Review of Defendor (2009) by Aaron N — 01 May 2010

Defendor: Look out, termites. It's squishing time.

Another entry in the realm of average person takes up the job of superhero. While not as well done as the recent Kick-Ass or as oddly touching as the Michael Rappaport film Special, this film nevertheless makes good enough work of its premise due to Woody Harrelson's performance.

Harrelson stars as Arthur, a man living in solitary, who puts on a costume at night to fight crime as Defendor (emphasis on the "OR"). His skills consists of a utility belt full of marbles and jars of wasps, bad puns, and his weapon of choice - a WWI trench club. Defendor's goal is to defeat his arch nemesis, Captain Industry, who he has had trouble finding. One night, Defendor breaks up a "situation" involving a prostitute, played by Kat Dennings, and a corrupt cop, played by Elias Koteas. Soon, Defendor befriends the prostitute, who claims to know where Captain Industry is. It will be up to him to finally stop Capt. I., that is if he can escape the realm of real world troubles.

The film certainly benefits from Harrelson's performance, otherwise it would just be another entry into this type of very specific genre. There's nothing really exceptional about the way it is put together, other than Defendor's unique utilities and the very on the nose scoring for the film. Still, it does manage to be darkly funny at times, and does have some memorable moments scattered in there. But it all comes back to Harrelson who gives the film its heart.

Worth a rental.

Chuck Dooney: Who writes your dialogue? Superman?

Defendor: No. I write it myself.

Chuck Dooney: You know what? You need a good ghost writer. Somebody with talent.

Defendor: No. You need a ghost writer. 'Cause that's what you're going to be after I pulverize you.