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Special Features
Woody Harrelson, Kat Dennings and Filmmakers Commentary
Featurettes
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
Featurettes
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
At first glance, Defendor might look like a slapstick comedy or a low-budget superhero movie, but its DNA lies more with Taxi Driver (though it's considerably gentler in tone than Martin Scorsese's classic). Arthur Poppington (Woody Harrelson, Zombieland) just wants to make the world a better place; unfortunately, he's a bit dim and has delusions of grandeur that lead him to skulk around the urban jungle in a black turtleneck with a duct-taped D on his chest. His floundering but relentless efforts to bring down a drug-dealing pimp and a crooked undercover cop (Elias Koteas, The Adjuster) earn him the respect of a teen prostitute (Kat Dennings, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) and the psychiatrist (Sandra Oh, Sideways) assigned by the court to do a psychiatric evaluation--but that may not be enough to keep him alive when confronted with real danger. The key to Defendor is that, though the plot may be implausible, it's grounded in realistic and well-drawn characters. The excellent cast (also featuring Michael Kelly, whose face will be familiar from many a supporting role) plays everything vividly real, which keeps Arthur's struggle compelling. Defendor is a surprisingly sincere and complex movie, worth watching whether you're a fan of superheroes or not. --Bret Fetzer
Product Description
Arthur Poppington (2009 Golden Globe® Nominee Woody Harrelson) doesn’t need superpowers or fancy toys to fight crime. Armed only with a childlike sense of wonder and his quirky arsenal of cheap, homemade gadgets, he becomes DEFENDOR! He finds an unexpected partner when he rescues and falls for a local prostitute (Kat Dennings, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist). Can the two of them take down the city’s most fearsome crime boss without getting killed in the process?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
While marketed as a comedy, Defendor is actually a dark and touching crime drama. But while you can't expect Woody's comedy antics a la Zombieland, expect one of the best performances of his career.
By day, Arthur Poppington is a construction worker with a below-average IQ. By night, he's Defendor, dishing out justice with makeshift weapons (reminding us in his gruff Batman voice that "guns are for cowards"). But while the movie starts out light and funny, it evolves into something both dark and sad. With the flood of recent superhero movies, Defendor reminds us that reality isn't always so super.
The real story here is the unlikely friendship between Defendor and a drug-addicted prostitute, in his ongoing mission to take down Captain Industry. Woody is terrific in the role, bouncing between his wacky self and a vulnerable man-child who still believes in justice.
For this being his first directing gig, Peter Stebbings hits a bullseye. There's great cinematography and lighting, and Stebbings playfully throws out a few superhero flick cliches. John Rowley serves up one of the best movie scores I've heard in a while, with a powerful and dark superhero soundtrack. The supporting cast is also top-notch, from Elias Koteas and Sandra Oh to Clark Johnson (The Wire/Homicide).
You will enjoy this movie if you go into it with the understanding that it's not a comedy. It's a dark drama with splashes of humor and violence, and a very powerful ending.
By day, Arthur Poppington is a construction worker with a below-average IQ. By night, he's Defendor, dishing out justice with makeshift weapons (reminding us in his gruff Batman voice that "guns are for cowards"). But while the movie starts out light and funny, it evolves into something both dark and sad. With the flood of recent superhero movies, Defendor reminds us that reality isn't always so super.
The real story here is the unlikely friendship between Defendor and a drug-addicted prostitute, in his ongoing mission to take down Captain Industry. Woody is terrific in the role, bouncing between his wacky self and a vulnerable man-child who still believes in justice.
For this being his first directing gig, Peter Stebbings hits a bullseye. There's great cinematography and lighting, and Stebbings playfully throws out a few superhero flick cliches. John Rowley serves up one of the best movie scores I've heard in a while, with a powerful and dark superhero soundtrack. The supporting cast is also top-notch, from Elias Koteas and Sandra Oh to Clark Johnson (The Wire/Homicide).
You will enjoy this movie if you go into it with the understanding that it's not a comedy. It's a dark drama with splashes of humor and violence, and a very powerful ending.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
While KICK-ASS (Opening April 16, 2010) got all the press, DEFENDOR has all the heart. A sweet but dark combination of TAXI DRIVER and BATMAN, DEFENDOR answers the question of 'what if super-heroes' existed in a very sentimental yet mature manner. Woody Harrelson's portrayal of Arthur Poppington is just as worthy of an Oscar nomination as his role in THE MESSENGER. Harrelson's Poppington is a mentally challenged adult dealing with a very dark and tragic childhood by taking on the persona of 'The Defendor,' a comic book inspired super-hero. Writer-Director Peter Stebbings captures the true magic and meaning comic book heroes have in our modern society. Placing the innocence of Harrelson's Poppington/Defendor in the midst of a very real city suffering from corrupt cops, drug dealers, child sex trafficers and abused prostitutes makes for a very unique and adult viewing experience. The film is a sometimes lyrical poem, a sad reminder of how it is and how it would be for a real super-hero. Yet, unlike KICK-ASS, DEFENDOR is a reminder that there is value and valor in morality, courage and doing the right thing in the face powerful evil. DEFENDOR, like KICK-ASS, does goes for the laughs. There are moments of brilliant and hilarious humor to be found here, both dark and sweet. Unlike KICK-ASS, there are also moments of genuine sentiment and inspiration. The two films tell the same story in very different ways. It's a shame that KICK-ASS will make millions and become a pop-culture hit while DEFENDOR will have to tough it out on home video. Hopefully, DEFENDOR will develop a cult following and in time get the true praise and audience it deserves.
23 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Dan Mcgarry
Format:DVD
When I saw the previews of this I thought it would be a formulaic comedy, with Woody Harrelson playing a jerk.
I was surprised to find the previews misleading, and Woody's character is actually mildly retarded, and somewhat delusional. It has its moments of humor, but none of it is cruel. Arthur is slow and believes he's a super hero, but no one makes fun of him. In fact they're all somewhat in awe of him and his misguided beliefs in absolute good and evil. It is poignant and actually has some tear jerk moments, along with its moments of almost slapstick humor.
Bottom line - see it.
I was surprised to find the previews misleading, and Woody's character is actually mildly retarded, and somewhat delusional. It has its moments of humor, but none of it is cruel. Arthur is slow and believes he's a super hero, but no one makes fun of him. In fact they're all somewhat in awe of him and his misguided beliefs in absolute good and evil. It is poignant and actually has some tear jerk moments, along with its moments of almost slapstick humor.
Bottom line - see it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not really a comedy but amazing.
I love this movie. It is moving and endearing. Woody Harrelson is so great in it. The other actors are also first notch.
Published 25 days ago by Tru Son
5.0 out of 5 stars
the best
Awsome, funny, but tragic. You'll laugh but you might also tear up a bit.
One of the best superhero movies out there.
One of the best superhero movies out there.
Published 1 month ago by Mick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this movie
If Forrest Gump was a crime fighter it would have been like this movie. I love it. Pulls on all the right strings at all the right times. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Italo La Posta
3.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, Funny, with a Touching End
An under the radar film with a lot going for it but not enough to keep it totally afloat. Woody plays a mentally challenged man who sees himself as a caped vigilante. Read more
Published 3 months ago by WinfieldH StrockIII
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed Feelings
This movie wasn't too bad...worth a watch, but probably not much more in my opinion. Woody Harrelson was really good in this and it was pretty good overall, but it seemed a little... Read more
Published 4 months ago by HeavyMetalSushi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising --
I ordered a number of films with Sandra Oh, about whom there is something special, assuming this would be the lightest, the weakest of the lot; comic book stuff. Read more
Published 7 months ago by JNagarya
4.0 out of 5 stars
Way Better Than You Think
When this movie came out there were comparisons to Kick Ass. Then it got lost in the shuffle with Super. This is not a comedy, though there are a few nice moments. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Arlington J. Trombley Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A+ Movie
Fan of woody and he never disappoints.This movie was very well written I enjoyed it alot.Alot of heart and soul thoughout the whole movie.
Published 8 months ago by Johnmrrs
4.0 out of 5 stars
Depends with you're looking for
*It should be noted that this film is more worthy of 3.5 stars, ergo only slighty above average*
This is an interesting film with a more or less realisitic approach to its... Read more
This is an interesting film with a more or less realisitic approach to its... Read more
Published 8 months ago by TEck93
4.0 out of 5 stars
SLOW
Woody Harrelson stars as the dimwitted good hearted vigilante Defendor. (I KNOW HOW TO SPELL IT!) He makes friends with Kat Dennings, a prostitute, who cares for him after a street... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Michael Ledo
