Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Leprechaun: Origins’

Written by Scott Edwards

Ever hear about that little guy that is hiding at the end of the rainbow and has a pot of gold? Me neither, although it seems like a good thought to have once in a while when you are feeling down. I wonder if there really are the little leprechauns that our parents told us about as children, running around and telling us not to lay a hand on their treasure. But that has also given me another thought, what do these little people do with their gold? I mean, they would be rich by today’s standards and would be able to buy whatever they want. And if they do not want us to take the gold, then why don’t they put it in the bank, since safety deposit boxes are generally a pretty safe place to put things these days.

Sophie, Ben, Jeni and David are all on vacation and looking to have a good time on the Irish countryside. Taking a daytrip to a small town, the group is taking in the sights and spy a large stone marker on their way in, and at least Sophie’s interests are piqued. Heading into the local pub, the group starts talking about their future over a pint and Sophie comes clean about taking a break from her history major to spend time with Ben who is going to a different school. When discussing what the benefits would be of doing a thesis on the small town they are currently residing in, along with how much history the pub holds, the group is interrupted by a local who has a story to tell.

Hamish overhears the conversation and tells them about another group of rocks with markings that were found in a cave not too far from town. Saying that it might be the beginning of life in the isles, Sophie’s thirst for knowledge is stronger than her conviction to stick to the plan. Accepting the invitation that Hamish has extended, the group is ready to stay another night in the town. Listening to Hamish’s stories while riding to their new accommodations, the group finds out that the ancient cave was turned into a mine after gold was discovered in its depths. Arriving at their cabin, the group gets ready to get cozy, but when the night closes in, there is something else hiding in the country side, something that is looking for blood.

As a creature is lurking through the cabin, the group finds that they have been locked in with no way of escaping. Finding the route that the creature used to get in, they are able to get out, but still being in the middle of the country, they do not know where to run. Finding the house that they passed when getting a ride, the group quickly finds out that they are not the first victims of the creature and probably will not be the last unless they are able to do something about it. Finding an old book in the basement, Sophie finds out what is after them, a leprechaun that is looking to be paid back for its loss. Being held as a sacrifice is not the group’s idea of a good time and when they are ready to head back upstairs, Hamish and his son show up. While Sophie knows what they have to do to reach safety, they are being held in the basement while the leprechaun is hunting around the house. Escaping one trap, the group has fallen into another with little chance of escaping, however they do not know what will appease the old beast, only that they need to get back to the marker they passed when coming into town.

You know, if you throw out the notion that all leprechauns are short little dudes who wear green and smoke a pipe while yelling at you to stay away from their pot of gold, this movie is really pretty darn entertaining. Even with a guy that has played a conventional leprechaun now being a beast from your nightmares, it is a nice escape from everyday life. I would have liked a little bit more gore up front, but overall, I did enjoy this movie and hope they have another beast come back to retrieve the gold that the other one lost. I am however a little bit lost with what makes a leprechaun so thirsty for blood. Since they are able to sneak around without anybody finding them all of the time, they could have just taken their gold back, but that is neither here nor there, it is in Ireland and that is hopefully where the lore of the killer leprechaun will stay. Stay Scared!

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