Leprechaun: In the Hood (2000)

Leprechaun in The Hood is possibly the roughest film in the genre. It has a meager budget, a problematic plot that uses a number of offensive stereotypes, and certain characters are represented in a really horrible caricature (most notably Fontaine). Despite this, it nevertheless manages to display a heart that is nearly unbelievable.

Postmaster P (Anthony Montgomery), Stray Bullet (Rashaan Nall), and Butch (Red Grant) are by far the best main characters in the series. In this installment, they even do better than the Leprechaun, which is saying a lot since the Leprechaun smokes pot with Ice-T.

With unreserved displays of love and compassion, their friendship is non-toxic. Despite the fact that they each stand alone as strong, charming persons.

Thanks to the excellent work of Montgomery, Nall, and Grant, this is possible (a genuine rarity in this franchise). I'd definitely be interested in watching a film about their existence as struggling artists.

It doesn't detract from the humor of the Leprechaun series, but rather adds a layer of complexity to the characters who would otherwise be one-dimensional.
The finest scenes in the film are those between the guys as they attempt to pull themselves together and keep their dream alive.

What's even more shocking is that (link here) they have the funniest scenes! Because of Butch's church dance, his effort to sell an obviously fake Hendrix instrument, and a genuine Scooby-Doo reference, they made me laugh considerably more than Leprechaun did.

It should not come as a shock that Leprechaun in the Hood is often of poor quality because of how it was made.

What's astonishing, however, is how much Postmaster P, Stray Bullet, and Butch have to contribute as characters. Yes, they are confined by the film they are placed in, but they all offer very real and passionate performances throughout, ending in the series' lone heartbreaking deaths.

Leprechaun 5 is a diamond in the rough by Leprechaun standards, but it's not particularly valuable.