Alright fellow tapeheads, slide that worn copy of Leprechaun 2 into the VCR, maybe give the tracking a little nudge, and settle in. Because if the original Leprechaun (1993) was a weird, slightly grimy surprise you found tucked away in the horror aisle, its sequel doubled down on the sheer Celtic craziness, cranked up the gore-gags, and cemented Warwick Davis as a truly iconic, if diminutive, slasher villain. Forget subtlety; this 1994 follow-up wears its absurdity like a badge of honour, splashed with questionable green lighting and the kind of logic found only at the bottom of a bottle of cheap whiskey.
### He's Back, and He Wants a Bride (Naturally)
Remember how the first film was vaguely set somewhere non-specific, possibly North Dakota? Well, toss that out. Leprechaun 2 beams our favourite gold-obsessed fiend straight into the heart of 90s Los Angeles, because… why not? The premise this time is delightfully bonkers: 1000 years ago, the Leprechaun was denied his rightful bride. Now, on his millennial birthday (which conveniently falls on St. Patrick's Day), he can claim her descendant, Bridget (played with earnest 90s charm by Shevonne Durkin). Standing in his way is her resourceful boyfriend Cody (Charlie Heath) and his perpetually drunk, tour-guide-schemer uncle Morty (the always welcome Sandy Baron).
It's a paper-thin plot, sure, but let's be honest, we didn't push 'play' for Shakespeare. We came for Warwick Davis chewing the scenery, spitting out terrible puns ("For pulling that switch, I'll stitch you up!"), and orchestrating some truly memorable mayhem. And on that front, Leprechaun 2 delivers in spades. Director Rodman Flender, who cut his teeth on Roger Corman productions and would later give us the similarly goofy horror-comedy Idle Hands (1999), understood the assignment: lean into the camp, keep the pace brisk, and don't skimp on the sticky stuff. Reportedly made because the original was such a surprising home video hit for Trimark Pictures, this sequel feels like it was greenlit over a weekend with the express goal of topping the original's weirdness.
### The Glory of Goofy, Gory Practical Effects
This is where Leprechaun 2 truly shines for us VHS lovers. Forget slick CGI – this is the era of latex, Karo syrup blood, and tangible, often hilariously gruesome, practical effects. Remember the sheer impact these felt like back then, watching on a fuzzy CRT? The Leprechaun dispatching unfortunate victims feels tactile and messy in a way modern effects often smooth over. There’s a glee to the kills here. The steam room sequence, where a poor soul gets cooked from the inside out? The sheer audacity of the go-kart chase sequence culminating in a messy end? It’s pure B-movie gold.
And who could forget Morty’s unfortunate encounter with the Leprechaun’s magical whiskey? The ensuing pot o' gold stomach-bursting illusion is pure practical effect artistry – ridiculous, over-the-top, and utterly unforgettable. It’s the kind of effect that probably looked amazing on the small screen after a few late-night sodas, even if the seams show a bit today. That raw, physical quality is precisely what we miss sometimes, isn't it? There's an inventiveness born from limitation here. Warwick Davis, buried under layers of latex makeup (reportedly a grueling process he gamely endured for the character), absolutely sells every mischievous grin and malevolent glare. He is the movie.
### A Relic of Its Time? Absolutely. Fun? You Betcha.
Let's not pretend Leprechaun 2 is high art. The script is flimsy, the supporting acting often veers into soap opera territory, and the whole thing has that distinct, slightly cheap sheen common to early 90s direct-to-video (or near enough) horror sequels. Critics at the time certainly weren't kind, but like so many genre flicks from the era, it found its audience huddled around VCRs, passing tapes amongst friends. It knew exactly what it was: a creature feature romp designed to entertain with puns, practical gore, and the undeniable charisma of its title character.
Warwick Davis himself seemed to relish the increasingly comedic direction the series was taking, apparently contributing many of the Leprechaun’s quips. You can feel that infectious energy bleeding through the screen. He elevates what could have been a forgettable monster into a genuinely memorable horror icon, albeit one firmly planted in the "horror-comedy" camp.
Rating: 6/10
Justification: While hampered by a weak script and some uneven performances, Leprechaun 2 earns its points through sheer unadulterated B-movie fun. Warwick Davis is magnificent, the practical gore effects are delightfully cheesy and creative for their time, and its embrace of utter absurdity makes it a standout piece of 90s horror schlock. It delivers exactly the kind of low-budget, high-energy creature feature chaos that defined so many glorious nights spent browsing the video store shelves.
Final Thought: It's loud, it's dumb, it's often ridiculous, but Leprechaun 2 is a potent shot of 90s VHS nostalgia, best served with low expectations and a healthy appreciation for practical goo. He wanted your gold, but he definitely stole a few hours of our rental time.