For the most part, sharpness appeared positive. A smidgen of softness occasionally interfered with wide shots, but those issues remained minor, so the movie usually appeared distinctive and detailed.
The image suffered from no problems with jagged edges or shimmering, and it also lacked edge enhancement. Grain remained appropriate, and the image showed no print flaws.
Colors came across as very good. The film utilized a fairly broad palette, and the Blu-ray replicated those tones with accuracy and vivacity.
Blacks seemed similarly tight, and shadows showed reasonable clarity. This was a consistently appealing transfer.
Audio quality continued to seem strong. Dialogue could be a little edgy at times, but given its age, speech felt reasonably natural and concise.
Effects sounded pretty tight, with surprisingly good impact. Music also showed nice presence and range. Nothing about the mix floored me, but it worked well for a movie of this one’s vintage and budget.
Among the set’s extras, we begin with an audio commentary from writer/director Stephen Chiodo, writer Edward Chiodo and production designer Charles Chiodo. Recorded for a 2001 DVD, all three sit together for a running, screen-specific look at story/characters, locations and production design, effects, music, cast and performances, and challenges related to the movie’s low budget.
Though this never becomes a scintillating track, the Chiodos seem affable and honest enough to make it enjoyable. They cover a pretty good array of topics and allow this to turn into a useful commentary.
A few featurettes follow, and we start with Let the Show Begin!, a 10-minute, 38-second piece with musicians Leonard Graves Phillips and Stan Lee. They tell us a little about their band the Dickies as well as their work on the theme song. We get a good selection of insights from the rockers.
For a look behind the scenes of the Chiodo brothers’ early work, we go to The Chiodos Walk Among Us. It goes for 23 minutes, 41 seconds and delivers comments from Stephen Chiodo, Charles Chiodo, and Edward Chiodo.
As expected, they tell us of their youthful interest in films and take us through many of their early efforts. We get a good impression of their roots in this engaging and informative piece.
Under Chiodo Brothers Early Films, we find six of those efforts. This collection includes 1967’s Land of Terror (7:38), 1968’s Beast from the Egg (7:26), 1970’s Africa Danny (16:58), 1971’s Eskimo (7:03), 1972’s Sludge Grubs (6:54) and 1974’s Free Inside (12:20).
We already see some of this material in “Walk Among Us”, but it’s great to watch the movies in their entirety. Of course, they’re primitive, but given the Chiodos’ youth and resources, I find the results to seem pretty impressive.
We can view Beast with or without commentary from the Chiodos. They offer some basics about the short but don’t give us a lot of insights.
Next comes a 2014 reel called Bringing Life to These Things. It goes for seven minutes, 58 seconds and features Stephen Chiodo as he gives us a tour of Chiodo Bros. Productions.
The show intermixes archival footage from the Klowns shoot and a glimpse of the Chiodo archives. This turns into a fairly enjoyable view behind the scenes.
Under Killer Interviews, six segments appear. “Tales of Tobacco” (18:01) features actor Grant Cramer, “Debbie’s Big Night” (10:39) offers actor Suzanne Snyder, “The Making of Killer Klowns” (21:40) includes the Chiodo brothers, “Visual Effects” (14:52) brings Charles Chiodo and visual effects supervisor Gene Warren Jr., “Kreating Klowns” (12:50) delivers Charles Chiodo and creature fabricator Dwight Roberts, and “Komposing Klowns” (13:15) involves composer John Massari.
As expected, the first two offer the actors’ perspectives on the shoot, while the rest – all from the 2001 DVD – go over various filmmaking elements. Some include plenty of behind the scenes shots, and “Making” gives a glimpse of the film’s original opening.
Considered as a package, these offer a lot of good information. Plenty of new tidbits emerge, and the vintage footage adds value as well.
Behind the Screams with the Chiodos lasts 29 minutes, 54 seconds and presents raw video clips from aspects of the production. This means any narration comes from the original material, so no new commentary appears.
That works fine, as the circa 1987 thoughts seem satisfying. We see a location scout, aspects of effects creation, and parts of the shoot. This turns into a fun compilation of behind the scenes footage.
After this we find three minutes, 56 seconds of Klown Auditions. We see performers as they work through acting in the massive klown suits. This delivers another useful batch of archival shots.
Two Deleted Scenes follow. “Bad Experience” (2:14) lets Debbie tell us why she doesn’t like clowns, and “Tight Rope” (2:22) offers a little more action during the film’s climax. “Experience” seems largely pointless, but “Rope” brings a moderately fun sequence.
We can view the scenes with or without commentary from the Chiodo brothers. They deliver some basics but don’t offer a lot of concrete information.
A collection of Killer Bloopers runs two minutes, 49 seconds. It’s a pretty standard allotment of goofs and giggles.
Under Image Galleries, we locate four domains: “Stills” (26 images), “Behind the Scenes” (125), “Concept Art” (84) and “Storyboards” (170 across 8 domains). All provide nice elements, though “Concept Art” becomes the most satisfying.
In addition to the film’s trailer, the package concludes with a booklet. It offers a mix of art, credits and an essay from film critic James Oliver. The booklet finishes the set on a good note.
Despite some good effects and a few clever elements, Killer Klowns from Outer Space doesn’t hang together as a movie. It lacks consistency and only sporadically entertains. The Blu-ray presents generally positive picture and audio along with a strong collection of supplements. Fans will enjoy this release, but I admit the film doesn’t do a lot for me.