Killer Klowns From Outer Space - Does Clowns Right

Killer Klowns From Outer Space is decidedly a b-movie. The story beats are cliche, the plot's ridiculous and the acting isn't the best. But I love it. Most of the film follows the killer klowns simply - being killer clowns, whilst our leads decide quite late that they really should save Blonde Love Interest. (Actually called Debbie, played by Suzanne Snyder.) What makes it interesting is the creative ways the klowns kill people, with effects that aren't half-bad. Its whacky and tongue in cheek and that's what makes it work - no one's taking it seriously with that title.

Our characters aren't the most interesting, or believable as teenagers. There's the love triangle, in which Dave (John Allen Nelson) isn't particularly trying to win back Debbie, our comic relief sidekicks and the cop we're glad to see go. (And I do love a decidedly on the nose foreshadowing line!) To be far, the script doesn't give Debbie much to do than play the damsel in distress, and the boys work of each other great. As soon as they're working together, they have a fun banter. Almost too fun; I feel like Debbie could be the one ending the film single. The point is their not unbearably stupid or annoying, and I'd totally watch them in a follow up.

But we're not here for the teenagers. We're here for the clowns, who all look fantastic in practical effects. This film knows how to do scary clowns in that...they're pretty much clowns. The wrinkles are exaggerated, but they keep the same crazy colours, hairstyle and make-up. These are the things that make people scared of clowns, not that Cloyne mess from 2014's Clown. The silk costumes add to it all, completing the 'scared of the birthday clown' feeling that most caulrophobia seems to stem from. They're exaggerated in just the right ways to make them creepy, and not ridiculously over the top like in American Horror Story. It's the traditional aspect that make them work, and their strange alien language that adds to it. And even if you're not scared of them, its entertaining to watch the various ways they rack up the kills - whether it be shadow-puppetry, pies or cotton candy. And despite all the craziness, there's still a rather tense moment where you don't want the clown to snatch up that little girl.

It's this that makes the film a good b-movie. It's creative and having fun with all the off-the-walls idea that makes it a labour of love and a cult classic.

The clown spaceship is done with this same tongue-in-cheek humour. It feels like it was filmed in a play-area, whilst still managing to maintain a somewhat-tense atmosphere. Things get exciting, at least, and the return of the ice cream truck is so absurd that you just have to get into the spirit of it.

Honestly, the only thing the film does wrong is kill off the dog. It automatically deducts points from it in my book.

Killer Klowns isn't a good movie, but its an enjoyable one. If you're in the mood for cheesey acting, creative kills and just the right amount of creepiness in your clowns (because those huge hands in those white gloves are cringe-inducing), then its the film for you.

Not good, but enjoyable, and that's what counts.

(And it has a great theme song!)