Jeepers Creepers

Movie Name: Jeepers Creepers
Year of Release: 2001

Director: Victor Salva

Stars: Gina Philips, Justin Long, Jonathan Breck, Patricia Belcher, Brandon Smith, Eileen Brennan, Jeffrey William Evans, Patrick Cherry, Tom Tarantini

Genre: Horror, Mystery

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6
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Synopsis:

"Jeepers Creepers" premiered in 2001, and was a surprise hit. The film produced by celebrated director Francis Ford Coppola, focuses on two siblings who are driving home for vacations. While driving on a rather isolated road, they notice an old van, which at some point pursues them. They are not aware of the driver, but they notice the van yet again, and this time, the driver is disposing of what seems to be a body down some sort of a chute. After much discussion, the siblings decide to investigate, and Darryl, the younger brother, goes down the chute and discovers much to his horror, a series of bodies. This sets in motion an intense chase from the driver in pursuit of the siblings, with further surprises happening when they discover the true nature of the driver.
"Jeepers Creepers" is an interesting film, one that manages to be a creature feature, that smartly hides the creature for most of the duration of the film. The film successfully builds the relationship between the two siblings and lead characters, and places them in the middle of a rather isolated road and location, and therefore more exposed to the attack of this driver/entity who is relentless. The tension progressively builds, until the siblings (and us), realize the true nature of the attacker. The director also smartly hides the creature in the dark, suggesting more than showing the totality of it, and going for the cheap thrills. The film has some great influences, namely from Steven Spielberg's "Duel" and George Miller's "Road Warrior"- but all these are presented in an original way, with just enough humor and nostalgia, that make it feel fresh and original. Worth watching.