By Melissa Garza
None will claim that Leprechaun changed the face of horror or is worthy of the same recognition that the Halloween films, the Friday the 13th movies, or the Nightmare on Elm St. series is given, however that doesn’t mean that it isn’t an entertaining ride with its own little place in the genre.
The movie opens when a greedy man, Daniel O’Grady (Shay Duffin) kidnaps the Leprechaun and its gold from Ireland and brings both back home to celebrate with his wife, Mrs. O’Grady (Pamela Mant). Unbeknownst to the Mrs., she frees the little guy who immediately wreaks havoc in effort to get back what is rightfully his.
Jennifer Aniston stars in her first motion picture role as Tory Reding, a teenager who moves in with her father, J.D.(John Sanderford) to the home previously owned by the O’Grady’s and is the current residence of the murderous Leprechaun. The Leprechaun’s main focus is still trying to get his gold back although he finds enjoyment in terrorizing anyone who gets in his way. He begins the terror almost immediately when the good-hearted but slow house painter Ozzie (Mark Holton) sees him in the basement but noone believes him. His terror continues as he goes on a killing rampage uttering sometimes funny and admittedly sometimes annoying punchlines.
That in essence is the one key problem with the movie. The charm of the film lies with the main character’s wit and glee he gains from hurting others, however at times it wears thin leaving very little to fall back on. The acting is above par and the setting fits well, but without hesitation one can easily say that Warwick Davis (the Leprechaun) is the sole reason for the movie’s and subsequent sequels’ success. Without his deep understanding of the character this movie would be lame. He, however, delivers his lines magnificently and the maniacal attitude of his character shines through with his dead-on mannerisms and excellent portrayal.
The murders aren’t gruesome, in fact the only scenes that may make one cringe is when the Leprechaun bites his victims, but even then, it is far from shocking by today’s standards. The death toll isn’t big but again that really isn’t the focus of the film the way it is in both the Nightmare on Elm St. and Friday the 13th films. Instead, the entire responsibility falls at the hands of the lead character which is at times too much for even Davis.
As the series went on the plots became weaker and the Leprechaun without doubt lost his charisma, but the original still stands as a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon in front of the television.
Scared Stiff Rating: 5/10 Watchable