Jeepers Creepers

Review By Clint Morris

Genuinely scary, but at the same time unappreciatively demented, Victor Salva's tribute to old-age horror, Jeepers Creepers, is quite a watch. More Texas Chainsaw Masscare than Scream, the acid-tongue supernatural shrieker is for the most part the perfect popcorn voyage - but a lot of it is also tired and rehashed. Still, any movie that'll have your lady friend jumping into your lap gets my tick of approval.

The very first time we see brother and sister Trish and Daris Jenner (Gina Philips and Justin Long) they're travelling back home, but along one of those eerie deserted country highways, the kind of remote strip Leatherface would hitchhike on. From behind them comes a huge monster of a truck beeping its horn endlessly and bucking their bumper like a rider on a bull. They catch their breaths, and carry on.

Daris spots the truck again; it's parked outside an old abandoned church. He spots its driver too - he seems to be offloading bodies wrapped in sheets into a pipe. Needless to say Curiosity gets the better of this cat, and they swing the car around.

The relentless unforseen villain recklessly pursues the two youngsters, until about mid point where they seek solace in a small town police station. But before the two can even warm up their feet - a flying monster-like freak makes his way into the station and heads straight for the youthful smorgasbord.

Victor Salva proves himself a master at the scary movie. From the sound effects, to the monster, to the 'never go there' backdrop - he's already won points with it's target audience. For the most part of the film, especially the first half, he builds up some great suspense and rips open a large bag of scares - prepared to have you jumping out of your seat. Unfortunately, the more our heroes dilemma worsens so does the movie, and the remarkably original feel of the first 30 minutes snow dives into your typical cliché monster stalking teens movie. It's Obvious that Duel, Deliverance, A Nightmare on Elm Street and countless other schlock flicks sit in Director Salva's video collection. In some respects, the unseen presence for the first half of the movie is much more effective than the grotesque Freddy Krueger-like super villain we see towards the middle. Still, the make-up department has delivered.

As much as it might be a little inconsistent, Jeepers Creepers is still a momentously memorable horror pic with some really clever plot drawn up.

Salva's dab hand at freaking the herd is especially evident in the astonishingly memorable final moments - which will leave you not wanting to leave to cinema alone... Make sure Grandma has plans tonight.

3 out of 5

Jeepers Creepers
Australian release: November 17th
Cast: Gina Philips, Justin Long, Patricia Belcher, Eileen Brennan, Jonathan Breck.
Director: Victor Salva.
Website: Click here

Brought to you by MovieHole