budget special effects. Despite these minor shortcomings, the overall audio quality is enhanced by the higher bit rate encoding, ensuring a cleaner and more dynamic listening experience.

In summary, while both audio tracks have their merits, they cater to different audience preferences. The LPCM 2.0 track provides consistent clarity and balance, making it ideal for those seeking a faithful reproduction of the original soundscape. Meanwhile, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track offers moments of heightened immersion and excitement, aligning perfectly with the film's quirky and energetic nature. This audio presentation, coupled with Arrow Video's meticulous restoration efforts, solidifies this Blu-ray edition as a must-have for fans of the cult classic.

The Blu-ray extras for "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" deliver an exceptional, comprehensive collection for fans and scholars alike. The newly produced segments like "Let the Show Begin" provide contemporary insights, while "The Chiodos Walk Among Us" and the full selection of the Chiodo Brothers' early films offer an intimate look at their formative influences and works. Notable archival pieces like "The Making of Killer Klowns" and "Visual Effects with Gene Warren, Jr." delve into the practical and creative processes behind the film's production. Additional exclusive features include interviews, commentary tracks, bloopers, image galleries, and deleted scenes, enhancing the understanding and appreciation of this cult classic’s creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Let the Show Begin: New interview with the Dickies' Leonard Graves Phillips and Stan Lee.
• The Chiodos Walk Among Us: Retrospective with the Chiodo Brothers.
• Chiodo Brothers Early Films: Complete early works by the Chiodos.
• Bringing Life to These Things: 2014 tour of the Chiodo Brothers' production facility.
• Killer Interviews: In-depth 2014 interviews with cast members.
• The Making of Killer Klowns: Archival documentary on the film's production.
• Visual Effects with Gene Warren, Jr.: Archival piece featuring Charles Chiodo.
• Kreating Klowns: Archival piece on creature fabrication.
• Komposing Klowns: Interview with composer John Massari.
• Behind the Screams with the Chiodos: Archival footage and candid moments.
• Klown Auditions: Original audition footage.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes with optional commentary.
• Killer Bloopers: Collection of outtakes.
• Image Galleries: Stills, behind-the-scenes photos, concept art, and storyboards.
• Trailer: Original film trailer.
• Audio Commentary with the Chiodo Brothers.

"Killer Klowns from Outer Space" presents a delightful paradox: a low-budget horror-comedy that successfully marries absurdity with entertainment. The film follows the outlandish premise of extraterrestrial clowns invading Earth to harvest humans, with teenage protagonists vainly attempting to alert the local authorities. Directed by the Chiodo Brothers, this cult classic features creative practical effects and a playful narrative that contrasts its modest production values. The movie is unabashedly campy, yet it gains charm from its enthusiastic execution and inventively grotesque visuals, making it a guilty pleasure for genre enthusiasts.

This specific Blu-ray release boasts a stellar 4K restoration derived from the original camera negative, offering a significant upgrade in video quality compared to its 2012 counterpart. The film's vibrant color palette, crucial for its carnival-like aesthetic, benefits immensely from the enhanced clarity and detail, making the grotesque costumes and sets pop with newfound life. Audio improvements are also noteworthy, providing a robust, clear soundtrack that complements the film's peculiar atmosphere. The inclusion of the Chiodo Brothers' commentary, filled with humorous anecdotes and production missteps, enriches the viewing experience by offering fans an insightful behind-the-scenes look.

Overall, "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" endures as an entertaining relic of '80s schlock, rendered even more enjoyable through its high-quality Blu-ray treatment. This release not only preserves but enhances the film's quirky charm, making it an essential addition to any cult movie aficionado's collection.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space on Blu-ray receives a remarkable treatment, perfect for both longtime fans and new viewers alike. Arrow Video's Special Edition release offers a stellar upgrade in both picture and sound quality. The film’s 4K restoration brings out the campy, colorful chaos of the killer klowns with an impressive level of clarity and vibrancy that surpasses previous releases. The audio mix, significantly improved, enhances the chaotic circus-inspired score and sound effects, making the overall viewing experience much more immersive.

Arrow Video has bundled this Blu-ray with a solid array of special features, including behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews with the Chiodo Brothers, an insightful audio commentary, and a wealth of other supplements. These bonuses delve deep into the film’s production, providing fans with a comprehensive look at the creativity and effort behind this cult classic. Navigation through the menus is intuitive, and the packaging itself is stylishly designed, complete with striking new artwork that pays homage to the film’s uniquely bizarre charm.

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.