Onto Leprechaun 3! After the stupidity and disappointment of the second Leprechaun film I was less then thrilled to jump into the next installment. But, like a real trooper, I tried to step into Leprechaun 3 with an open mind. Needless to say I was equally baffled by the stupidity of this movie.
The story revolves around a young and somewhat ambitious college student named Scott. He is on his way to his first semester of college but decides to stops in Las Vegas to see what it is like. Consequently he runs into a young and buxom magic act performer who he helps by giving her a ride to her job. There, as a thank you for the ride, she sneaks him into the casino, even though he is under age.
And then the stupid choices by everyone in the film ensue.
Scott cashes his check from his parents--meant for tuition and housing--and exchanges the money for poker chips. And, as we have all already guessed is going to happen, he loses all of his parents money. (What compelled him to think that was a good idea?)
Oh well, they have to get the plot rolling somehow in these cheap horror-comedy slasher flicks. (Although I don't know how anyone can validly call this comedy OR horror. I never laughed once unless I was scoffing the sheer stupidity of what was happening.)
Anyways, Scott is broke as a choke and goes over to a pawn shop to sell his grandfather's wrist watch for more money to gamble with. There he finds the pawn shop in disarray and the pawn shop owner dead on the floor. At first he tries to help the owner but is ultimately distracted by a little gold coin. (Really? You were distracted by the little gold coin when you've found a man who has been murdered? Whatever.) Scott then wishes he could have all his money back and this magical coin grants his wish. Scott finds himself back in the casino on a lucky winning streak.
And that is how the Leprechaun begins his killing spree in this strange third instalment. Scott has taken one of the precious gold coins and the irritating little bastard wants his money back. And of course the coin happens to be stolen and passed from rotten greedy person to rotten greedy person until the Leprechaun has killed them all! (Well, it is a slasher movie! We had to figure out a reason and way to kill people somehow!)
And of course there is a strange and seemingly inapplicable strip scene-- followed by an awkwardly long sex scene--that tied in with one of the murder sequences. I guess they had to get people to come see their movie in one way or another! Throw some nudity and sex in and the teenage boys will come! That's how it works right?
Now don't get me wrong. I have no issue with sexual content or violence in films--obviously or else my favorite film genre wouldn't be horror. But simply throwing explicit content in without a real reason except for the pure entertainment factor makes the film seem invalid and careless.
I give up.
Now, the movie wasn't so terrible as some of the other films I've seen. I've seen movies that are way worse than this. But it doesn't make it good. This company saw the slasher genre slowly dying and decided to jump on at the tail end with this series. And the first movie wasn't bad, I rather enjoy it. But then to take a film that is just okay and to make sequels out of it seems like a joke (except to make money for the film company of course). We all know that it is possible to make a interesting and enjoyable slasher film. They exist (Halloween, Black Christmas, Friday the 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, etc.). But it is easy to take a well established formula and just cash in. And that is how these films feel. They seem cheap and careless. There was no charm that was found in the original film or in the genre in general.
There are some movies that are so stupid that they are funny and enjoyable. And then there are movies that try to purposefully be stupid--like this one--and fail. It simply tries too hard, and that's sad because there is obvious potential hidden in some of the ideas and concepts. There were moments I saw the humor and wanted to laugh. But none of those ideas connect or work together to make a whole. A few floating ideas doesn't make a good horror movie.
Summing it Up
To space! Stay tuned!
Deaths: 6
Language: 3
Gore Factor: 4
Sex Factor: 4
Scare Factor: 1
Fun Factor: 1
Overall Rating: 2