Drive Thru (DVD, 2007)

"Drive-Thru" is an exceptionally entertaining satirical horror film from Slamdance Film Festival co-founders Shane Kuhn and Brendan Cowles.
A cursory plot review makes "Drive-Thru" sound indistinguishable from any number of low-rent slasher flicks: a killer who dresses as the mascot for a fast food franchise — like Ronald McDonald. A creepy-looking clown stalks a group of attractive teenagers and kills them off in the most graphic ways possible, until a "final girl" turns the tables. Dubious premise aside, however, "Drive-Thru" is frankly an expertly plotted, impeccably acted and fast-paced thriller.
Kuhn and Cowles set their thriller in Orange County, (familiar to audiences from 'The O.C.' and 'Laguna Beach'), allowing them to poke fun at those shows as well as at the self-absorbed culture of affluence they celebrate. The fast food angle — the Clown is the public face of the successful "Hella-Burger" food chain — generates its own running jokes.
Mackenzie, the final girl (who serves the function that Jamie Lee Curtis does for "Halloween"), is a vegan., and her story provides a device for some Fast Food Nation-esque social commentary on America's obsession with fast food. (A subtext that the directors wryly make explicit with a cameo by 'Super Size Me' director Morgan Spurlock).
Kuhn and Cowles make the most of their premise, in the perfectly balanced intersecting storylines as well as in "Hella-Burger" commercials within the film — (ads that may be the funniest thing of their kind since the fake commercials in 'Robocop'.)
The writing is supremely intelligent for a film in any genre, but Kuhn and Cowles don't sacrifice the pleasures of pure escapist entertainment in elevating the material. The juxtaposition of goofy teen comedy and genuinely smart satire invites and earns comparison with Cameron Crowe's screenplay for "Fast Times at Ridgemont High". Like that film, "Drive-Thru" is a fast, funny mainstream teen flick that also operates on a deeper level as a Graduate-like portrait of a generation.
This may sound a bit crazy for a movie that features 'pot humor' and a villian named 'Horny the Clown', but what sets "Drive-Thru" apart from other movies in its genre is its witty encapsulation of the neurosis and concerns of the typical American teenager. As played by young TV veteran Leighton Meester in a flawless performance, Mackenzie is a bright and passionate Orange County kid whose heartfelt liberalism is something she's allowed to come by thanks to her privileged upbringing.
Kuhn and Cowles take all the components of the '80s slasher films — (the preoccupation with virginity, past sins that motivate the present killing spree, even the creepy school janitor familiar from "Prom Night" and its imitators) — and place clever spins on the conventions to make them seem fresh.
At the same time, the movie generates a nostalgic warmth for viewers who grew up on "Witchboard" and "Happy Birthday To Me", and its ingenious structure gives it momentum and suspense on par with the best of its predecessors. The film also works perfect for horror buffs who only care about blood and guts, given that Kuhn and Cowles are as inventive with their brutal murder sequences as they are with their satire.
In its own way the movie is some kind of under the radar masterpiece, that recalls classic "Halloween" & "Freddy Krueger" films. This surprising gem warrants a slot on any horror buffs shelf.
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this movie was awesome. horny the clown rocks. the whole cast did extremely good. love this movie. the movies goes very well, it will keep ur interest in and it does not disappoint. the ending is very good to. this movie is well done, and it shows.

Hearing several good reviews of this movie I decided to rent it. I'm thankful I didn't end up buying it since it would have been a waste of money. I didn't laugh during the movie (except during the bad acting and filming segments) and I wasn't in suspense. Rather I found myself wondering during the entire movie whether the directors were trying to spoof popular horror films like Halloween or if they were trying for something original. Either way the film missed the mark. I'm not sure if the movie was supposed to be a comedy or if it was just a badly done horror film that turned into a comedy. Overall I would advise people to avoid this film, unless they want to see a film that will make almost all other horror films seem like major groundbreaking films.

the clown is wicked looking , and its name is horny the clown, real gorey movie. and i saw it at my buddys on comcast on the free movies page and saw 10 mins of it and knew i had to get it

Kinda cheesy but great if you like scary horror movies with a laughable twist. Has alot of actors you may know from Gossip Girl in it.