Jeepers Creepers – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)
On June 14, 2016, Scream Factory presents the definitive home video release of one of the scariest modern-classic horror films ever made, Jeepers Creepers. The release comes in a 2-disc Collector’s Edition set packed with a treasure trove of extras, both existing and newly produced. Jeepers Creepers (Collector’s Edition) includes the new 2K scan of the interpositive film, the new interviews Jeepers Creepers: Then and Now – with writer/director Victor Salva, producer Barry Opper, director of photography Don FauntLeRoy, editor Ed Marx and actor Tom Tarantini, From Critters to Creepers – an interview with producer Barry Opper, The Town Psychic – an interview with actress Patricia Belcher, and a new audio commentary with writer/director Victor Salva and stars Gina Philips and Justin Long.
Film 
On a desolate country highway, two homeward-bound teens are nearly run off the road by a maniac in a beat-up truck… and later spot him shoving what appears to be a body down a sewer pipe. But when they stop to investigate, they discover that the grisly reality at the bottom of that pipe is far worse than they could have ever suspected… and that they are now the targets of an evil far more unspeakable – and unstoppable – than they could have ever imagined!
Honestly, I saw Jeepers Creepers back in 2001 when it came to DVD and I’m pretty certain I never revisited until this reviews. The funny thing is a did like the film back then to. And most of it had rather stuck with me and I remembered it quite well. It was an effective little horror film that introduced us to an immediately iconic creature to add to the movie monster canon. No, I’m not talking about Justin Long, I’m referring to that of the winged “Creeper”.
The Creeper is done in such a cool way in this film. You’re slowly unraveling exactly what this is the whole entire time this movie plays out. At first, he could just be some murderous man chasing some kids down the road. Then, maybe not. And as we see more and more, we’re like “What is this guy/thing!?” And that’s what drives a lot of the fun in the film.
Also driving (literally) are Justin Long and Gina Philips as a brother and sister. They are quite an enjoyable pair with terrific chemistry. They also have a pretty well written script when it comes to their dialogue. These two chew through it quite well and you really, really give a shit about both of them throughout the proceedings. And when we get to the film’s close, it really is a punch in the gut and that has a good part to do with the work that these actors have put in.
Victor Salva’s direction is also very key in this film. Without it, I’m not sure if this works at all. There is a complete vision on display here from story to the technical aspects. The camera moves with such thought and precision, it makes this movie bigger in scale than you ever think it would be. There are a lot of impressive shots in the film, including two from the from front seat of the car with action happening on the road behind. Including the incredible hook this film has to start. I’m referring to the Creeper’s vehicle speeding up to our protagonists’ car and then when they witness him dumping the bodies at the church.
Everything from the performances, camera work and effects culminate in a fun little horror jaunt. Its in the vein of some sort of urban legend or horror tales of the road. Its also one of the last significant original horror films before the whole remake craze (be it American or Japanese films) of the 00s would overtake the mainstream box office and bigger budgeted films in the genre. Here, 15 years later, its refreshing to see that the film still holds up and I actually have more respect for it now than I did back then.
Video
Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Clarity/Detail: Jeepers Creepers has what sounds like is a new 2K transfer. Its a very clean looking transfer, maybe some post work was done on it. There is some minor smoothness to things, but overall its pretty good and likely the best the film has looked. Details are pretty abundant, especially in the scene where Justin Long finds the underground cathedral of dead bodies.
Depth: There are some moments where the dimensional work looks really good, but for the most part its very average. Movements are filmic and mostly smooth.
Black Levels: Blacks are rich and lovely looking. Detail actually comes through impressively in nighttime scenes and on the Creeper itself.
Color Reproduction: While the film looks slick, its got a sort of yellow filter over everything and colors look more natural and tamed. Gina Phlips top is about the most vibrant thing in the film.
Flesh Tones: Skin tones are a tad warm and maintain a consistent appearance scene to scene throughout the film. Facial details like stubble, make-up, scuffs and scrapes show good in close-ups. Medium and far shots have a bit more smoothness in their look.
Noise/Artifacts: Pretty clean.
Audio
Audio Format(s): English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English 2.0 DTS-HD MA
Subtitles: English SDH
Dynamics: I would gather to guess that this is the same mix that appears on the Blu-ray already available for the film. Its a good one, so I can see why’d they’d keep it. The mix is done in a way that will catch you off guard with very loud effects and soundwork that hits from different sides. Its full sounding and very in your face with its loudness.
Low Frequency Extension: Swooping wings, humming engines, cars crashing and shotgun blasts all get a boom from your subwoofer.
Surround Sound Presentation: Overall a fun and thoughtful 5 channel mix pits you right into some action. You can hear a car zooming up behind you as well as gun fire spatter around the room. Movement as well as placement is well put in this mix.
Dialogue Reproduction: Dialogue is loud and clear.
Extras
Jeepers Creeper – Collector’s Edition is a 2-disc set with reversible cover art feature the original poster design.
Disc 1
Audio Commentary
- With Director Victor Salva and Actors Justin Long and Gina Philips
- WIth Director Victor Salva
Disc 2
Jeepers Creepers: Now And Then (HD, 36:45) – Featuring interviews with writer/director Victor Salva, producer Barry Opper, director of photography Don FauntLeRoy, editor Ed Marx and actor Tom Tarantini.
From Critters to Creepers (HD, 19:38) – An interview with producer Barry Opper. He talks a lot about his early film Android with Klaus Kinski. He mentions passing on A Nightmare On Elm Street. Barry also talks about Critters. In the very last 2 minutes he finally discusses the movie you’ve purchased.
The Town Psychic (HD, 16:34) – An interview with actress Patricia Belcher. The interview is really focused on her role and the production and insight onto her lines and performance.
Behind The Peepers – The 6-part “Making Of” feature that has been ported over from the original DVD release of the film.
- Finding Trish and Darry (HD, 11:11)
- Designing The Creeper (HD, 6:52)
- Cars and Trucks (HD, 11:41)
- The Creeper Comes To Florida (HD, 7:33)
- Night Shoots (HD, 10:08)
- Making the Score (HD, 12:57)
More Creepers
- Deleted Scenes (HD, 17:13)
- Photo Gallery (HD, 7:56)
- Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:54)
- Radio Spot (HD, 1:00)
Summary
Jeepers Creepers is a very fun, very genre film that succeeds in the simplicity it sets out to attain. It also crafts one of the more iconic (and original) movie monsters of the 2000s. I never ventured on to the sequel (That will be rectified very soon though), but I’m interested to see what more kind of mythology they can latch on to this. Scream Factory’s Blu-ray is an excellent one. The film looks and sounds good, as well as drowns us in very excellent supplemental features. Fans will not be disappointed and will surely want to make the double dip for this Collector’s Edition.
