Killer Klowns from Outer Space – 1988

Movie reviews for the masses

I just had two Netflix “horror” debacles in a row. Can we make it three? Or can I kill the kurse? Right off the bat, the opening credits and music were awesome… promising! Well, there was no mystery about this plot – the title pretty much tells it all. Something fell out of the sky and was seen by some kids and an old farmer – Gene Green. The name is a play on mister Green Jeans. Hey did you know he was really Frank Zappa’s dad? Not really, but a cool urban legend. Anywho, Gene Green is played by Royal Dano, and good Lord does he ham up this one – it’s frickin’ hilarious! He’s the first to find the Klown’s spaceship, which looks like – what else – a circus tent. That old fool Gene is too nosey so you know what’s going to happen – he’s a goner.

Seeing the teenagers was bizarre – those 1980s huge glasses and huge hairdos – man who ever thought that was a good look? Ridiculous! Two of them, lead characters Mike, played by Grant Cramer, and Debbie, played by Suzanne Snyder, also found the circus tent spaceship and ventured inside, finding a huge structure with multi-levels. Discovering poor ol’ Gene’s body encased in a cotton candy cocoon (the theme continues), they got chased by one of the klowns who shot living popcorn at them as they escaped.

They ran to the police to report the danger, and then it really got good.  We met John “Dean Wormer” Vernon as deputy Mooney – woooo!! Dean Wormer makes a great cop! “You little shit!” Every scene and every line from Vernon was gold, Jerry. Gold!

The kid Mike was a very annoying character – I hoped he got the candy cocoon sooner rather than later. But dang it, he survived the first encounter.

Just a general comment throughout this movie – the music was killer! Take a few more hits and enjoy the show.

I hoped Dean Wormer lasted through this movie, he’s fantastic! “You little fart!”

No need to go into too much detail, but you can pretty much imagine the Klowns were in town to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and they are all out of bubblegum! There’s another incredibly hammy performance by the old coot playing the pharmacy owner. Must’ve been a competition with Gene Green.

Dean Wormer does a great one eyebrow lift – maybe he learned it from John Belushi whilst filming Animal House.

So halfway through this movie, I got a craving for popcorn – I wonder why?? Pause for popping!

Ah the shadow puppets scene – I knew that was going to end badly for the spectators. And of course, there had to be a klown kar scene.

Well, all good things must come to an end. We knew Dean Wormer wasn’t going to last, but he finally got the double secret probation. He went out with trademark dignity and a feisty “Fuck you!!” to the klowns.  His last scene did not disappoint.

No need to write anything more on this one – I broke the Netflix horror kurse – just watch it. A size 24 klown shoe out of 28.

Let me have it!