Director: Charles Band
Year: 2013
Country: USA
Alternate Titles:
Genre: Supernatural Slasher; Horror/Comedy
Plot:
Looking to win a modeling competition, a group of girls at a remote Gothic mansion trying to get the top prize are slowly removed by a greedy entrepreneur in the competition through the use of powerful leprechaun gemstones, and when they get tired of being pawns strike back against their plans.
Review:
This was quite a fun cheesefest. That in itself is the greatest aspect featured here which runs rampant throughout the film. This is apparent from the very beginning with the introduction to the Leprechaun and the other monsters attempting to look into the human world and to segue from that into one of the hokiest excuses for a modeling show which looks incredibly cheap and low-rent if it were a real show. Getting to see the monsters run around the mansion conducting their brand of mayhem on the competition is all the more fun for how long it goes on into the film before they find out what’s going on as their mischievous antics allow for some cheesy fun here. Manipulating themselves into looking like the others which not only allows for some cheesy nudity but also giving off the chance to see their magical powers in action and all that entails. Overall, this is the best aspect of this one.
The main aspect really holding this one back is the sheer audacity of the premise which is decidedly so goofy it's impossible to take seriously. Indeed, that is the whole point here with this one but the make-up work here is truly laughable in terms of their overall appearance as each of the creatures has something to dislike. The Leprechaun’s frizzy hair and slick face glean in the light unnecessarily, the cyclops’ face is nearly immobile, making it’s source materials obvious and the oracles are just silly expressionless masks. That goes together with the constant fantasy-laden magic effects and a lighter tone through the constant spying on everyone looking to find the source of the missing magic to create far more of a comedic-fantasy than a genuine horror film, especially in the latter half where the mischievous beings are revealed to be controlled by evil forces all along and all the horror elements are dropped considerably. When you don’t fear the main creatures, the film has issues that are hard to overcome.
That also extends to the cast who are somewhat above-average but still troublesome. Tiffany Thornton is all right as Audrey, a stereotypical goody-two-shoes who’s kind and considerable but way too nice to have made it that far in the competition without any kind of edge, meaning the character is fine but out-of-place in a story like this. Nikki Leigh as Sheila is also strikingly nice, but the one-track mind of a dumb blonde model obsessed with her weight is a big stereotype. Masiumi Max as the edgy Asian Mika is the best of the bunch, being there for a clear purpose and wholly capable of defending herself if the situation calls for it. She’s matched nicely by Alex Rose Wiesel as Darla, who’s out for herself only and willing and wanting to step on anyone she comes across to get there, making her memorable if way too cliched. Anna Sophia Berglund as ditsy blonde Erin is another one-note character who’s clearly willing to get around the rules by sleeping with judges but doesn’t do anything special like the other girls. These are what hold this one back the most.
Overview: **/5
A wholly fun and charming cheesefest that works well in that regard yet still has some fundamental issues with its setup and execution at times that might be damaging or intriguing for viewers depending on their tastes. This is essentially a one-note recommend in those who prefer this kind of film or the studio's other works should check it out while those that don't for either of those categories should avoid altogether.
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