Life of Pi Reviews

A very good movie

Posted : 1 month, 3 weeks ago on 28 April 2013 07:10

I wasn't sure about this flick but after hearing so many good things, I seriously wanted to check it out. And I wasn't disappointed. Indeed, it was a really fascinating story, a gorgeous movie to look at and I'm really glad I'm managed to watch in the theater and in 3D. Pretty much like the late Roger Ebert, I really dread this new 3D hype but Ang Lee used it very well and it definitely enhanced the whole experience. It is pretty funny to think that 10 years ago, Ang Lee was ridiculed for 'Hulk' (in my opinion, a feature criminally underrated and actually one of the best super-hero flicks ever made) above all for its really ugly CGI sequences. This time around, Lee didn't only manage to master the CGI, he made one of the best use of it I have witnessed. Just mind-blowing. Used properly it can be a great tool but it's unfortunate that nowadays it is mostly used to create some big robots, huge monsters or impossible explosions. So, it was visually fascinating and the story was also really interesting with some thoughts about fiction, reality, religion and rationality. I must admit, I will have to re-watch it in the future to make a fair assessment concerning the story itself. Anyway, once again, you have here a movie which was rather low in my priorities but turned out to be one of the best released in 2012. To conclude, I thought it was an enchanting and touching tale and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you are interested in Ang Lee's work.

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Any Way The Wind Blows

Posted : 2 months ago on 20 April 2013 11:49

I enjoyed Life Of Pi thoroughly from the beginning until just before the end. The movie is undoubtedly beautiful and the story is quite engaging. It's always a good sign when you look at your watch and two hours has flown by like nothing.

The graphics are dazzling, the scope is grand, and the film really captures the myriad emotions that one must experience when lost at sea.

Where this film gets into trouble is its muddled message, which isn't surprising since the message is "spiritual." Ultimately it's asking you to believe that fiction and truth are a legitimate choice, and if you choose fiction because it helps you get through life, then that's ok.

The problem here is a lack of intellectual honesty. Pi says these things, but he also says that it was his father's (the atheist) reason and clear eyed view of the world that actually kept him alive. He admits that the fiction (religion) is nothing but a coping mechanism for his trauma. I also didn't buy the idea that after hearing his sordid tale (which he tacitly admits is not true) the writer interviewing him would suddenly believe in "god" or take on some spiritual awakening.

I loved the twist at the end, but not what it represented. Great job by Ang Lee directing this film. I would rate it higher if the message of the story was more consistent and meaningful.

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Life of Pi review

Posted : 3 months, 3 weeks ago on 25 February 2013 01:14

Great camera, visuals and effects, but I felt it was a bit lacking on the other shit. Acting wasn't that good really, and the story kind of felt too simple. "Have faith in god and shit, because that version of life is more "fun" than not having faith at all." A simple and a boring premise.

Maybe I didn't get it. Maybe I need to be more open for faith in general. You know, fuck logic and all that.

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Life of Pi review

Posted : 3 months, 4 weeks ago on 19 February 2013 11:52

An odd movie, to say the least. Of course, I haven't read the book, so I can't tell you how it translates into film. But the movie is slow paced & drags in portions, but is quite interesting simply because of the peculiar nature of the story line. Let alone the ship-wrecked aspect of it, how odd is it to share a boat in the middle of the Pacific with a bengal tiger and still manage to survive!! Both Irfan Khan (the adult Pi) and Suraj Sharma (the teenage Pi) act very well and the 3D filming is mostly besides the point. Liked the movie, but wished it was about 1/2 hour shorter.

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A visual masterpiece, an epic journey of survival

Posted : 3 months, 4 weeks ago on 19 February 2013 09:13

Yann Martels novel Life of Pi was such an engaging read, it seemed almost impossible to turn it into a film. The images that were left upon the impressionable readers of the novel seemed so grand and having a film depict them would just ruin that wonderful imagination. Boy, was that the wrong idea now that I have witnessed Ang Lee’s adaptation of the fantastic novel.

Pi Patel’s family has packed up all their stuff and are heading for Canada, when the freight ship they are sailing on sinks in the pacific ocean, leaving Pi stranded on a lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an Orangutan and a 450 pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Pi must adapt to the forces of nature, and become the dominant figure amidst the animals in order to survive this harrowing journey across the pacific.

Ang Lee’s vision of Yann Martel’s novel is a visual spectacle, built to be a journey of faith, acceptance and self discovery. Lee creates a film that leans heavily on visuals, the CG affects that are used to create the animals on the boat. A lot of this film is about instincts, natural survival that is hindered by the wreckage that can be caused by nature itself. It becomes a journey of one young man, who must find the courage to survive through these troubling times.

Some of the descriptions and imagination of the novel of course were lost which is inevitable. The narration of Pi Patel was crucial to the novel, and the film, but at points felt lost upon the visual capabilities of the film. What was great about the novel was the ability to imagine how Pi Patel told the story, how the words on the page seemed to build his character, which seemed to be lost in the film. The words from the novel only translated to the screen on a superficial level, but not a spiritual and idealistic level like in the novel.

That is not to say the film is bad in any way, I was blown away by the chilling visuals that were on display. The ship-wreck, the ocean storm, the island were all very thrilling and kept the film alive, kept it breathing fresh air. Due to the lack of people presence for the last half of the film, the visuals undoubtedly became the backbone of this film. For fans of the novel, these visuals are enough to keep you entertained and engaged. For those who have not read the novel, this film will serve as a great survival story, a visual masterpiece and an epic journey.


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Life of Pi review

Posted : 5 months ago on 19 January 2013 12:38

Life of Pi, is based on novel by Yann Martel, which I read couple of years back and I was engaged in that novel, because of a unique story. When I came to know that the novel is going to hit the cinema screens, I was anxious to see the live version.

The movie is amazing, beautifully picturized, excellent effects, at some time there seems some weakness, but overall it is too good. Based on story of Pi Patel, who had a exploring nature for the childhood, first exploring religions and than he came face to face with hard reality when his family decided to leave India for the better future.

The ship the family was travelling along with scores of their zoo animals, struck by a storm and finally sink, only Pi along with Richard Parker, a Bengal tiger, a hyena, orangatoon and a zebra who broke his leg while jumping in life boat, managed to find a place on life boat. With nature call it came to, Pi and Richard (tiger) and rest is their survival story till the manage to find the Mexican shore. During the course of the journey there are some amazing events, so do watch the movie and enjoy the journey.

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A breathtaking visual & emotional adventure.

Posted : 5 months, 1 week ago on 11 January 2013 02:59

In most recent years, we experience that one hit which embarks us on an unforgettable adventure and will want to continuously revisit. Following in similar footsteps to Avatar and Hugo, the audience are whisked into a magical world that is filled with stunning effects. Visually, you cannot go much higher than what is in Life Of Pi and the film also gifted for the breath-taking experience in 3D and makes it worth every penny. On the other hand, along on this jaw-dropping and eye-popping journey we venture on an emotionally engaging ride that could bring tears to the audience’s eyes. Therefore, director Ang Lee balances the scales of visual magic with thought-provoking drama and results in a piece of cinematic treasure.


Based on the novel of the same name by Yann Martel, Life Of Pi was adapted onto the screen by director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) and in his latest feature, we go on an adventure beyond anything he has ever done. Life Of Pi has themes and moral ethics all over it which play a vital part in the film. For example, it has a firm hold on elements of religion. The relationships between the characters are representations of tragedy as well as the beauty and faith that religion beholds. It also shows the goodness in the world and how both mankind and beasts signify this through communication and natural instincts. Life Of Pi is evidently Lee’s greatest visual achievement so far and with his use of restrained emotions trailing behind from his previous films, this is another one of his masterpieces.


In the leading role of Pi is Suraj Sharma who, similar to Dev Patel in Slumdog Millionaire, takes the audience on his courageous journey from a somewhat poor Asian environment to exposing his inner self. Pi is a character filled with passion and bravery. So, when he survives the shipwreck and is cast out to sea on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, the audience are literally there with him. In Sharma’s remarkable performance, we experience a lot of heartbreak, love, loyalty and at times, suspense. Sharma’s portrayal of Pi is not quite close enough for Academy Award consideration but it is still one of the greatest young star performances of the year. Meanwhile Irrfan Khan, who ironically had a role in Slumdog Millionaire portrayed Pi as an adult who is telling his story to a young writer. Although Sharma’s performance indicates exactly what the experience is like when you’re there, Khan’s portrayal is slightly different and perhaps more thought-provoking as the elder Pi tells the audience of the after-effect and influence it had on his life. Therefore, both actors portrayed the character from two different perspectives and exemplified an important time in one’s life about self-discovery and love from within the heart.


Computer-generated imagery has always been the most ideal gimmick to boost a film’s profits following its release and most of the time; films have delivered only in that area. However, although Life Of Pi certainly does deliver on that visual standard with outstanding CGI effects, the film provides a new meaning and purpose to them. Practically every animal is fully computer-generated but the most important is the Bengal Tiger. This is not just any piece of impressive effects, let alone any tiger. What we have is that this animal has personality and we see this through its body language and facial expressions. It still has its predatory instincts by wanting to kill and eat its prey on the lifeboat, including Pi but at the same time, we can emotionally relate to him, especially after being given the unofficial name of Richard Parker from Pi. Therefore, considering that it is a full CGI character and that it is a tiger, ‘Richard Parker’ is a solid supporting character that creates a firm but unlikely connection between beasts and mankind.


If you observe Life Of Pi at a grand scale, you’ll notice that it delivers the same type of charm and inspiration from the Indian culture as Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, but at a slightly higher scale of emotional warmth. The film may have had an occasionally slow build-up to the shipwreck, but Life Of Pi will make you chuckle, make you feel a balanced mix of joy and heartbreak and will leave you with a huge grin on your face. As far as Academy Awards are concerned, it has a strong chance and it has shown that there is even more to 3D and computer-generated effects than eye candy and a money-grubbing gimmick. Nevertheless, Life Of Pi welcomes all audiences to enter the magic within and provides an unforgettable experience.

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Life of Pi review

Posted : 6 months, 3 weeks ago on 27 November 2012 07:44

The film is the film adaptation of "Life of Pi", a book written by Yann Martel in 2001 and the following year won the Booker Prize. The story is set in Pondicherry, India, where Pi's father, owner of a zoo, decided to move the family and business in Canada. During the trip in the Pacific Ocean off the ship sinks and Pi finds himself the sole survivor on a lifeboat in the company of some animal, especially a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The rest of the story tells how he develops the journey of Pi and his companions for almost a year.
Ang Lee arrives to 3D for the first time and is working without his trusted collaborator James Schamus, producer and scriptwriter of his most important achievements. Lee's new work is eagerly awaited, especially since the project has seen the light after almost ten years of litigation in which several directors have come and gone, and many writers, the final team, consisting of Ang Lee and David Magee, who rewrote the script in 2010, begins filming in January 2011, after several auditions to choose the young protagonist of the story, the role assigned Finally debutant Suraj Sharma. The part of Yann Martel instead was entrusted with Tobey Maguire, but after finished filming, he was removed and replaced by an interpreter less popular, in line with the choice of the rest of the cast. In fact, the production has been inhabited first M. Night Shyamalan, a native of Pondicherry in India where begins the story of Pi and then Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who wanted to bring with him Guillaume Laurent, the screenwriter of The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie.
The film is a fantastic story and magical at the same time, with animals and scenes created entirely on the computer as to hold your breath. However, many have commented as Life of Pi is a fantastic adventure, but is more of a metaphorical nightmare where there is very little funny or fantastic. Perhaps this is to adapt the story was called, in fact, David Magee, former writer of Neverland, where aspects fantastic movie and real life mix continuously.

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