Jeepers Creepers II: Collector's Edition

Picking up only days after the events of the first movie, 'Jeepers Creepers II' easily ranks as one of those rare sequels that surpasses the original and offers a more satisfyingly fun time at the movies. But part of the sequel's success over its predecessor, which starred Justin Long and Gina Phillips, is audiences entering with the knowledge of seeing a creature feature. There isn't a sudden, awkwardly jarring red-herring shift in tone and genre. Such tactics may work for other, more talented filmmakers — Hitchcock, anyone! — but director Victor Salva, who also penned this follow-up, clumsily stumbled the gears and brakes the transmission in the first movie, bringing an otherwise suspenseful road movie to a screeching halt. Amazingly though, Salva salvages what's left of that wreck in this straightforward supernatural horror flick with bits of dark comedy relief sprinkled throughout. Without the need of a setting up the monster's entrance and pesky exposition, Salva can simply have silly fun with his creation.

Jonathan Breck, once more, dons the makeup as The Creeper, the winged demon in the weathered hat and oilskin duster who feeds on human flesh for 23 days every 23 years. The why is never explained, but then again, that's part of the creature's engaging mystery. That and his admittedly cool look. Because Long's Darry botched the creature's plans for hibernation, a fact announced over the radio in shocking detail, it's desperate to satisfy its ravenous hunger before the clock runs down. And what better way to do this than a school bus full of young, untainted teenagers. It's practically a buffet on wheels, which The Creeper takes drooling delight in, sniffing their terrified hormones through the window and singling out his favorites as if he were picking a lobster in fish tank. That creepily hilarious sequences eventually leads to panicked survival mode amongst the basketball team on their way home from a championship game. The chip-on-his-shoulders Scott (Eric Nenninger) suggests feeding the monster its selections with somewhat racial undertones while the rest make a run for it.

Rushing to ease the tension is the always enjoyable Ray Wise as single-minded farmer on the warpath Jack Taggart. The previous day, the hard-working farmer was witness to The Creeper's hunger lust when it literally flew away with Taggart's youngest son, like an owl snatching a mouse. The entire scene is one of several well-made and terrifically engaging moments where the demon creepily hides in plain sight as a scarecrow. Similar to his role as the distraught Leland Palmer on David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks,' Mr. Wise is an emotional wrecking ball who wins audiences over with his convincing performance, expressing a great of the pain with his eye alone and a believable tone of hurt in his voice. Joined by his older, surviving son (Luke Edwards), Wise's maddened pursuit of The Creeper on its last night of hunting takes him to the stranded school bus, leading to a final showdown that's wildly entertaining and a genuine highlight. Riding in like a cowboy with guns blazing, he's not there to pull some last minute heroics, showing little concern for the terrified teens in the ensuing battle. Rather, he's gripped with the burning passion of vengeance.

One the strongest aspects of the first movie was the two college siblings traveling home for spring break, and that same characterization continues in 'Jeepers Creepers II.' Demonstrating Salva's talent for creating likable kids and conversations that feel authentic, the teens here are distinct, three-dimensional personalities confronting a threat that ideally would bring them together, especially seeing they are team. However, a pre-existing layer of mistrust from the grumbling Scott mixed with fear turns into an equally dangerous concoction, creating some fascinating, albeit a tad histrionic, interactions. And in typical teen fashion, Scott's perceived injustices are more important than The Creeper trapping his friends inside the bus, which only adds to the tension and suspense. What's also fun about watching these kids is their willingness to fight back, defending themselves with a pole vault pole or by simply not letting fellow teammates be taken. While the kids display some genuine grit and pluck while impatiently awaiting the arrival of farmer Taggart, audiences can sit back and enjoy a straightforward creature feature that surpasses its predecessor, converting even this skeptical viewer into one of The Creeper's followers.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Shout! Factory brings 'Jeepers Creepers II' to Blu-ray as a two-disc Collector's Edition package under the distributor's Scream Factory line. The two Region A locked, BD50 discs are housed inside a normal blue case on opposing panels with brand new reversible cover art and a cardboard slipcover. The second disc contains a wealth of new bonus features that should make fans very happy.

At startup, the disc goes to a generic main menu selection on the left side with music and full-motion clips. Unfortunately, according to the Shout! Factory website, the exclusive, limited edition poster of the newly commissioned artwork has already sold out.