Blu-ray Review – Defiance

1980's "Defiance" is a B-movie that doesn't aspire to be much more than a basic vigilante drama, with New York City its playground as it explores tensions between a neighborhood of decent folks trying to survive against a roving gang of violent thugs. It's not an especially accomplished film, but director John Flynn ("Rolling Thunder," "Lock Up") works hard to create streetwise tension, paying attention to character and motivation to the best of his ability. Not helping the cause is star Jan-Michael Vincent, who sleepwalks through the feature, putting pressure on his charismatic co-stars to deliver some sense of life. Still, the basic ingredients of aggression remain vivid in "Defiance," helping the movie achieve entertainment value that nears campiness, endeavoring to position Vincent as an urban superhero, taking on the scum of the Earth in this obvious "Death Wish" knockoff. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com