Review of Pontypool (2009) by Charles Austin M — 21 Feb 2014

You know, I had fairly low expectations for this flick, based on some of the reviews; but, surprisingly, this oddly nonviolent zombie film becomes engrossing in the same way late-night "paranormal" radio can become engrossing, regardless of the lack of actual content.

Stephen McHattie gives a remarkable performance/monologue as an Art Bell/Don Imus style talk show host who's more than tipsy and quarantined in the basement of a tiny radio station in a remote Canadian town besieged by a zombie plague caused by a virus that is apparently spread by the English language.

I know, it sound like a campy setup for a Simon Pegg comedy, but "Pontypool" actually delivers some legitimate chills. Stephen McHattie is riveting, carrying the burden of the movie's tension on his performance alone.

For me, it helps that I have some experience in small-town radio, because the realism of the confusion and off-mike banter is urgent and convincing. All told, this is one of the more offbeat zombie flicks I've ever seen, but I found it pleasantly terrifying.