Pontypool Review
Written by: Googopqp
Pontypool is a strange and inventive new zombie movie from director Bruce McDonald and it uses basically one room setting the entire movie and yet still manages to build up true suspense and great moments. This movie is about a radio talkshow guy named Grant Mazzy, played by Stephen McHattie of Watchmen, but he likes to take his shows too far and is pretty controversial with his work. But, now he is stuck in the small town of Pontypool where nothing much really happens. But, one day reports come in of violence outside of a doctor's office and people are apparently rioting and chanting weird things. Grant is left there to just report on what he is hearing, they get some feedback from their reporter in the sky, who is really just in a van somewhere, and a weird message saying stuff like, English is bad and harmfull, speak other languages, don't translate this message, which leads Grant and others to believe that English, or the words, are what cause this spreading. So the things you say can turn you into a zombie basically, so Grant doesn't know whether to let the people know what's going on or to stay off the air here in Pontypool.
This movie had a very interesting idea and at first I wasn't too sure about it, but then at the end I didn't think it would work any other way! The movie is so simple, yet partially complex. There is quite a bit to think about as the movie is going on, and the movie doesn't feel boring at all. The movie actually builds up some suspense in just the dialogue, because it can't show whats going on since its a one setting movie, and that was quite surprising to see a low budget movie like this do.
This movie in no way relies on any gore. Which in a way is a good thing, it doesn't just revert to you seeing someone eaten alive by a zombie, because that wouldn't fit the movie. You hear whats going on and this lets you use your imagination to put the pieces together, so while your mind is thinking you have Stephen McHattie playing a broadcaster type guy with a voice that makes it seem like he was born for this job. He really does sound like he was born to be a DJ or a news broadcaster lol.
Really, there wasn't much I didn't like about this movie, its new and original and builds the suspense quite well. But there were just times that bored me though, and I fell asleep for about 3 minutes towards the end, which is a shame because this is a good movie! Just the one setting thing gets old after a while, at least it doesn't drag on too long though!
Overall, Pontypool was a very interesting idea for a movie that worked quite well except for a few parts. It manages to really build some good suspense to where you really wanna hear how its going to end. Its not a gore film but its a good film, check out Pontypool! I give Pontypool a 7/10!!!!