Rumpelstiltskin

***When the popular imp of folklore is resurrected in the modern day*** This was obviously inspired by the success of “Leprechaun” from two years earlier. Much as Warwick Davis effectively brought to life the magical creature from Irish legend, so Max Grodénchik does so here with Rumpelstiltskin. He happens to resemble Marvel’s Hobgoblin from the 1980’s Spider-Man comics, which probably isn’t a coincidence. After an opening that takes place in the 15th century, the setting switches to present day Los Angeles where the protagonists make the mistake of purchasing an item at a back-alley curio shop. Isn’t this what set into motion the crazy events of “Gremlins”? Kim Johnston Ulrich stars as Shelley while Tommy Blaze eventually emerges as the amusing male protagonist, Max. Shelley is shown nude from behind in one scene, but it’s a body double because Kim refused to do it. She wasn’t happy with the results, however, because she didn't feel the double's derriere was as shapely as hers. While it’s hard to beat Jennifer Aniston in her youth in “Leprechaun,” “Rumpelstiltskin” is better IMHO because it’s less one-dimensional and redundant. The locations are diverse and there’s lots of action. I’d put it on par with “Leprechaun 2” and “Leprechaun 4,” although it’s not on the level of entertainment of “Leprechaun 3, mainly because it lacks Lee Armstrong as Tammy (lol). For anyone interested in a flick that’s a faithful rendition of the folk tale, check out 1987’s “Rumpelstiltskin” with Amy Irving. It runs 1h 27m and was shot in Los Angeles. GRADE: B-