Review of Pontypool (2009) by Lucy M — 21 Jan 2014

This film is still as wonderfully effective on its umpteenth viewing. Pontypool is NOT the zombie-dross I originally expected from the already ultra saturated genre. It is fresh, interesting and has a surprisingly new feel. The cast are few and the environment claustrophobic.

The film is set in a remote Radio Station in Ontario, Canada and we are introduced to the drunk, sarcastic tones of DJ Grant Mazzy played perfectly by Stephen McHattie and backed up beautifully by the Producer and Radio assistant. The 3 characters begin to receive increasingly disturbing reports of odd goings on in town that get more bizarre and horrifing as time goes by. The films success lies in the casts amazing reactions to the crackly and disturbing reports. It sticks you on the edge of your seat and is quite unnerving but also has dark comedic moments.

The premise for the zombification is very interesting indeed and I wont go into it here, I'll leave it for you to find out for yourselves. It's different, clever and thought provoking making Pontypool one of the more intelligent Zombie flicks that is definitely worthy of your time.

I'm currently reading the book it was based on: Pontypool Changes Everything. Quite different but equally unnerving.