Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		2.5

Leprechaun: In the Hood Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 14, 2014

Note: This film is included in the bundle Leprechaun: The Complete Movie Collection.

“Hey, Leprechaun: you’ve been to Vegas and to outer space, where are you going next?” Well, it’s not Disney World, that’s for sure, as this fifth entry in the seemingly indestructible Leprechaun series seems to prove, positing our scheming little green man in the decidedly treacherous world of rap music. Once again seemingly divorced from previous films in the series, Leprechaun: In the Hood gives Warwick Davis’ malevolent sprite a musical mission of sorts this time around, and perhaps surprisingly, the result is often wryly amusing and even laugh out loud funny a couple of times.

Aside from the built in allure of seeing Ice-T co-starring with Warwick Davis, this particular Leprechaun outing also benefits (if that’s the right word) from frequent drug allusions and a kind of racy subtext involving the leprechaun’s sexual appetites. This entry in the series is often just flat out bat guano crazy, but that’s one of the reasons it can be so much fun, at least for those who may have taken a giant toke on a clover joint.

Leprechaun: In the Hood Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Leprechaun: In the Hood is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. This is one of the better, more consistently sharp and detailed, looking transfers in the new Leprechaun set, probably due at least in part to the fact that so much of the film plays out in relatively well lit settings. Colors are accurate looking, though the overall palette of this feature is a bit on the gritty side, understandable given its urban setting. Some of outdoor shots have substantial depth of field. Occasional midrange shots look slightly soft, and there's a probably intentional device of only showing the leprechaun in low lighting situations, leading to an incremental loss of detail with regard to Davis' make-up.

Leprechaun: In the Hood Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Leprechaun: In the Hood features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix that benefits from the "musical" elements, delivering an at times surprisingly forceful mix. Dialogue and sound effects are all mixed well and sound vivid and lifelike. There are no problems of any major import with this track.

Leprechaun: In the Hood Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary with Director Rob Spera


• The Leprechaun Chronicles Part Five - Evil's in the House (1080p; 18:39). (This has a slight audio anomaly at 18:10.)


• Theatrical Trailer (1080i; 1;52)


• Still Gallery (1080p; 4:22)

Leprechaun: In the Hood Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I've heard even fans of the Leprechaun series dismiss In the Hood as "pure crap." Well, that's the point, isn't it? The Leprechaun series virtually demands to be taken on its own terms, and that's probably nowhere more true than this installment. If you've always had a hankering to witness something akin to "this is your Leprechaun on drugs," you've found the perfect film. Technical merits here are generally strong, and the supplementary package is once again great.