Leprechaun (1993)

3 Stars (out of 4)

Gold, Mine

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

This gory, comical horror movie has long aggravated critics, but has pleased horror hounds over the years with its playful attitude and silly approach; taking it seriously is to do it a disservice. (A series that also includes titles like Leprechaun in Space and Leprechaun in the Hood more or less speaks for itself.)

Dan O'Grady (Shay Duffin) catches a leprechaun and prepares for a life of riches with the little fellow's pot of gold. But the wily Leprechaun (Warwick Davis) won't go without a fight. He manages to take out Dan and his wife (Pamela Mant), but not before being trapped in a crate, sealed by the magic power of a four-leaf clover.

Ten years later, J.D. (John Sanderford) has bought the abandoned house and drags his complaining daughter, Tory (Jennifer Aniston), there for the summer. Tory decides that things won't be so bad when she gets a glimpse of handsome painter Nathan (Ken Olandt), who works with younger brother Alex (Robert Hy Gorman) and misfit Ozzie (Mark Holton).

While poking around in the basement, Ozzie accidentally releases the Leprechaun. But he and Alex also find the hidden stash of gold, which they intend to keep. They take one piece into town for testing, and Ozzie accidentally swallows another piece while trying to bite on it. The Leprechaun will have none of it, and stops at nothing to get his property back.

A writing and directing debut by Mark Jones, Leprechaun actually does offer a deft balance between its comedy and its more shocking sequences; we can feel our laughter being stifled in shocking ways. Indeed, it's hard to stifle a laugh watching the Leprechaun tool down the road in a toy car, although the sequence takes a dark turn as the creature torments and murders the police officer who pulls him over.

The villain makes sense, as he works to stop greedy humans from trying to get-rich-quick by stealing his stuff. Warwick Davis, then best known for Wicket the Ewok in Return of the Jedi, and the title adventurer in Willow, brings a touch of class to the role. And the heroes are a lovable band of misfits, peopled with Mark Holton (Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Teen Wolf) and, of course, Jennifer Aniston, in her movie debut. Aniston is already a star here; she's luminous onscreen, and has her comic persona — soon to be seen on the hit series Friends — down.

Leprechaun may not be smart, or subtle, but horror hounds that tune into its fun vibe can consider themselves lucky.