Jeepers Creepers II (2003)

There are certain movies I can’t seem to avoid seeing regardless how bad they look: anything with a serial killer hacking up oh-so-pretty teenage stars, anything with a ghost scaring the crap out of stupid people, and apparently, anything with a winged cannibal dressed up in a Matrix costume.

Oh dear.

That’s really all I can say. I was one of those that realized the potential of the first Jeepers Creepers. It had the atmosphere, the mood, and just the right amount of creepiness. Then, it suddenly turned into a slapstick comedy. But, the potential was there. Potential that I thought I might see in in Jeepers Creepers II. And, I SO didn’t.

Much like the first, it started off strong. The director certainly has some concept of “subtle scariness”. The opening sequence that is seen in the trailer is a prime example. A child is in a cornfield (as all supernatural beings hang out in cornfields, apparently), and he sees a scarecrow off in the distance slowly turn his head. The child looks, and the scarecrow jerks his head back. Yes, this is eerie. This is creepy. This is what worked. And, this is about the only scene that did.

In Classic-Horror’s review of the first film, it was said that the film got less scary as the monster was revealed. This still held true. Perhaps this was due to the fact that he looked like Freddy Krueger with a hang-glider strapped to his back. And I find it hard to take Freddy Krueger seriously as it is, without him looking like he is getting it on with a pterodactyl. The monster is not even the real problem. The problem is that the audience KNOWS the director is capable of real solid suspense and frights (as indicated by the opening sequence), but the rest of the film looks like he is just “going through the motions”. Needless to say, this is disappointing.

Now, I should bring up dialogue. I personally have seen better writing on the back of cereal boxes. Coupled with the fact that a bunch of over-acting no-name stars are saying the dialogue, and we have something that could have been directed by H.G. Lewis. But, don’t be misled. It’s not nearly that entertaining.

I can’t think of one single person who could find any enjoyment out of this movie at all. Perhaps if you are 14 years old and are just getting into the teen horror genre, maybe. But, for the rest, it’s another disappointing addition. Which wouldn’t be so bad, but it is an interesting premise that showed potential and could have actually BEEN something. But, it has so much against it that I’m not sure Orson Welles could have save it. Even if you’re mildly curious, pass it by. And, be eternally grateful to me for sparing you two painful hours of your life.