"The Leprechaun Artist" is a middling episode for the new Twilight Zone. Based on a story written by James Crocker and adapted for the NTZ by Tommy Lee Wallace, who also directed, it's just not very exciting or interesting.

Cork Hubbert plays the leprechaun; he's a charming actor and is extremely sly and funny in this segment.  I've been a fan of his since his role as Brown Tom in Ridley Scott's "Legend," which he did the year before this new Twilight Zone episode, and he doesn't disappoint here. 

What is disappointing is the lackluster direction.  The three boys, played by Joey Green, Bradley Gregg ("Stand by Me"), and Danny Nucci ("Titanic"), are just that.  Three teenage boys.  They're not pushed to go beyond their acting capabilities, and all three give a routine performance.  Tommy Lee Wallace both adapted the story and directed, which might have been the downfall of the segment.  I looked up Wallace, and noted that he hasn't done much since 1998 in the directing chair.  He was also responsible for my least favorite episode of the NTZ, "Little Boy Lost," though he only directed that one. 

I will also mention that he directed the TV miniseries of Stephen King's "IT," which is my very favorite King book; I don’t think I need to say that I was extremely disappointed by that miniseries, though I'm not sure that anyone could have pulled off that book in the way it should have been filmed, on TV at least.  It almost needs a three picture handling, like "The Lord of the Rings" received, to do it justice.  In fact, I'd love to see what Peter Jackson could have done with "IT." I sense a new project for him here.  :-)

In short, watch this for Hubbert's performance and also for the special effects, which come into play when the three boy's wishes are granted.  They are excellent as always.