31 Days of Horror: Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)

Unlike it's predecessor, Jeepers Creepers 2 delivers the scares despite unfolding a typical horror story plot.

The Creeper maintains his mystique in the second film and has evolved to be a darker, more logical predator. He smells fear; preys on it, which is scary enough. It's his ability to move and appear practically out of nowhere that heightens the fear. The Creeper returns every 23 years to feed on humans--this time he's hanging out, literally, as a scarecrow to prey on this Midwestern town. Unfortunately for the championship basketball team, their bus is about to breakdown. Mmm, dinner time.

Jeepers Creepers 2 has a much darker feel than the {sadly lacking} original starring Justin Long. He returns here for a moment. What makes this movie better is the overall menacing atmosphere. The Creeper is kept behind the camera this time around making for a better bite--left to our imagination, the viewer can impose their own fears. His evolution is nicely done.

This is horror for general audiences. Our victims do stupid things, i.e., deserve to die and horribly they do. Jeepers Creepers 2 is a wicked improvement that is equally fun and frightening.