Jeepers creepers 3, is it worth the wait?

JEEPERS CREEPERS 3

I consider myself to be a fan of the Jeepers Creepers franchise. I saw the original and it's sequel in my early twenties. It was scary and fun and a little disturbing.  It's been 14 yrs. since we saw the release of the last Jeepers Creepers film. And I've been feigning. That fun but overly mediocre sequel didn't leave much room for the franchise to go. As it took place on the last day of the creatures feeding and than 23 yrs. later as an old man awaits vengeance. So finally we have  Jeepers Creepers 3 .


Jeepers Creepers has never been the most solid franchise. The original is great but far from flawless. It's a very unique take on the road trip horror flick. Well executed with some great gore and solid performances and just a tinge of homo-eroticism. Hello, Justin Long's rose tattoo by his belly button, the creeper smelling his pink dyed dirty under wear, etc.


Followed by Jeepers Creepers 2. A fun but unnecessary sequel.  It has a slew of hokier characters.  Which include a psychic cheerleader, a character of questionable sexual orientation nicknamed Izzy or Izzy'nt he? Oh and a ton more homo-eroticism. Lots of guys urinating together, sunbathing on the roof of a broken down bus and talking very closely.

So now all this time later we finally have a sequel. The big question of course if was it worth the wait? Well I'm sad to say, no. Although not a bad film, it's definitely the worst of the bunch. Still there is enough here to merit a light recommend. From some well timed jump scares to some cool twists, solid performances and creative mythology. It offers audiences more than most studio films being released.


Picking up right after the events of the original. Following when Darry played by Justin Long was taken. As the police run around in circles a mysterious man pulls up. Sheriff Tashtego played with a macho but likable zest by Stan Shaw. He quickly makes sure the others know he is aware of the creature and what has happened there. Because him and a small group of survivors are out for vengeance, after what had happened twenty three years prior.


As we move along we meet Addison Brandon played impressively by Gabrielle Haugh. A young woman whose living with her seemingly crazy grandmother played by a feisty Meg Foster. She is visited daily by her son's ghost. He was murdered during the last feeding cycle. But before he died he buried something of the creature's that it's coming back for. In a brief flashback we discover that the creature lost one of it's hands. And if you come in contact with it and touch, it comes to life and reveals it's origin.

There's plenty of showdowns as the creature collects victims to replace the ones he lost at the cathedral. But this taking place in between the first and second. You realize that this will come to an unsatisfying conclusion. There is a definite focusing on expanding the mythology of the creature and it's appliances so to speak. The car becomes an entity all it's own with some crazy booby traps. As well as some creative weaponry that seems to think on it's feet. That being said, a good sequel will move the franchise forward. And although their are some creative touches, this just doesn't.
There's plenty to like about this entry. It's got some great cinematography. Sweeping shots of gorgeous landscapes and creepy houses. As well as some claustrophobic ones of the Creeper attacking. The film unfortunately is suffering greatly from budgetary constraints. Many of the deaths happen off camera as well as some of the events. The digital effects are a little silly and outdated. Coming off unintentionally funny at times. As does some of the practical work which includes a very fake eyeball.


There are solid performances from Gabrielle Haught, Meg Foster, Stan Shaw and Brandon Smith elevating the material. The direction by Salva is solid as usual but there are some slight pacing issues and the finale or lack there of feels very anti climactic. There is also just a bit too much slow motion. Although I really appreciate the decision to make most of the action happen during the day. It lends the film a refreshing quality and still manages to be creepy.
It all culminates in a mostly disappointing fashion that has you wondering if they even were able to complete filming. Gina Phillips shows up as a now grown up Trish waiting for the creature's arrival to avenge her brother. The idea is great. It's just handled in such a hammy fashion with smirk worthy dialogue.


Jeepers Creepers 3 is a film stuffed with so much potential that never comes to fruition. It feels a bit shorted and kind of like a pilot episode to a new TV series. Missing is a sense of urgency, so prominent in the other films. Still its entertaining and offers you a bit more insight into the Creeper. And by the way, Johnathan Breck adds some much needed charisma and Humanity to his starring role. Making the main villain feel way more memorable. The action sequences are mostly impressive and the film manages to introduce some solid characters and ending it all with an expected by clever twist. So do you need to see this is theaters? Probably not. It's a little too SYFY movie of the week in spots. But all in all you could do much worse say like the cinematic trash fest The Mummy.
If you're still dying to see Jeepers Creepers 3. Lucky for you and Unlucky for those of us who paid. The movie will premiere on the SYFY channel on Saturday, October 28th. 28TH. It's a fathom event. Otherwise it hits VOD and Disc on December 26th, 2017. Check out the short trailer below.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpzzrqJi6ko


Jeepers Creepers 3 American Zoetrope 2017 Color 97 Mins. Horror/Thriller Gina Philips Meg Foster Jonathan Breck, Stan Shaw, Joyce Giraud Carrie Lazar, Gabrielle Haugh, Chester Rushing, Ryan Moore and Jordan Salloum star. Written and Directed by Victor Salva. N/R contains language, violence and gore. ***/5