Succumbing to the dialogue and facial expressions of its characters, Pontypool effectively stirs up scares as it introduces a new breed of the zombie-horror film. Instead of the gross out antics that often clutter the screen, the film chose to utilize the curiosity of the human nature, discussing much but rarely showing anything, ultimately sending us into a state of unknowing confusion As a result, we grow anxious, awaiting the fate of those in question and unsure of what is really happening.
Set just outside of Ontario, in a small suburb known as Pontypool, three radio station employees begin to pick up information on the newswire about a series of violent acts being reported all over town. As the story continues to grow, and the virus spreads amongst the town, those within the confines of the radio station foresee trouble, fully understanding that it is up to them to report the truth; for in this time, it is literally a matter of life and death.
With much of the genre's focus on blood, guts and gore, it was a pleasant surprise to see a zombie-horror film with a story centered path to success. But don't be fooled - there is still plenty of corn syrup being thrown around, especially during the film's second half, it just isn't a central concept.
And that leads me to another impressive quality about the film, its conclusion. While most genre films contain either an airborne or DNA transferred virus, that isn't what happens here. Instead, audiences are greeted with a much deeper, more complex set of rules, forcing you to think and analyze each individual action as it develops. The effect is one of mass proportion as it creates a unique and ultimate viewing experience; one that will have you thinking and discussing long after the fate of those in question is revealed.
