Leprechaun Returns (2019)

I just had to rent LEPRECHAUN RETURNS from my local Redbox. The pull was irresistible. This is just who I am. I can't say no to a straight-to-video horror sequel no matter how unpromising it may look. I will watch any HOWLING, CHILDREN OF THE CORN or HELLRAISER that is thrown at me. I've also got a massive soft spot for irreverent cartoon villain horror flicks and feel a profound sadness that RUMPLESTILTSKIN, PINOCCHIO'S REVENGE and DOLLY DEAREST are one-offs. It's in my video store blood. Something in my heart assures me that even if the movie is bad if I drink enough beer while watching it, I will feel one hundred percent safe from the horrors of the world. I know what I'm doing. I even told myself that if LEPRECHAUN RETURNS was horrible that I was not allowed to grumble while making the long walk back to the grocery store in the summer heat to return it because what the hell did I expect? Of course, it wasn't going to be good. The reality is the idea of renting a LEPRECHAUN movie has always been a lot more fun than the actual watching of a LEPRECHAUN movie (except maybe Part 4 IN SPACE which is pretty darn hilarious). My expectations were low. All I wanted was a time killer and maybe the nostalgic rush of feeling like I was renting from a mom and pop video store circa 1996-ish. Here's the twist…I kind of loved it. In fact, I think it's the LEPRECHAUN sequel I've always wanted. It's the best since the first (I realize that's not saying much but I do enjoy the original, silly as it is).

Much like last year's HALLOWEEN, LEPRECHAUN RETURNS wipes the sequel slate clean and is a direct continuation of the first film. It takes place in the same house (which is now home to a sorority), involves the daughter of the original's heroine and even sports a twenty-five years older survivor (MARK HOLTON). The most profound alteration is the recasting of the titular menace but remarkably, newbie LINDEN PORCO does an exceptional turn in place of WARWICK DAVIS (and sorry, he might even be an improvement). Director STEVEN KOSTANSKI (THE VOID) got his start in make-up effects, which ensures that the diminutive demon looks more horrific than ever before. PORCO's take is much more fairy tale cackling witch-like and he's prone to ripping his face off revealing a grimacing skull for added terror. The effects across the board are consistently top-notch and the creative kills are timed perfectly following the old school slasher template. The cast is pretty great too. Lead TAYLOR SPREITLER as Lila is so down to earth normal and likable and she's got wonderful comic timing. She kind of reminded me of a young LINDA BLAIR and I don't say that lightly. As you'd expect, there's a plethora of one-liners, sight gags, and double entendres; some definitely land better than others but it wouldn't really be a leprechaun movie without a couple of dad-joke groaners. Most importantly, the movie is fun. It knows exactly what made flippant horror sequels such crowd pleasures back in the day and it delivers the goods.  

This isn't prestige horror and that's precisely the point. I can't tell you it's not goofy because it was built to be goofy but goofy is such a much-needed commodity these days. It brings me such joy. I know it's lowbrow but it's lowbrow in a way that high brow just can't compete with- sorta like a hot dog. If you don't like dopey movies feel free to skip right past this but if you enjoy, snickering gore, Mr. Roper-esque 4^th wall destruction and MAD Magazine level wise cracks, you're in for a pot of gold. Personally, I needed the guffaws and let me say there's a celebrity impersonation within the movie that made me laugh out loud (it's kinda brilliant). They really went out of their way to honor the first entry (awww, the little guy is still obsessed with organizing shoes!) and it did my heart good to see the OG respected in such a way.  The poor leprechaun has always been regulated to the second tier horror icon ghetto (with folks like WARLOCK and THE WISHMASTER) and perhaps rightly so considering how lackluster his continuing adventures have been. If the little guy got a follow up like this in the first place maybe that wouldn't have been the case. As someone who had a blast seeing the original in the theater, I have to say this is the very first sequel that didn't leave me with a feeling of disappointment. Some say the third times the charm but in this case it's the seventh. Looks to me like this series luck has finally changed or maybe I'm just partial to redheads.