Heavy or weighty:
* Massive
* Bulky
* Clumsy
* Heavy
* Cumbersome
* Enormous
* Colossal
* Immense
Slow or laborious:
* Slow
* Tedious
* Dull
* Monotonous
* Tiresome
* Prolix
* Lengthy
* Wordy
Serious or solemn:
* Grave
* Solemn
* Serious
* Earnest
* Thoughtful
* Reflective
Other synonyms:
* Onerous (burdensome)
* Profound (deep and thoughtful)
* Unwieldy (difficult to handle)
* Stupendous (amazingly large)
* Oppressive (weighing heavily)
The best synonym for "ponderous" will depend on the specific context and the nuance you are trying to convey.