Pontypool (2009)★★★★★

Ah, Pontypool. I almost forgot this movie takes place on Valentine’s Day. It’s fitting if you think about it, since the film is really about communication and relationships.

It is such a great movie. Stephen McHattie is wonderful as Grant Mazzy, radio star. There’s such neat character development from inside the radio station as you slowly learn what’s going on outside. The slow pacing of the first third or so of the film picks up once the doctor reveals the cause of the infection (and how it spreads), and from then the action is nearly non-stop until the end credits roll.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot here, because the reveal and the build up is really well done, but this is a zombie movie like you’ve never seen before. The English major in me did cartwheels the first time I saw this movie. I just love it. From the understated title screen to the drunken French conversation in the storage room to that crazy look in Grant Mazzy’s eyes (especially when Sydney says “Oh god, you’re gonna eat me soon, aren’t you”)…I love this movie.

I loved it so much that when I realized it was based on a novel I immediately picked up a copy and tried to read it. Unfortunately I only made it through the first third before I could feel my eyes crossing and my brain going a bit numb. I never finished the book, but I did watch this movie a few more times. I’d say this is a film adaptation that outshines the original work, which I rarely see.

It’s probably a bit dark for a real Valentine’s Day celebration, but I could curl up on the couch with a hot chocolate and this movie all February long.