I really don't understand the hate this film receives. It's one of the most original horror films of the decade and has some great suspense. And the Creeper is one of the coolest horror villains of the 21st century.

The plot starts out really simple. On a desolate country highway, two homeward bound teens (Darry and Trish) are nearly run off the road by a maniac in a beat up truck... and later spot him shoving what appears to be a body down a sewer pipe. But when they stop to investigate, they discover that the grisly reality at the bottom of the pipe is far worse then either of them could ever have imagined. Now they are hunted by the insane maniac, who may just be something that could only exist in your worst nightmares.

Don't wanna spoil anything for you, but just know that things get weird. Good weird. This is a horror film that is not about unique deaths. It's about character and suspense. Justin Long and Gina Phillips are great as the scared brother and sister and Johnathan Breck is truly imposing as the Creeper.

Director Victor Salva creates great atmosphere and is able to hold it through out. He has also set up my favorite shot in any movie... ever. As Darry and Trisha drive and argue about some "Jeepers Creepers"song on the radio, through the rear window the Creeper is seen standing on a tailing police car. Goosebumps every time. Oooh.

This movie also has one of my favorite lines in any horror film, which is said by Darry.

"Hey... bum fuck police, I'm being chased by a guy that likes to pull tongues out of severed heads with his teeth. Is there a special extension for that?"

Hahahaha. Gold.

The ending will either make or break the movie for most viewers. I personally loved it. This is a horror film with balls. It takes chances and I think most of them pay off. However, there is a bit with some Psychic that seems a bit unnecessary. She is just in the movie to help explain the plot. Had her character been cut there would be more mystery surrounding the Creeper, and that would have been better.

All in all, an awesome and underrated little horror film. Can't wait for part 3.

9/10

~Zack~

**SPOILER**

I've said it before and I'll say it again:  Where did The Creeper get the personalized license plate?  Did he wait in line at the DMV?    

Quoted from dresseme **SPOILER** I've said it before and I'll say it again:  Where did The Creeper get the personalized license plate?  Did he wait in line at the DMV?

Ah yes... That is one part I kinda like to ignore. Haha. I think I read some where that Victor Salva wrote the script within a couple of weeks time.

~Zack~

I thought this was okay. The sequel was unbelievably bad, which is ashame because Salva seemed to have some interesting ideas for the original script. The first wasn't too bad. The idea was simple but effective and Justin Long is always fun. I also liked the emphasis on atmosphere/suspense as opposed to gore. It was definitely a change of pace for a modern monster movie. More of a classic approach but still with a gnarly looking creature. The characters were pretty stupid/annoying though, especially the psychic. Those characters always suck bad, even in Poltergeist which was basically the catalyst for them. I also had problems with the lighting. It made everything look like a set. It was way worse in the sequel though. That movie was supposed to be one long night scene and yet the whole place was drenched in flood lights. Just completely killed the mood.

But yeah. Not bad but not great either. I suppose it's worth a watch if you come across it on TV.

I actually didn't mind the sequel. Not as good as the first, but not terrible. It's one of those films that grows on you. IMO this movie has the best theme song ever. Check it out- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eajTjs1n6T0&feature=related

Also, check out this alternate ending, which I think is slightly better than the one used.- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eajTjs1n6T0&feature=related

And then there is the ending credits song, which is just amazing. More goosebumps!- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIEOyvGfZZc

Original Jeepers Creepers was excellent!  Saw it at the theater and had no idea what to expect, which is the best way to watch a movie.

Performances were really good, and although many will say there was way too much meaningless banter between teh siblings, I thought it was excellent, and made tehm come across as real people who I was actually caring for and concerned with.

The police station scene was very well done and nothing like I was expecting, but that's one of the main reasons this film worked so well. It continually kept you guessing and there's simply no way anyone cold predict where it was going and what was going to happen.

The end was also very unique and well done, with the Creeper in his lair.  That last shot was awesome and left me knowing I'd just seen a great little horror movie.

As for the sequel...very unimpressed and a bit pissed off.  Just a weak premise, and poor cliched characters all the way around.  Some good scenes and gore, but Salva could've/should've done so much more with what he set up so well in the original.

Quoted from Dreamscale As for the sequel...very unimpressed and a bit pissed off.  Just a weak premise, and poor cliched characters all the way around.  Some good scenes and gore, but Salva could've/should've done so much more with what he set up so well in the original.

Word. I watched the behind-the-scenes of this years ago. Apparently, the kids in the bus were supposed to be a subplot with the main story being about Justin Long's sister and the psychic going after the Creeper. It could've been epic but apparently, they decided they were ignoring the true meat of the story... the school bus. I'm not being sarcastic. This is really what they said. Just goes to show how subplots should stay subplots.

Quoted from James McClung Word. I watched the behind-the-scenes of this years ago. Apparently, the kids in the bus were supposed to be a subplot with the main story being about Justin Long's sister and the psychic going after the Creeper. It could've been epic but apparently, they decided they were ignoring the true meat of the story... the school bus. I'm not being sarcastic. This is really what they said. Just goes to show how subplots should stay subplots.

Gina Phillips wouldn't return for the sequel, so rewrites were made. I wouldn't mind reading the original draft. Sounds awesome. James... check your PMs.

~Zack~

I liked the original, but felt they squandered the superb opening a little.

This guy's take was fascinating, I think.

Andrew

Andrew, I just read your link, and totally disagree with just about everything, as well as your statement that it's fascinating!

C'mon...this is a perfect example of someone reading WAY too much into a very simple little movie.  Now, I have no idea as to whether or not Salva really did intend any of this, but it just has nothing to do with the movie...at all.

Now, I do know that Salva has some history, and it's not good history, as he molested a boy, and there are lots of rumors that he is a danger to society, a pedophile, strange, etc.  I seem to remember some odd gay tones running through the sequel, which I didn't care for at all.

But back to the post...I really get annoyed when people try and read so much into scripts, stories, movies, etc.  Saying that Darry comes from King Darius, etc. is just crazy.  Darius wasn't the only person in history to be incestual...I bet you could come up with hundreds of names and nicknames based on them from incestuous people...but why?  Exactly, no reason to even go there.

Jeepers Creepers was a unique spin on horror. It was well acted, thought out, and even shot.  It worked for what it set out to do, and I highly doubt that had anything to do with what that reviewer was reading into it.

Quoted from Dreamscale Now, I do know that Salva has some history, and it's not good history

Yes, Salva is an odd duck indeed.  Did you see Powder?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114168/


***SPOILER***


He turns into a rainbow.

I didn't see it, but know of it and the controversy behind it...and Salva.  I actually remember wondering if I should even see Jeepers Creepers because of the shit with Salva.

Wouldn't want to know what goes on in his normal everyday life...

Jeepers Creepers was awesome. But they pushed their luck and made an awful sequel.

I dunno why it's such a controversial movie either, it's not even particularly gory. In fact, it's one of the few horror movies that genuinely scared me the first time I saw it. And there ain't a lot of so-called "horror" films you can say that about.