The waning years of the ’90s were a bit of a wasteland for Horror films. Although slickly made and sometimes fun, most of the Horror movies coming out of Hollywood from about 1996 to the turn of the century were half-baked slasher films (mostly knock-offs of the ultra-successful “Scream”). It’s understandable, of course. It was the safe thing to do. So at a time when guys running around in masks wielding knives were in vogue, simply making a monster movie was a bit of a bold move. Making one where the nature of the monster is revealed slowly, via one outstanding set-piece after another, was bolder. Ending the film darkly, with more questions than answers was suicidal. Yet, Victor Salva’s woefully underrated JEEPERS CREEPERS puts it all together and brings us a satisfying, fun monster movie.
More under the fold!
Justin Long (Darry) and Gina Philips (Trish) star as siblings driving home for spring break on a lonely country road. They encounter a massive, monstrous pickup truck that runs them into a ditch. A little later, they see the same truck parked at a farmhouse and the driver doing something suspicious. The driver sees them and this sets the films events into motion.
Now, this may not sound like much, and it does only encompass the first 15 minutes or so of the film - yet the expertise with which Victor Salva directs these simple events creates an opening sequence that is surprisingly hair-raising. We suspect right away that we are in the hands of someone who is going to take us on a journey we’re not expecting. What begins as a simple kill-the-witnesses stalking, becomes much more as we slowly learn what our antagonist is and just what - and who - he is after.
JEEPERS CREEPERS has a lot to offer on its own merits. Exciting action, big scares, an original villain - it’s all here. Yet when you consider the state of Horror at the time of this film’s release, it’s difficult not to consider this to be bit of a gamble on the part of the filmmakers. A gamble that we can all be glad paid off. Oh, and special kudos for one of the best uses of a Siouxsie and the Banshees song ever in film.
Parental Guide: I'd say 16+ on this one.
JEEPERS CREEPERS fun facts -
In order to get a real reaction from Justin Long and Gina Philips when they see the Creeper in his full costume and makeup, they were not allowed to meet actor Jonathan Breck before filming.
Victor Salva wrote the main characters as brother and sister in order to dispel any sexual tension and keep the focus on escaping the Creeper
The first choice to play the Creeper was Lance Henriksen.
Many shots of the countryside had to be darkened in post because Victor Salva felt they were just “too beautiful”. He wanted the countryside to have a more foreboding feel about them.
Trish - “You know the part in scary movies when somebody does something really stupid, and everybody hates them for it? This is it.”
Cat Lady - “That's not my scarecrow.”
Jezelle - “You've got something it likes - one of you.”