Review of Pontypool (2009) by Matthew O — 17 Feb 2010

A deadly virus infects a small Ontario town, a tiny town radio station team try to piece together what is going on from their studio, as the situation gets worse and worse.

The virus theme is growing popular in modern cinema from the 28 days series to the resident evil series, but Pontypool is a more original take on this genre.

The film is almost entirely set in the radio station with a skeleton crew of three people, the first half build up is excellent, with panic ranging only kilometres away from the studio director Bruce McDonald really cranks up the tension with radio interviews, that may remind views of the Orson Welles radio 'war of the World adaptation in the 1930's.

Everything is held together by a good cast and a great turn from the films lead Stephen McHattie, as the unhinged DJ.

It almost falls flat in the final third of the film, with the release of the tension with the reveal of what the virus is and the appearance of the zombies, although the origins are very clever.

At this point the film falls slightly zombie generic in its execution.

The film works better when you don't see the zombies, the pure radio scenes are greatly acted and written.

Another point is the comedy which is hit and miss, with more added to the final third of the film, taking the edge off the movie.

Still Pontypool is a very original horror film worth seeking out.