Pontypool
Director: Bruce McDonald
Starring: Stephen McHattie and Lisa Houle
Dead Air
Director: Corbin Bernsen
Starring: Bill Moseley, Patricia Tallman
Sometimes 2 movies come out around the same time that are so similar that even if there's a big difference between them, it's never enough to avoid comparison. What's worth note is that neither of the similar movies are ever a ripoff of the other. It's just simply a case of 2 similar ideas at the same time.
So I've decided to switch things up here. In addition to reviewing these two movies I'll compare and contrast their similarities and differences and pick which one I think is the better movie.
So here's the plot of both films more or less: Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHatty)/Logan (Bill Moseley) is a shock jock DJ in the small town/big city of Pontypool, Ontario/LA, California. One night/morning a virus spread by the English language/a chemical agent placed by terrorists turns all the people nearby into ravenous monsters. Grant/Logan opts to stay on the air and cover the situation as it happens with the help of his crew and his sassy female producer Syndey (Lisa Houle)/Lucy (Patricia Tallman) and the eyewitness reports of the traffic reporter/frequent on-air caller who eventually gets infected.
So yeah, the plot of these two movies works like a fucking mad lib, they're so alike. In fact here it is if you ever want to write a zombie movie in a radio station:
"__Person's Name__ is a shock jock DJ in the __adjective__ of __Place__ . One __time of day__ a virus spread by the __Half-baked movie mcguffin__ turns all the people nearby into ravenous monsters. __Person's name__ opts to stay on the air and cover the situation as it happens with the help of his crew and his sassy female producer __Woman's name (make it sound sassy)__ and the eyewitness reports of __somebody who talks to shock jock DJs. (Like playmates or racists.)__ who eventually becomes infected."
ACTING:Pontypool:
All of the actors here are immaterial except Stephen McHattie. While everybody seems to do a good job, McHattie's (of "Watchmen" and "Shoot 'Em Up") Grant Mazzy is a cocky bastard who just seems to fit the controversial DJ template to a tee.
McHattie commands the screen, which is good, because he's onscreen for almost the entire duration of the film. It also speaks to how underrated an actor Stephen McHattie is when he's able to carry an entire movie where almost nothing happens squarely on his shoulders.
Dead Air:
The only performance of note other than Bill Moseley's is of his on-air sidekick Gil played by David Moscow who looks distractingly like Kirk Cameron and acts distractingly like shit.
Otherwise it's all about Bill Moseley. While Moseley certainly commands the screen and arguably plays a shock jock flawlessly (which is helped by his trademark voice.) But I don't think Moseley could carry this movie on his shoulders the way McHattie did with "Pontypool." It is however worth note that Logan does more than Grant Mazzy.
WINNER: "Pontypool"
STORYLINE
Pontypool:
"Pontypool" is based on the novel "Pontypool Changes Everything" by Tony Burgess (Not to be confused with "A Clockwork Orange" writer Anthony Burgess) In this story our zombie virus is transmitted through human speech, only English in the movies, but it's implied it could spread to others as a Spanish speaking character seems to be getting the virus as well. It mainly targets terms of endearment.
As such, the zombies in this movie aren't really zombies at all. They're human beings whose speech has become muddled and made them so frustrated that they've been driven into a homicidal rage just because they can't express themselves.
It's a solid concept at first glance but the more you think of it the more problems it has. For one, it sounds kind of half-baked when it's revealed that our zombies are killing and eating people out of sheer frustration. Then of course there are the obvious questions of how a virus could transmit by airwaves rather than biological means. Also, why are some words more infected than others? And why only English?
The other big coffin nail of this movie is that it's understated. It prides itself in being minimalist, telling a story rather than concerning itself with being epic. Focusing on a claustrophobic area to create a scarier environment for the viewer. However, it goes a bit too far, we see nothing except a handful of zombies and even then we only actually SEE one. The movie has practically no onscreen violence. Now while I'm a fan of subtle horror, you do have to offer the viewer something to chew on and this movie just doesn't offer enough.
When people read or watch zombie apocalypse stories they want to see the parent that travels cross-country facing all odds to rescue their child, or the group of survivors roaming and looking for a safe haven. What they don't want to see is the person hiding under a pool table cowering like they would be in that situation.
To be honest, not a lot happens in "Pontypool" and that's the problem. It feels like a chapter of a much larger story and we're not given enough action or explanation make it whole.
Dead Air:
In "Dead Air" a virus is set loose in several major cities all over the country. The virus is set loose by a sleeper cell of Muslim radicals. Unfortunately this sleeper cell is easily the worst group of terrorists of all time and they manage to ruin everything.
The chemical causes the zombies be incredibly violent and makes them nigh-unkillable. On top of this a scratch or a bite will cause the victim to become infected. The zombies in this movie are also unique in that they attack primarily with their fingernails rather than their teeth.
While the Muslim terrorism plot is cliche and kind of dumb, the way the virus is played out is quite effective and gives a more realistic scenario for a zombie plaque and why anyone, even a terrorists would be willing to release it with great personal danger to their people as well.
"Dead Air" is also comfortable to venture beyond the walls of the radio station which does take away from the sense of claustrophobia but delivers a much more satisfying narrative. The radio station is right near ground zero for the virus and a lot of important events happen in or around the radio station. We're also given TV news reports to go along with what's happening that offer further depictions of the events outdoors. It's not as subtle but it doesn't go over the top so I found this take much more satisfying.
WINNER: "Dead Air"
Both films have their triumphs and their faults. "Pontypool" certainly uses an original idea that could have been explored further, but I feel that overall "Dead Air" is just a more effective and ,more importantly, entertaining.
I give "Pontypool" a 4 out of 5 and "Dead Air a 4 out of 5. Both are worth a rent, but "Dead Air" is slightly better.
WINNER: "Dead Air"
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