Movie Review: LEPRECHAUN: ORIGINS

It’s difficult to figure out exactly what Zach Lipovsky’s Leprechaun: Origins is.  Lionsgate are releasing the film as part of a franchise blu-ray set as if it’s somehow related and, given the title, we’re to think this is a prequel.  It is neither of these.  Even the term “reboot” doesn’t apply here as this doesn’t feel in any way like something other than a SyFy original.  The imp bares zero resemblance to Warwick Davis’ memorably-horrible character, so even the nostalgic, cheesy (lucky) charm is isn’t anywhere near.

Four young people visit Ireland, and seemingly friendly natives serve them up as an offering to the creature wreaking havoc on their village.  This creature is, according to a book conveniently found, a leprechaun.  In this world, a leprechaun is a creature of murky motives or desires.  He wants gold yet ALSO is a bloodthirsty animal.  So basically he’s a lawyer.

Wisely Lipovsky and his editor show the little creature as out of focus and covered in fog usually, as it looks horrible.  This is almost definitely a leftover suit from The Descent matched with Fred Williamson’s vampire mouth in From Dusk Till Dawn.  It even bounds about at top speeds mostly on all fours like the bat-people from Descent, snarling and growling.  They even mention it coming from a cave at some point.

There’s no trying to pretend that this was enjoyable on any level.  There was one mildly effective jump scare, and one kill that I loved…which was oddly enough very similar to one from The Descent.  That was about it.  Characters are awful cardboard, acting is lousy.  I was really hoping that this was going to be a frightening version of the story set in the 70’s or something, with a less civilized leprechaun.  That would have been a good idea.  No luck here.  “Fuck you, lucky charms” is a line from the film aptly describing the whole picture.