Review of Jeepers Creepers 2

Introduction

I suppose it is a positive thing that I haven`t seen the original Jeepers Creepers, that way I have nothing to compare the sequel to, and can judge it on its own merits. On the other hand though, is the fact that I`m not a fan of horror movies, and can only really judge them on a sort of kitsch quotient, rather than any genuine chill factor. I think a lot of this has to do with my childhood, as when I did get to see the Elm Streets and Friday the 13ths, I would inevitably watch them on someone`s well-worn bootleg video copy, and the murky visuals and distorted sound would do far more to convey a creepy atmosphere than anything in the movie itself, so much so that when I finally saw these films on television or on original VHS, I would ironically feel let down by the clarity. Still that doesn`t stop me from vainly trying to recapture those chills of my youth by watching a modern horror from time to time.

Every 23rd spring, for 23 days, it eats, a remarkably simple premise that led to the successful first movie. It, of course is the Creeper, a demonic force that preys on the fearful to regenerate its own body. Jeepers Creepers 2 follows on from the events of the first film. On day 22 of the Creeper`s current feasting, it takes the young son of a corn farmer. On day 23, a busload of teenagers celebrating their victory at basketball are heading home from the championships, when on the Interstate in the middle of nowhere, a puncture strands the bus. First the team coach gets taken, then the bus driver and eventually it`s just a busload of fearful teenagers, left cowering in a bus as darkness falls.

Video

It`s a recent film, so you would be disappointed if the picture were anything less than crystal. Not to worry, as the 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer presents Jeepers Creepers 2 in the best light. The picture is clear and sharp throughout, with the colour palette well chosen to convey the sweltering heat that permeates the story. Some of the effects are variable though.

Audio

You get a choice of DD 5.1 English or DD 2.0 audio descriptive. The sound is quite effective in conveying the action and as the Creeper swoops, the surrounds respond adequately. Bennett Salvay`s music certainly suits the film well, and punctuates the shocks and thrills. English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio descriptive track for those who aren`t aware, is a version of the film for the visually impaired, with a narrator speaking in-between the dialogue to set the scene and describe the on-screen action. For Jeepers Creepers 2, the narrator has a slight Scottish accent that certainly aids the spooky feel of the film. Still, as I try to recall his voice, it does seem to morph into Dad`s Army`s Private Fraser, "We`re doomed!"

Features

Jeepers Creepers 2 certainly rewards the fan with a decent selection of extras, packed onto the one disc, and surprisingly not compromising the quality of the main feature.

However to get the gripes out of the way first, there are no subtitles for any of the extra features, also the extras menu design has to one of the most cumbersome and unwieldy yet. The page appears in darkness, and you have to wait while a torch beam illuminates the extra that you wish to choose. Not only does this involve a lengthy wait, but also if you blink, you might miss an option altogether. Anyway, I assume these are all the extras.

There are 15 minutes of deleted scenes, moments and lines all presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic and in DD 2.0 sound. The postproduction has been completed though the sound is a little off. There is one graveyard scene that certainly would have been better kept in the film, and one self-referential "We`re not in a movie, this is real!" moment that is better off cut.

There are several documentaries on this disc, all presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic and with DD 2.0 sound.

The Making Of Jeepers Creepers 2 last 14 minutes and is your usual behind the scenes footage coupled with interviews with the cast and crew. Interestingly, director Victor Salva explains that his 23-year concept was designed to avoid the possibility of sequels, who`d have figured?

Creeper Composer is a 10-minute interview between Victor Salva and Bennett Salvay that naturally discusses composing the score of a horror movie, and has plenty of orchestral footage.

A Day In Hell is an interesting look at one day on a movie set. Lasting 27 minutes, it`s a fairly detailed if compressed look behind the scenes at how a movie is made, and is a fresh perspective compared to the usual featurettes.

Creeper Creation takes 12 minutes to look at the design and realisation of the Creeper, from the art and design to the make up and effects of the final monster.

Digital Effects is a four-minute piece of CGI footage that was created for the film, and The Creepers Lair is a 4-minute storyboard sequence of a scene that was deleted before shooting began.

There are the ubiquitous trailers and TV spots as well as a gallery of some 36 stills.

Finally there are two commentaries. One is with the Creeper himself Jonathan Breck, as well as the designer and the make-up artist instrumental in bringing the Creeper to life. This is a more serious affair and looks at the making of the film from a slightly more technical viewpoint. Still it`s nowhere near as dry as technical commentaries can get. The second commentary sees Director Victor Salva gathering the young cast for an unmitigated giggle-fest. If frivolous light-hearted commentaries are your thing, then this is the one for you.

Although the menu design is ill thought out, the choice of extras will more than satisfy even the most avid of Jeepers Creepers fanatics.

Conclusion

Rant mode on:

I don`t know how the majority of you feel, but when I buy a movie, I want to go home, put the disc in and wait a couple of seconds as the player reads it, then as the menu comes up, just press the play button and sit back for a cinematic experience. That`s a rarely stated advantage over VHS, as most tapes would have some adverts before the main feature. But of late, I have seen increasingly common occurrences of discs that insist on playing trailers before even loading up the main menu. I`d expect it on rental discs and videos certainly. If I went to the cinema and they didn`t have trailers before the main feature (part of the cinema experience for me) I`d certainly consider complaining to someone about it. But on a retail disc, something that I`ve just paid my R.R.P of £15.99 for, I do not want to be sitting through or skipping through 10 minutes of trailers for other products before I get to what I paid for. Jeepers Creepers 2 has among others, one trailer for Buffy and Angel boxsets (no Season 7 if you`re wondering) that even has a tongue in cheek guide to the perfect DVD, which states a perfect disc has no frivolous adverts on it. Now that`s just rubbing my face in it. Grrr!

Rant mode off:

I don`t know why I switched off the rant, as I`m not too enamoured of Jeepers Creepers 2 either. Don`t get me wrong, as it`s a perfectly serviceable teen slasher flick in the old vein of these movies. It`s got all the ingredients, a bus full of contentious teenagers stranded in the middle of nowhere, a demonic force set on reaping all the (implied) virgins in sight, and certainly enough shocks per scene to satisfy the average horror fan. But when it come down to it, Jeepers Creepers 2 is just plain lazy. It has all been done before and to better effect 20 years ago. Jeepers Creepers 2 explores no new ground and there are no surprises that haven`t been seen elsewhere.

The biggest problem has to be the Creeper, which is the least scary villain I have seen in ages. Lacking completely in personality or the anti-hero charisma of a Freddy Krueger, or even the quiet menace of a Michael Myers, he looks more like a toothsome turd with wings, something I would scrape off my shoe. Although on reflection, a flying turd would be a scary thought indeed. The Creeper probably dons a red bobble hat and heads down to South Park every Christmas, "Hidey-Ho!"

The teens on the bus are instantly forgettable, with only a few having discrete personalities, and it`s hard to care about any of the characters. I don`t normally have a problem with profanity in movies, indeed creative swearing can enliven a film, just look at Trainspotting. However the teens in Jeepers Creepers 2 have only one word in their vocabulary, and when you hear the f-word as many times as you do in this film, it loses all meaning. They sound like speech-impaired ducks. Worse, I get the feeling that the profanity is there as the writer couldn`t be bothered with coming up with real dialogue. Indeed the dialogue in this film is so bad that it approaches parody.

The only moments of interest in this film are provided by farmer Taggart played by Ray Wise, a man on a mission of vengeance against the beast that took his son. There`s a brief homage to the A-Team as he prepares his arsenal, but his quest is a cross between Jaws and Moby Dick as he pursues the Creeper. But that aside, Jeepers Creepers 2 is something of a disappointment. It`s horror by the numbers, despite the lack of teenaged girls in bloodstained nightwear. The characters are lifeless and unmemorable, just like the film and your dreams will stay untroubled.

The disc is certainly a treat for the fans of Jeepers Creepers 2, but make sure that you are a fan before you shell out. Casual horror fans would be best advised to rent first.