JEEPERS CREEPERS 2

JEEPERS CREEPERS 2 (2003). Writer/director: Victor Salva.

This is a continuation of the story originally told in Jeepers Creepers. The Creeper still has a few hours to go before his 23 year hibernation, so he looks for victims among the teenagers on a stranded bus carrying high school athletes. In the meantime, farmer Jack Taggert (Ray Wise) is determined to hunt the creature who flew off with his youngest son. Jeepers Creepers 2 presents another nightmarish scenario, but the movie doesn't quite have the "dreamy" quality of the original. The acting is good, with cast stand-outs including Wise, Eric Nenninger as the nasty Scotty, Garikayi Mutambirwa as his teammate "Double D," and Billy Aaron Brown as manager Andy. The movie is tense and entertaining for the most part, but it's also overlong and has too many climaxes. Don't expect to learn anything more about the Creeper (Jonathan Breck), because you don't.

Verdict: More Creeper mayhem. **1/2.

JEEPERS CREEPERS

JEEPERS CREEPERS (2001). Writer/director: Victor Salva.

Darry Jenner (Dustin Long) and his sister Trish (Gina Philips) are driving past a dilapidated old church when they think they see a creepy figure dumping what might be a body into a pipe. Against his sister's advice the kind-hearted Darry decides to go and see if he can help the possible victim. Bad idea, unfortunately, as if brings them into contact with a demonic figure [of unknown origin], the Creeper, who comes out of hiding every 23 years to feast on the flesh and innards of innocent humans. Jeepers Creepers' plot may not stand up to scrutiny, but it's best to take it as a nightmare where anything can and does happen. Eerie and well-done, the movie is entertaining, fast-paced and well-acted. A cast stand-out is Eileen Brennan in a notable turn as a somewhat dotty cat lady. There is humor in the grisly film but it never quite descends into out and out camp. Very down-beat and gross ending. Followed by Jeepers Creepers 2.

Verdict: Creepy all right. ***.