Jeepers Creepers Review

Written by: Chad Langen   

Creature Features never cease to attract a good sized audience. Something about them just scares horror fans away. Well folks, Jeepers Creepers is quite the exception. The film which brought not only fear upon horror buffs from all over the world, but introduced a new villian who definitely won't overstay his welcome...The Creeper.

Jeepers Creepers opens with an exceptionally real story. A pair of siblings are on their way home from college on spring break. Like most brothers and sisters they are bickering back and forth. Soon, however, they are nearly run off of the road by a crazy truck driver with a license plate reading 'beatingu'. A little shook up, the two continue their drive. But when they come across the same trucker who appears to be dumping bodies down the pipe of a church, all hell breaks loose as the siblings are stalked by a horrifying monster that not only can smell their fear...but taste it.

It's a great first half but unfortunately the film takes a drastic downfall when a psychic lady is suddenly introduced. She seems to know a lot about the two of them, especially Justin Long's character. She gives them warnings telling them to run and not to stop for anything. Also, she tells of a cat lady who they will eventually run into. It's a great scene, but it's completely unnecessary.

The setting is pleasant. It's creepy and gives the audience something to be afraid of. I mean, you go to church to be safe not pinned to the wall by a hungry monster. And the dark atmosphere never gives a hint as to what corner or which room the villain is hiding in, or more important, when he will strike.

The acting was fair, nothing out of the ordinary considering this is still somewhat of a slasher film. However, the dialogue became rather cheesy in the last half of the film, but we have the script to blame for that. This brings me to my next point. The plot-holes in the film were endless. You think you're about to figure one out and another is dropped onto you like bombs on Hiroshima.

Direction is always an important factor in a horror movie and Victor Salva doesn't fail us here. His direction is stunning. The shot where the creeper is turning and realizing that the two siblings have witnessed him dumping the bodies, that was pure-shock cinema. Also the chase scenes were filmed especially well.

Aside the numerous plot-holes and unnecessary scenes, Jeepers Creepers is a highly entertaining flick. It has plenty of scares and gross out scenes that are definitely enough to turn your stomach inside out.