The 'Leprechaun' films are ones that can be seen from either way. Some people will, and do, consider them guilty pleasures not to be taken seriously, most acknowledging that they are not necessarily great films. Others will, and do, dislike them for mostly being cheap, far from scary, too dumb to be entertaining and not very interesting.

Finally decided to see all the 'Leprechaun' films to see which above extreme they would fall under, being on a horror franchise roll recently. Even when genuinely trying to judge them for what they are and what they're trying to do, am going to agree with the latter. Disliked the first film as far as the previous three films go, and while the next two were marginal improvements they were not particularly good either while up to this point of the series the fourth film fares the worst.

'Leprechaun in the Hood', while a marginal improvement over 'Leprechaun 4: In Space', for me is among the weakest of the franchise. Apart from a few bright spots most of the film is poorly executed for reasons that are similar and even the same as the previous four films.

Once again, Warwick Davis is the best thing about 'Leprechaun in the Hood', like he was with the previous four films so that was not a surprise. He really does throw himself into the role and has enough moments of amusement and grotesque creepiness. The material is beneath him but he gives it his conscientious best and one of the few assets of the film that showed signs of trying.

Aside from Davis, there are a few mildly amusing moments and the idea was a weird but interesting one. That's pretty much it.

However, the production values look cheap, very sloppy and hasty looking and the special effects look as if they were made as a last minute afterthought with the small remainder of what was left of the budget. Can't say anything good about the music this time, it was repetitive and is neither well-placed, memorable or appealing to listen to. The rap song was abysmal as a song, with lyrics that try to be cheesy fun but instead are inane and grating, and was not necessary.

The direction has such an indifferent feel to it, and apart from Davis the acting is awful, struggling to do anything with lead characters that have no personality and irritating supporting ones behaving vaguely and idiotically. Ice-T came over as really out of place and was just annoying.

Very like as with before, 'Leprechaun in the Hood' is particularly undone by the script and story. There is nothing funny in the script, it was instead very crude and childish with forced moments of whimsy. Everything sounded so awkward and contrived. On top of not making sense to the point of incoherence, the story overdoes the dumb factor with an ending that is so over-the-top ridiculous it's laughable. It is also often uneventful, with some dragging on forever stretches that feel like padding. There is nothing scary or suspenseful due to the excessive predictability and no atmosphere. The kills completely lack creativity or anything unsettling, too many parts feel random and there are too many things added for no reason.

Concluding, not a well executed film at all. 3/10 Bethany Cox

A comedy that tries ever so hard to be funny but which fails at every step, LEPRECHAUN IN THE HOOD turns out to be way worse than the original, Jennifer Aniston-starring movie (I haven't as yet watched any of the movies in between, but on the strength of this I doubt I'll bother). It's a micro-budgeted attempt at crossing a traditional comedy horror with a blaxploitation movie, and it really is that bad.

Warwick Davis (who REALLY must have needed the money) returns to the fold as the Irish menace who sets his sight on some black rappers and gangsters. Ice-T is the only recognisable actor in the cast, and you wonder what bills HE needed to pay to be reduced to appearing in this. Everything about the film is horrible: the jokes fall flat, the performances are terrible, and by this stage there's no horror left in the premise. Just dodgy effects and dumb jokes, repeated for an hour and a half. Avoid it like the plague.

Mack Daddy O'Nasses (Ice-T) and Slug break through a wall and find jewels and a pot of gold. They also awaken a vengeful Leprechaun (Warwick Davis) when Slug steals the medallion. Slug is killed but Mack manages to escape when the medallion falls back around the Leprechaun's neck. Mack uses the riches to become a music mogul. Postmaster P., Stray Bullet, and Butch are struggling rappers trying to break into the business. Mack dumps the boys and they decide to take revenge by breaking into his office. He surprises them and they shoot him. The Leprechaun reawakens when the boys pulls off the medallion. They drop the medallion but keep the magical gold flute which can hypnotize people.

This movie initially gets me hyped up over Ice-T facing off against the Leprechaun. It simply works better with Ice-T. Even Warwick's joking around is better with him. He has all the charisma that the boys could ever hope for. The movie falters whenever it's only the boys. It's not much of a hood. It's not much of a story. It's not much of a movie.