Defendor

In the same week that Kick-Ass is released on DVD and Blu-ray, another similarly themed film hits the shelves in which a masked vigilante with no superpowers decides to take to the streets and mete out his own version of justice. Defendor begins in a psychiatrist's office in which a clearly disturbed individual, Arthur Poppington, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, is asked why he assaulted a dry cleaner and destroyed his business. Arthur says that the man was Captain Industry and needed bringing down for the good of the city. He also insists that his name isn't Arthur Poppington, but Defendor.

You then have a series of flashbacks to an Arthur/Defendor, wearing a dark outfit with a 'D' written on the front in duct tape and with a helmet which had a head torch and video camera attached. His weapons are only primitive -- marbles, wasps and a trench club that he inherited from his grandfather -- but they are extremely effective, as an early assault on and off duty police officer who is out hiring a prostitute indicates. Deciding to employ this prostitute as an informer (because that's what Rockford does), she moves in with him whilst he is looking for Captain Industry, he soon realises that she is well capable of looking after herself and it's him who could do with someone watching out for his safety!

It's quite clear that Arthur isn't quite 'all there' and suffers from a minor learning disability which has put in a state of arrested development and gives him a sense of childlike innocence and absolute lack of fear so he can walk into any situation thinking he will come out on top -- even if the other guys have guns. Paul, a good friend to Arthur, keeps an eye on him and make sure he is in employment, working as part of a maintenance crew, holding up the slow down/stop sign where the roadworks are and takes him to hospital when he shows up with bumps, bruises and missing teeth.

This debut feature by Peter Stebbings, a jobbing actor who also had a role in this film as a doctor, was just released at the wrong time as it hit screens at the same time as Matthew Vaughn's multi-million dollar comic book adaptation with almost exactly the same basic theme: a superhero without superpowers tried to clean up the streets with nothing more than an ability to absorb pain and a ridiculous outfit. Arthur takes his 'disguise' so seriously that, after beating up the cop, he goes into a diner and, still wearing his dark clothes and greasepaint bandit mask, sits down to enjoy some pancakes.


Despite the many funny moments and comedy set pieces, the focus of Defendor is more on the dramatic side with laughs emerging from the more ridiculous situations in which Arthur finds himself. As comparisons will undoubtedly be drawn between this and Kick-Ass, they are two very similar but also very different films as one is played for laughs and outrageous action set pieces whereas the other is more a dramatic piece and character study. Also, whereas the lead character in Matthew Vaughan's film chooses to be a superhero despite the fact he has no superpowers, in this film Arthur genuinely believes he is a superhero. I supposed in this case, the events could really take place if someone with an overactive imagination and no real sense of danger decided to don a costume, pick up some weaponry and equipment from a toy spy kit before going out and tackling hardened criminals.

Defendor is an interesting and involving piece with a tremendous central performance by Woody Harrelson whose interplay with Sandra Oh (as his psychiatrist) and Kat Dennings as Kat, the teenage runaway who takes an interest in the strange man in the costume is beautifully played with some splendid moments. When you have the supporting cast that includes the brilliant Elias Koteas and Michael Kelly (who was superb in the Clint Eastwood film Changeling), you know you are watching an extremely good movie. Kick-Ass may be a great deal more fun and certainly better written, but this has far more soul and depth and I certainly empathised with the lead character more.

The Disc

Extra Features
The commentary with writer/director Peter Stebbings, Woody Harrelson and Kat Dennings is a funny and informal affair although they do know when to provide information and ask for clarification of events.

There are seven minutes of deleted scenes, a blooper reel that is occasionally amusing (there are very few that are actually laugh out loud funny) and the theatrical trailer.

Fortunately, that's not all as there is, under the heading 'Featurettes', five documentaries look at different aspects of the filming process from the very inception and early development right through to the very end of post production. Totalling 56 minutes, this is well worth a look and gives a great deal of information about the entire project and so, if you are at all interested in the film, this is a fantastic addition to the disc.


The Picture
Though the image isn't high definition, it is still a very decent picture with good colours and clarity in the darker scenes. This is more 'down and dirty' than flashy and the fight scenes look as if they really hurt without any need for extravagant camera movements or top of the range SFX make-up.

Much of it is extremely grim with a fairly bleak palette befitting the tone and subject matter, such as the main character living in the headquarters of the roadwork company amongst all of the equipment and with no heating.

The Sound
The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is clear as you should expect from a brand-new release only several months out of the cinemas with excellent separation providing a fine soundstage, clear dialogue and good sound effects to go with the fine score.


Final Thoughts
I doubt that, in terms of sales, this will go head-to-head with Kick-Ass as there clearly is no competition between the two as Matthew Vaughn's movie is clearly better (unless you are Christopher Tookey) but this will be of interest to those who like comedic vigilante movies and are willing to try something a little out of the ordinary. Who knows, like Dark City and Near Dark (which were overshadowed by The Matrix and The Lost Boys respectively), this may go on to develop a cult following and be recognised as a much better film than it was originally considered on theatrical release.