Jeepers Creepers 2 Review
by Robin Clifford (robin AT reelingreviews DOT com)August 29th, 2003
"Jeepers Creepers 2"
"Ever 23rd spring, for 23 days, it gets to eat." Yes, the Creeper is back to terrorize Middle America's teenaged population once again and this time his main target is a busload of high school jocks and cheerleaders on the way home from their big victory. But, these kids are about to face an even greater challenge - survival - in "Jeepers Creepers 2."
Writer/director Victor Salva invented a sometimes scary, often creepy horror film in 2001 with "Jeepers Creepers." The film ended in an unsatisfying way, but the originality of the story and its imaginatively conceived monster kept it a cut above the usual monster movie. Unfortunately, "Jeepers Creepers 2" is one of those usual monster movies.
"JC2" tries to give itself horror flick legitimacy with references to the classic "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Jaws" and "Aliens," but reference alone does not put a movie into the classics league. What we have is a typical slice and dice horror flick where the Creeper rends metal, rips off heads and generally commits mayhem on the helpless teens - after dispatching the adults in short order. Since it is the last night of the 23rd day and yada-yada the Creeper must indulge in its final feeding frenzy before it goes into hiding for the next 2+ decades. It preys on the students' fears and, one by one, takes them out in a variety of ways, mostly by ripping off body parts for its regeneration.
But, just so you don't think that this is just another teen decimation flick (even though it is), there is an Avenger on the horizon. As "JC2" gets under way, we are in the sun-drenched cornfield on a farm by the infamous East 9 highway. A handsome young boy is in the field tying scarecrows to posts when he notices that one of the dummies doesn't look quite right. Suddenly, the scarecrow attacks and drags the boy away. His father, Jack Taggart (Ray Wise), and brother Jack Jr. (Luke Edwards), take chase but are helpless when the Creeper flies off, clutching the screaming boy. Despondent and angry, the two Jacks take their welding torches and farm equipment build a humungous harpoon gun to fight back.
Back to the school bus and the kids are frantically trying to get help on the radio without luck - until Jack gets on the horn. But, the Creeper is taking its toll and the number of teens begins to dwindle. Can they survive long enough for help to arrive? And, if help does come, will it be enough to stop the unstoppable Creeper? You guess.
Helmer/scribe Salva goes the routine path with his follow up to his original "Jeepers Creepers" and comes up with a generic, cookie cutter horror flick. The Creeper, in the first flick, sent a chill up my spine as it posed as a supernatural wolf in earthly sheep's clothing. Sure, the film degenerated into a regular, old horror movie ending with the obligatory set up for the sequel, but getting there was creepy fun. The sequel is nothing more than a mayhem fest, with death dealt out in a variety of ways, until its big "Aliens"-like finale.
Techs are what you would expect. The acting is on the teen angst level with a dose of racial tension introduced, for some odd reason. Ray Wise, the "name" actor, gets to chew scenery as he goes toe-to-toe with the Creeper, but the kids are directly from a casting call for good looking teens willing the be Spam in a can.
"Jeepers Creepers 2" has enough shocks to satisfy the less discerning filmgoer, which is exactly the market the filmmakers will target. It will be a holiday weekend hit at the multiplexes and will likely do well enough at the box office and beyond, which is a pity because it means we may have to suffer "JC3" next year. If you're expecting "JC2" to be an extension of the first, you will be disappointed. It fits its niche, though, and I give it a C-.
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