Review: Leprechaun 2 (1994)

Immediate sequel to the surprising hit original, Leprechaun 2 is a funny little slasher pic and has a good energy about it. Unlike the original, a lost gold coin isn't all that the little killer is after: he wants a bride, and she happens to be the descendent of his last ill-fated fiance from a thousand years ago.

The young lead couple are merely serviceable in their duties. But, Uncle Morty aims to steal the show from Warwick Davis' limerick-spoutin killer. Morty (Sandy Baron) is a down-on-his luck shyster and double-crosser who pits his crooked wits againt the leprechaun and almost comes out on top. The best part of the flick would be the St. Paddy's Day bar scene where the two have a drink-off.

There are some nice touches as well. The tree where Lep lives and holds his bride-to-be hostage is on the grounds of the famed and neglected Houdini house. The irish whiskey bits were funny. There are also some shoe-polishings and a go-kart scene that harken back to the original.

I'll go ahead and recommend this one as a lesson on how to use a low budget. Though, if you're looking for continuity, this whole serious is definitely not for you: each flick has nothing to do with the former. There is no Leprechaun resurrection at the beginning. Sure, he died in the last one - just move on.