A One Mann’s Movies review of “Apocalypse Clown” (2023).
My thanks to Vertigo Releasing for shipping a screener my way ahead of the release of “Apocalypse Clown” in UK and Eire cinemas on Friday. For this is a superbly barmy Irish comedy that has enough laugh-out-loud quotes to become an “Airplane!”-style classic!
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Ken, aka Bobo the Clown (David Hume), decides to give clowning up after being fired from his job at a children’s hospital. But when the world faces an apocalyptic event, Bobo must team with fellow clowns Funzo (Natalie Palamides) and Pepe (Fiona Foley) to broadcast the truth to the people of Ireland and win back the love of Jenny (Amy De Bhrún). All while evading pursuing human statues, intent on bloody revenge!
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong language, sex references, drug misuse”.)
Talent:
Starring: David Earl, Natalie Palamides, Amy De Bhrún, Fionn Foley, Tadhg Murphy, Ivan Kaye.
Directed by: George Kane.
Written by: Demian Fox, George Kane, Shane O’Brien & James Walmsley.
Twitter Handle: #ApocalypseClown.
Facing a committed bunch of bed-wetters. Bobo (David Hume), Funzo (Natalie Palamides) and Pepe (Fiona Foley). (Source: Vertigo Releasing).
“Apocalypse Clown” Review:
Positives:
- This was hands-down the funniest comedy I’ve seen in 2033. The script is just stuffed full of WONDERFUL sound-bytes that are endlessly quotable. Here are just a few I jotted down amongst the machine-gun-like gag-fest.
- “Human statues can always wait!”
- I know a wonderful Italian – and he’s got a great little hot dog stand.” (Bobo asking Jenny out on a date)
- (Re drug taking) “Angus Deighton used to call me ‘The Dyson’”
- “We can call ourselves Clown-pedo – you know, like a torpedo of clowns” (Funzo, obviously while waving a knife!)
- “The Afterparty” – used in the same way as “The camping trip” in Gavin & Stacey!
- “You’re such a pretentious wanker”. “I’m self-taught”
- “We’re like ducks… in a vice… Quack!”
- Funzo is a comic work of genius and brilliantly realised by American comedienne Natalie Palamides. First seeing her emerge from a darkened tent to grab the leg of a child to “come and see the show” is clearly based on “It” but still the stuff of nightmares!
- David Hume (Brian from last year’s wonderful “Brian and Charles”) also does a great job, and he has a wonderful synergy with Palamides and Fionn Foley , who plays the hapless Pepe. It makes for a memorable road-trip. “You’re going to kill us” shouts Bobo wrestling the steering wheel from Pepe. “No, I’M going to kill us” screams Pepe from the back seat, wrestling the wheel from both of them and steering the car into the only sapling for miles around!!
- The film deserves an extra half-point for casting Martin McDonagh (“Banshees…”, “Billboards…” etc) in a cameo as a clown!
Negatives:
- As it’s a wacky comedy, and written by four different writers, inevitably some of the comedy doesn’t always land. (But, for me, more of the gags land than not).
Summary Thoughts on “Apocalypse Clown”
I saw this directly after seeing “Strays”. And this IS a comedy. Well-written with lines that made me laugh throughout. I hope this gets the cinema distribution it deserves, since this should go down as a comedy classic.
It is FAR more rewarding than watching Serbian porn, that’s for damn sure!
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Trailer for “Apocalypse Clown”:
The trailer is here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W-QtWrtDYJk.
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