Acclaimed director Ang Lee has brazenly adapted Yann Martel's novel of the same name to create
a truly invigorating film- one that has grossed over a half billion dollars.
Released in November of 2012, this 127-minute fantasy adventure shares the story of Pi Patel,
a 16-year-old Indian boy who finds himself shipwrecked in the middle of the pacific ocean
on a small life raft with a dangerous Bengal Tiger.
Irrfan Khan is featured the adult Pi, who reflects on his incredible experiences during
an inter-cut interview remarkably similar to the narrative delivery of "Forrest Gump".
Other background characters come and go, including a throwaway appearance by a love-interest
early in the picture, but the real star here is newcomer Suraj Sharma - who is alone by
himself for the majority of the picture: playing opposite amazingly life-life CGI animals - who
are honestly, fleshed out characters in their own right.
Winning the role from 3,000 other try-outs, the young actor is a true delight, his performance
expertly showcases the full range of emotions, from unadulterated joy to hopeless despair,
remaking on his bleak survival ordeal, "Hunger can change everything you ever thought you
knew about yourself."
This unlikely companionship between tiger and boy is the centerpiece of the picture,
both emotionally, and thematically.
A complex, interesting, amusing, and heartbreaking one.
Opening inside an Indian zoo with playful and clever on-screen credits...
this picture has a sort of lyrical, storybook style to the proceedings, with inspired chroma-keyed
scene transitions and inventive use of changing aspect ratios.
The imagery and cinematography here is downright stunning... from the astoundingly exhilarating
shipwreck sequence, to a breathtaking scene involving a glow-in-the-dark whale.
The first 30-minutes are brimming with so much originality and flair, the prolonged
portion of this film spent at sea isn't as ideal paced, however enjoyable and inspirational
the fantastical tale may be.
Mychael Danna's score is unobtrusive, but emotionally moving at all the right moments.
A late scene, which quickly shares an alternate version of the previous events only serves
to raise needless questions, and diminish the effectiveness of what was such a striking
and engaging story.
This PG-drama will surely have audiences of ages gasping, and cheering with delight: as
it adeptly fulfils every trait of a satisfying and enjoyable motion picture.
"Life Of Pi", "Beautifully mesmerizing experience, emotionally captured."
Now lets read your YouTube comment reviews.
A TEN and a NINE for "Life Of Pi"... your admiration for this picture was unanimous,
with everyone giving praise to the visual style, you thought it was AMAZING.
There were only a few issues I had with this otherwise incredibly solid motion picture
that truly dazzled with its unique imagery, and fascinating story.
I thought it was AWESOME.