Jeepers Creepers movie review by Larry Novotny

"Jeepers Creepers" is a scary horror flick with a fair amount of surprises. Surprises meaning that the movie is not as predictable as some of the other summer movies of 2001. Of course, if you know the lyrics to the song, you can pretty much figure out how the movie will end, although not exactly. Even if you are not familiar with the lyrics, one of the characters sings them for you.

Tish and Darry are a college-age siblings returning home from college. Tish talks Darry into taking the "scenic" route even though this will add time onto their journey. The sibling interplay that introduces the two is top-notch and will remind anyone with siblings of similar games/arguments, including Urban Legends and trying to decipher the meaning behind vanity license plates. They are quickly set upon by a mysterious souped-up truck that makes a game out of passing the Tish and Darry, scaring the wits out of them. This is just the beginning.

They come upon the truck again pulled off the road next to an abandoned church. The mysterious driver is dumping what looks to be wrapped up bodies down a ventillation shaft. The driver spies them and the chase is on. Tish and Darry narrowly escape being driven off the road by this man. Darry is intent on discovering why this man has attacked them so they head back to the church where Darry makes a gruesome discovery. The ventillation shaft is filled with the remains of numerous victims all relatively well preserved and sewn together to form a type of 3D mural. And this is only the beginning.

The teens rightfully turn the matter over to the county police and consider their involvement over. Alas, the Creeper turns out to be a demon/vampire and Darry and Tish have something he wants. Let the stalking begin. The Creeper needs to ingest human body parts to keep himself alive.

In a great bit of writing/cinematography, the camera pans back and forth (without cutting) between the siblings and the following patrol car that is escorting them back to the church to verify their story. The Creeper dispatches the two officers and goes after the siblings who promptly run him down with their car. As the Creeper "dies", it tries to escape its human form, exposing its bat-like wings. Of course, the Creeper isn't dead, yet.

During their travels, the pair meet up with a psychic who has visions of the future. She tells them they will meet up with the lady with the cats and to be especially aware of an old phonograph playing the title song.

I am sure many people will be disappointed with the ending that doesn't resolve anything. We don't learn much about the Creeper except that every 23 years, it goes on a feeding spree for 23 days. About the only thing disappointing with this movie is the fact that the police don't seem to be too interested in trying to solve the mass murders/disappearances that take place every 23 years. One great bit is the discovery of the real meaning behind the Creeper's vanity plates, BEATNGU. Overall, this movie is one of the least predicable of the summer movies and a very njoyable horror/thriller. For those of you who stay around after the final credits, there is one additional shot to end the movie.