Pontypool

Former big-time radio DJ Grant Mazzy has been kicked out of his big station digs because of his take-no-prisoners attitude, and finds himself stationed in a tiny station near the tiny Canadian town of Pontypool. A simple morning show set-up in a church basement, life is puttering along for Grant when suddenly, one morning, strange reports start coming in. People are massing in the town, attacking everyone they encounter and all chanting random words over and over again. As the world outside the basement begins to turn to chaos, it's up to Grant to try and save the day... without making things even worse.

When it comes to independent horror movies, about 7 times out of 10 it's going to be a zombie movie (the other three being slashers, serial killers abducting twenty-somethings, and abandoned warehouse ghost stories respectively). Now for the most part these indie filmmakers realize this, and thus try to make their particular zombie movie different from the rest of the pack. Oftentimes, this just ends up being how fast they move. But every once in a while, a film comes along that looks at the very nature of the virus, of what exactly is turning people into crazed maniacs who want to eat others. This is one such film, and it handles the idea in one of the more original ideas out there.

But first, the basics. This is a low-budget film, and while it looks nice enough (and the blood effects, when they pop up, are good and goopy), it shows in the nature of how the story goes down. The entire movie, save for a brief scene at the beginning and some pictures here and there, takes place in this basement radio station, with the events from outside being reported through people calling in. This is a good choice, since it leads to a wonderfully creepy and claustrophobic atmosphere inside, and leaves what's happening to the rest of the world to your imagination.

There's only four or so characters, one of them always off-screen and talked to via phone. They all do good, convincing work, save maybe for a exposition-spouting doctor who comes in midway through. He's a bit hammy, but I don't think there's anything really wrong with him (and yet he seems to be a big downside to people watching this movie). Regardless, the whole film is anchored strongly by Stephen McHattie as Grant (you might remember him as Hollis Mason in Watchmen). He gives an amazing performance, putting a lot of energy and life into his character. At times his facial expressions get rather outrageous, but his solid, firm voice keeps that in check. It's the kind of voice that fits perfectly on the radio, that you could listen to for hours on end between songs. He's definitely someone I'd like to see more of.

Now, onto the zombies. Or are they? I said it's an original idea, and it is. The basic premise is that there's a virus going around, not one spread through bites, blood, or the air... but by speech. Language (English, to be specific). Talking. Words. Certain ones get heard, start to screw with someone's head, eventually turning them into someone with a desire to rip people to shreds (not out of hunger, but out of pure need). Given that Grant is on the radio, it is called into question exactly how much he's helping as he keeps on talking...

That idea can be a deal-breaker for people. Some (OK, many) may find the idea more laughable than anything, and thus the film loses all effectiveness. But to be fair, is the idea really so ridiculous? It enters into the range of the supernatural, but then, in many ways so does the basic idea of a zombie infection. And again, are they zombies? They're still alive, they're still in normal health, it's almost all mental. It's a strange idea, one that takes a bit to ponder over. I've seen the phrase "thinking man's horror" thrown around for this, and it is. Assuming that you buy into it, of course.

So, a very different horror movie. I for one really enjoyed it, finding it to be as creepy as it is interesting. It may not be something for everyone, and given it's Blockbuster Exclusive rental status (for another month or so, at least) it may be difficult to track down for some folks. But it is definitely worth a look if you're interesting in a zombie-style flick that breaks far away from the ordinary.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsGPsbAd7Dc