Defendor Trailer: Woody Harrelson Is Canada’s Dark Knight

Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 3, 2009

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Did you know that Canada makes movies? It’s true, and often they’re actually quite good. Exotica, Maelstrom, Porky’s, the work of David Cronenberg, but now the Canadians are turning it up a notch and throwing their beaver fur hats into the biggest film genre yet. Take a look at Canada’s first superhero film… Defendor!

Harrelson’s gruff Christian Bale impression at the end of the trailer is awesome isn’t it? The movie looks to be an interesting mix of last year’s Special and John Ritter’s underappreciated 1980 gem, Hero At Large, which can only be a good thing. The trailer isn’t really paced all that well, but it hopefully gives a good idea as to the film’s intertwined humor and pathos. Here’s Defendor’s synopsis courtesy of Twitch:

Reality intersects with delusion in the mind of Arthur Poppington (Woody Harrelson), a regular man who adopts a superhero persona known as Defendor, and combs the city streets at night in search of his arch-enemy, Captain Industry. In his attempts to combat crime and bring down Captain Industry, a drug and weapons dealer who he mistakenly blames for the death of his mother, Defendor ends up befriending a young prostitute, Katerina Debrofkowitz (Kat Dennings). Armed with unconventional weapons of mass confusion, aided by his new friend, and putting his life on the line, Defendor proves that everyone is capable of making a difference.”

Defendor premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival, and will hopefully find US distribution soon. Harrelson is joined by Kat Dennings and Elias Koteas in writer/director Peter Stebbings’ debut film.

What do you think?

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ladyofthelake

What the f**k happened to Woody Harrelson’s career? Total waste of time. They must of made this movie on the cheap, because it looks like they spent $20 making it.

Cole_Abaius

The trailer looks pretty terrible. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea. I especially loved the very similar concept when it appeared in Special with Mike Rappaport - a highly underrated indie with a guy whose last name I can't spell and didn't have time to look up.

Oh Canada.

RobHunter

Yeah, reminded me of 'Special' too. Which is why I said so in the post. And the word you were looking for to describe that Michael Rapaport movie is 'overrated.'

mychaleg

arrrg i wanna see Special! it looked promising, you spiritcrusher. this Defendor, however...just kidding i'd watch it. much like Knowing, i'd rather just about anyone else be the lead, but i won't hold it against them.

trueman

My god what a crap!

Rohith

Was this supposed to be a joke "throwing their beaver fur hats into the biggest film genre yet" because I don't see any Canadian here walking around with a beaver fur hat

Don't get a bad impression on Canada by looking at cheap/crappy movies like this.

I have been to MANY cities in USA and in my opinion Toronto(the city I live in) is way better than the cities I have visited in USA.

The Standard of living is very similar to USA, but Canada is generally rated a lot better than the U.S.There are many reasons for this:

1) Free Healthcare
2) Less crowded and safer cities (Some citys are like American citys but due to more education we have less crime)
3) Less pollution
4) Expanding economy (compared to USA)
5) Low unemployment rates

ladyofthelake

This movie could of been made in India and I would of still said it looked like shit. It has nothing to do with the fact that it was made in Canada.

No need to say your better than America, ugh. I've got family in Canada, I know the country. I was in Toronto this summer during your 30 plus day garbage strike, lovely. It's alright I guess. I watched the news and guess what, you guys have the same crimes as we do even though you say your better educated. It really didn't seem like less.

Rohith

I have nothing against USA and I wouldn't have replied in that way if it wasn't for the way this article has been written.

When comparing homicide rates in Canada and USA, you'll find that the murder rate in USA is more than 3 times the Canadian rate.

Coming to the Garbage Strike....let's just say I know who to vote for in the next elections.

I have written several letters to the media and even the Mayors office regarding this issue and yes the response was very slow but I don't think a small strike like this could change my opinion of an entire city.

ladyofthelake

I don't know why this article upset you. But fine, what ever. I don't care about comparing homicide rates or whatever. I really could care less. I'm not feeding into this. My grandparents imigrated to Canada, livied in Toronto till they died, and my grandfather actually owned a beaver fur hat, swear to god. You know that generation were that shit was cool. If that's what got you so worked up so be it. You wanna be smug in return by saying you have less crime there and are more educated then fine. In the end nobody cares. I've said my peace, more than I should of.

Rohith

I think it's better if I don't continue the discussion on this topic.

Defendor Trailer: Woody Harrelson Is Canada’s Dark Knight

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