Jonathan Brck and Justin Long in "Jeepers Creepers."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: Gina Philips and Justin Long Director: Victor Salva Rated: R, with strong gore Length: 92 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(August 31, 2001) -- The first half of the new horror flick Jeepers Creepers is as tense and unnerving as any, a nightmarish combination of Duel and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre that'll keep filmgoers riveted.

But then Victor Salva's film exploits that impact to hold viewers through a weaker second half. The film's originality gives way to fright-flick cliches that pile up along with the victims' bodies.

Gina Philips (of TV's Boston Public and Ally McBeal) and Justin Long (of Galaxy Quest and TV's Ed) are well cast as siblings Trish and Darryl, driving home for spring break.

They take the road less traveled -- the country lanes -- which, of course, is their first mistake.

They're nearly run off the road by an unseen figure in a giant, tanklike truck. Later they see the truck parked by an abandoned country church, and the driver seems to be dumping bodies down a drainage pipe. Trish and Darryl get out of their car to investigate because they're afraid a victim might still be alive and need help. That's their second mistake.

Thus begins the film's most intense sequence, as Darryl stumbles down the dark drain pipe and ends up in a pit of horrors, filled with corpses.

Before long, our young heroes are in flight, the terrifying mystery man in pursuit. And the guy soon shows himself as more powerful and more horrifying than any man. Can you say Beelzebub?

So far, so good. But then writer-director Salva explains things, bringing a neighborhood psychic into the film who seems to understand everything. It's a disappointing, time-honored and unnecessary technique.

Another cliche -- a wacky lady with a hundred cats -- also clutters the film's landscape.

Part of the fun of the film is the fear of the unknown. Salva undermines it with too much explanation. He also gets fancy with musical references -- Jeepers Creepers, etc. -- that don't always make sense.

Fortunately, the film rights itself in time to deliver a potent finale, returning to the visceral edge we expected back when Darryl was trapped in the drain pipe.

That ending -- and the film's first 45 minutes -- make Jeepers Creepers a worthwhile recommendation for fans of the fright genre.