Pontypool

<<

Under the Radar

>>

Let's face it, folks. We are in an age where we are getting ready to let go of the zombie fad. Aside from random episode of 'The Walking Dead', you don't hear much about it. At least I don't. But last year (2016) saw the release of yet another original idea behind the whole zombie concept called 'Pontypool'.

On his way into work at the local Pontypool, Ontario, Canada radio station, former shock jock Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHatty) has a run in with a creepy, strange woman. She walks away from his car mumbling the word "blood" repeatedly and into a thick snowstorm.

Once at work, he checks in with their traffic guy, Ken, who tells of a riot taking place at a Dr. Mendez's office. As the evening unfolds, as do the events taking place outside of the radio station and off-screen. It's a true portrayal of how something can be so much creepier if you don't see it.

The whole film ends up being a "bottle movie" featuring Grant, his ex-but-boss, Sydney (Lisa Houle) and technical assistant, Laurel-Ann (Georgina Reilly) as they play the role of the radio station who gets all the latest news on the subject across to any survivors. It ends up getting pretty darn creepy in parts, and I do have to give the film originality points on the idea behind the spread of the virus (which I don't wanna spoil, but... it's neat, no matter how implausible it may sound).

I think, however, once you discover the source of it all, it gets incredibly jumbled and confusing. I can't go into too much detail about it, but it does end up meaning the original and interesting idea is ultimately the film's downfall as well. It was kinda like catching lightning in a bottle and then breaking the bottle over someone's head. Nevertheless, I think I got the gist of it, and it remains different and interesting.

Another big problem is it's obnoxiously noisy score. It's one of those "drown-out-the-people-speaking" scores. One really needs to pay attention throughout the film as well.  Often, they talk to the audience on air, but each other in the booth at the same time. I had to wind it back a couple of times to make sure I understood who was talking to who. So be mindful of that.

Otherwise, I would say that it may be an acquired taste for some. You don't really see too much of the zombies in this, and the gore's volume is at about a 3/10. It's a movie that's made creepier by the imagination, and understandably, not everyone will look for something like that in a zombie movie.

3/5

---