The Leprechaun Film Franchise, An Appreciation

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Oh, B-movies. What would sick days (or Syfy, for that matter) be without you?

St. Patty’s Day celebrations are all well and good, but give me some suspicious-looking green foods, throw in a little Warwick Davis and I’m a happy girl. Unfamiliar? Trust me, you’ve seen him. Davis played Wicket, the Ewok who helps Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi and Professor Flitwick and Griphook in the Harry Potter film series. And all you Willow lovers, you know that Davis plays the title role. Yeah, the guy’s got a reputable list.

And then there’s Leprechaun, a six-film franchise that is so terrible, it’s brilliant. Or, at least entertaining enough to curl up on your couch with a (root) beer or eight, and giggle to yourself shamelessly.

(More on Techland: Cryptozoology: Leprechauns)

Films 1-3 featured your average ancient-evil-Leprechaun-is-awakened-and-promises-to-grant-you-three-wishes-before-he-chops-you-up-with-his-shillelagh-stick story line. Davis plays the diabolical and just plain spooky Leprechaun who terrorizes the likes of Jennifer Aniston and yes, even Ice-T.

However it’s last three installments: Leprechaun 4: In Space, Leprechaun in the Hood, and Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood that really got some attention. Is it the new rule of thumb? Take your mediocre horror plot and put it in a wacky place? Well, it gets noticed at least. (See: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)

Still don’t know what I mean? Go turn on Syfy (they’re playing 1-4 today) and feast your eyes on some spectacularly shitty horror. Don’t worry about having an excuse, it’s St. Patrick’s Day. You’re still cooler than that dude on the street wearing the green top hat and over sized novelty classes. (Note to that dude: Read our St. Patty’s Day Survival Guide. You’re gonna need it.)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgJxLNjMtgg]