The Luck of the Irish (2001) (TV)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Paul Hoen

Writers (WGA):

Andrew Price (story)
Andrew Price (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

9 March 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family | Fantasy | Sport

Plot:

A teenager must battle for a gold charm to keep his family from being controlled by an evil leprechaun. |

Plot Keywords:

Leprechaun | Irish American | Disney Channel Original Movie | School | Basketball

Cast

Ryan Merriman	...	Kyle Johnson
Henry Gibson	...	Reilly O'Reilly
Alexis Lopez	...	Bonnie Lopez
Glenndon Chatman	...	Russell Halloway
Marita Geraghty	...	Kate O'Reilly Johnson / Kate Smith
Paul Kiernan	...	Bob Johnson / Robert Smith
Timothy Omundson	...	Seamus McTiernen
Duane Stephens	...	Patrick
Charles Halford	...	McDermott
Ashley Chapman	...	Cheerleader
Brett Yoder	...	Drake Whitley
Emberson Bill	...	Native American Boy
Thurl Bailey	...	Mr. Holloway
Dustin Harding	...	Boy #1
Curley Green	...	History Teacher

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-G | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Juan Diego Catholic High School - 300 E. 11800 S, Draper, Utah, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When they are driving home from the basketball game the streets are wet but the sidewalks are dry.

Quotes:

Kyle: Dancing's not a sport.
Seamus McTiernen: [In generic stereotypical Irish accent] Ah, it is in Ireland

Disney's Not Completely Evil

Okay, I hadn't planned on this but it appears I must defend this movie. NO, this was NOT a great movie. Anyone who thinks so really needs to get educated in what makes a fine film. Basically nothing in this is great. On the otherhand, it's also not of the worst movies ever. Now as far as Disney Channel movies go this is about in the middle. I'm an adult, I found this somewhat enjoyable and not too terribly ludicrous or annoying. Believable? DUH! Of course this wasn't believable, it was a fantasy kinda like Star Wars and Mary Poppins... both great movies, neither highly believable. I tell ya, boyo, some people just gotta get an imagination to enjoy certain movies otherwise without a doubt they won't like them. People've also gotta realize that not every Disney Channel movie is playing to a wide ranging audience. This is clearly visible here. I don't believe the writers were thinking, `How will 40 year olds with a Masters Degree react to this part?' The writing and directing here, for the most part, is very simplistic. They weren't aspiring to reach Einstein-like intellectuals nor were they looking to please the true Irishman. So yes, on a grand scale this movie comes in below average. On a Disney Channel scale this comes in slightly above average. Couple things that were interesting: the Twin Peaks-ish musical score at times was practically the same as some of the musical score in Disney's The Poof Point... same dude, that's why. Obviously, he's not very original and surely Angelo Badalamenti is someone he emulates. Also, the casting of minorities - blatantly obvious in this and in SEVERAL Disney Channel movies where minorities are cast in supporting roles. Hardly ever is a Disney Channel movie chock full of white people. Unless a movie stars minorities like The Poof Point, Disney often feels the need to add minorities in supporting roles. In a way it's pathetic that they feel the need to do this. Don't get me wrong, i believe all people are equal. I just wonder what Disney's answer is! And why were these kids in Junior High School and not High School? Oh, I know, again Disney Channel is playing to a certain demographic. If these kids were supposed to be 14 and 15 years old then my name's Lucky O'Leprechaun. Well, in any case, this is a decent family movie and kids won't come away from it thinking anything bad or have a wrong impression about the Irish. What's here is harmless. Not well thought out, not appealing to everyone, but any adult with a decent imagination and some patience should enjoy it at least somewhat. One serious plus about this is the scenery. More movies oughta be filmed in Salt Lake City and the surrounding suburbs ‘cause it's just fantastic there! My grade for this movie: 5 Pints of Guinness out of 10... a.k.a. C-