Pontypool (2008) is a Canadian horror movie based upon the novel by Tony Burgess. I have in the past watched and reviewed Septic Man (2013) another movie written by Tony Burgess. Whilst I found septic man to be a steaming turd I am glad to be to state that Pontypool is a far more entertaining movie, and unlike Septic Man this movie is extremely thought provoking and pertinent to the state of affairs of countries such as the U.S.A. and the U.K.
The opening scene of the movie introduces us to the central character of the movie: Grant Mazzy a controversial radio show host. He is driving to his place of work but has to stop his car. A woman approacheshis car and says the word "blood" a couple of times then leaves. Grant Mazzy then goes to the station and takes a report from "helicopter" reporter Ken Loney. As he reports a riot starts outside the office of a Dr. Mendez. He is cut off mid report. He calls back later after taking up a hiding place and confirms that people are eating each other and themselves. It soon becomes apparent that a virus, quite unlike any other has broken out in this small town. This is not a virus transmitted by infection of the blood, this is a virus that spreads by language, namely the English language. The rest of the film revolves around Grant Mazzy and the station manager Sydney attempting to unravel what has happened.
**Potential Spoilers**
You are probably thinking based on the previous paragraph that this sounds like yet another zombie, virus outbreak movie along the lines of 28 Days Later. The truth is this really isn't that type of a movie. Why? Well, I will try to explain but do bear in mind this is only my interpretation of a movie that in truth can be interpreted in many different ways. When Grant meets the woman at the beginning of the movie and she says the word "blood" several times I believe she infects Grant Mazzy. He in turn goes on the air, and in a small town that relies on it's radio station for news, he infects nearly the entire town. The virus is spread by certain words, but interestingly it is only spread by speaking English. Given English has become the universal language of humanity the scope for it's spread is global. Words have become twisted, similiar to George Orwell's 1984 words have become their opposite, freedom is slavery, love is hate. Indeed the movie contains a broadvast in French that terms of endearment should be avoided.
The above interpretation gives us an understanding of the movie, but in my opinion there is deeper meaning to be extracted. Again this is merely my interpretation. I believe this use of language, or perhaps it's misuse, is a common feature of life within countries such as America and the U.K. For example, the use of the term "liberal" and "liberalism" now refer to the exact opposite of their original meaning. A liberal is someone who desires freedom for individuals but wants the role of the state minimized. Liberalism now refers to people who desire the very opposite. Interestingly the movie hints at the power of the media, namely the BBC to shape the news, providing what some refer to as fake newx. Within the movie Grant takes a phone call from a representative of the BBC who has no interest in the real story, he wants to tell the world that this is some sort of terrorist attack by French Canadians. Sydney says to Grant that they are clueless, wrong or words to that effect. They are, however, shaping the news to their "liberal" agenda.
Increasingly we live in a world where words, phrases, and the things they refer to are becoming blurred, to the point where a term such as racism or fascism simply refer to anyone who happens to disagree with you. The anti-fascist will dress up in black, attacking anyone and everyone that does not share their "liberal" opinion. They dress in black, they attack women, the elderly etc. They are intolerant of any opinion that differs yet they never see their own actions as "fascist" but what is fascism, surely using violence on your political opponents, forcing your worldview on other people is fascist? Certainly it bears a closer resemblance to fascism. A racist is not someone who happens to disagree with you. It is or at least should be acceptable to hold different opinions.
Lastly, when Grant attempts to justify his in your face style he explains that an angry listener is a listener that is less likely to turn off their radio or change channel. Not only that the angry listener is a listener that is more likely to tell their friend, tell a family member and in turn they will be angered, and the cycle starts again. As we move deeper into the 21st century the outrage culture has spread, a bit like a virus. The elites that control the societies we live in, and thereby the world, promote the outrage. Every day, every week, a new outrage, keeping people angry, using words that now mean the opposite, and bear no relation to the thing they refer to, ultimately to control the masses, to make them believe what they want them to in order to further their own interests.
7 out of 10
Summary: clever movie, but those expecting a 28 Days later style movie will be dissapointed.