Defendor

Director: Peter Stebbings

Stars: Woody Harrelson, Sandra Oh

Genre: Drama

Studio: Alliance Films

Audience Suitability: PG

Running Time: 102 Minutes

Release Date: Feb. 4, 2010

By Robert Waldman

Superheroes have been around for a long time. Trust Alliance Films to turn this genre on its head with Defendor. Comic book fans appreciate seeing their favourite literary crime fighters on the silver screen. Able to capitalize on this trend is director Peter Stebbings who, in an impressive debut, also co-wrote Defendor. Shot in Toronto, this small film takes a light hearted look at the life of your not so typical crime fighter.

Out to rid the world of all things bad is Arthur Poppington. Versatile actor Woody Harrelson (2012) continues his hot streak of taking on complex characters. Off the wall Arthur has a screw or two loose in the brains department. By day, this mild man gets by as a blue collar worker but when off duty he dons the super hero mantle and becomes Defendor.

Where he lives, Defendor sees scores of bad things happening. Not the brightest person on the planet, Defendor tries to strike fear in the hearts of local gangsters by improvising. Criminals and police officials together are mesmerized by this man’s approach to meting out justice. Audiences too will be both fascinated and highly amused at the lengths this man will go to try to make the streets safer.

Not too many locals give Defendor much of a chance to accomplish anything. When a street smart girl named Kat wanders into this caped crusader’s life things become even more convoluted. Kat Jennings (The 40 Year Old Virgin) captures the grittiness of street life and bonds well with our misunderstood vigilante.

Through his constant mis-steps Defendor becomes somewhat of a folk hero to the general public while trying to take down the bad guys. Encounters with the criminal element are played for laughs while exchanges with the police are also appealing. Far out situations become even more sensational and funny once Defendor has his mind set on doing things his way. One officer in particular, Chuck Dooney, particularly feels the wrath of Defendor and Elias Koteas (Collateral Damage) plays this role with considerable relish and zeal.

Dark humour abounds in Defendor which is one of the best black comedies in a long, long time. Stebbings has done his homework here and works through a very unusual offbeat scenario and hones in on a series of issues related to family, the justice system, and social work. Underdogs will be able to sympathize with Defendor's plight and root for his efforts no matter how misguided they may appear to be.

Made with Canadian taxpayer money, Defendor takes a light-hearted jab at super hero lore and sprinkles it with references to all those powers such heroes possess. Even Sandra Oh (Blindness) gets in on the act fresh off her appearance at the Vancouver Olympic games. Tongue in cheek fun all the way earns Defendor top marks as a wicked little pleasure with Woody Harrelson at his charming, conniving best.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com

Written by :

mutuel

 

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