DEFIANCE (Universal, 2013) Creators: Rockne S. O’Bannon, Kevin Murphy, Michael Taylor, w/ Grant Bowler, Stephanie Leonidas. Rating: NNN Blu-ray package: NN Rating: NNN
If your taste runs to alien races and a post-apocalyptic future, Defiance is enjoyable couch fodder, provided you’re willing to overlook some clunky writing and a tendency to throw internal logic to the wolves.
Fifty years from now on an Earth altered and devastated by a failed alien invasion, new law-keepers Josh Nolan (Grant Bowler) and his alien companion Irisa (Stephanie Leonidas, whose hardcore ferocity makes her the show’s most enjoyable character) deal with crimes, conspiracies and politics in the small independent mining town of Defiance, home to both humans and several varieties of immigrant off-worlders. Inter-species tensions abound.
Defiance is the first series I’ve seen or heard of that takes a pro-prostitution stance. Major characters pay to play, including our hero, and nobody bats an eye. Brothel owner Kenya (Mia Kirshner) is one of the good guys and proud of her skills.
The 10-minute making-of doc provides a fun but superficial look at costumes, effects and production design.
EXTRAS Making-of doc, video game tie-in doc, video diary, gag reel, deleted scenes. English audio and subtitles.
movies@nowtoronto.com
