George Snell / 01 February 2013 / Categories: Movie and TV Shows, Movie

Life of Pi

This is a film about the writer, Yann Martel, meeting Pi Patel to tell him about his story of his Youth and his amazing adventure. I have to say that “Life of Pi” was a very spectacular film and has a lot of things going for it. I.e, it has a good story, good acting, excellent cinematography & stunning effects.

I love how the story is being told as a story within a story as Older Pi tells his story of his life to Yann, giving it off as a unforgettable memory, and with teenage Pi giving narrations as he was writing a diary to record the days he has been on the boat writing it as if it will be his last, but still with a tiny piece of hope to carry out the journey. The story also does well in mixing heart-warming and really deep serious story telling.

The acting in this movie is really well performed, not a bad performance from any one, especially from all the actors playing the different ages of Pi. With the best acting from 16/17 year old Pi, as he is acting throughout most of the film on his own next to a CGI tiger, being a major power house in this film, especially as this is first film and acting debut which is even more impressive. This especially at the near end of the film, which I’ll not spoil, as of how well it is delivered, it added more to the mood of the scene.

The cinematography of this film looks absolutely gorgeous and with that mixing it with the CGI, it makes the film background look as if it is a painting at times, which would make some pretty good looking screensavers. Also the visuals works well with in the 3D format, but doesn’t focus much on making the film show off the 3D. Another thing I’ll say is that it looks like sex for the eye balls how beautiful the cinematograph & CGI effects look.

The soundtrack is absolutely stunning really helping bring more life to the film and adding the mood of scenes, especially the Indian songs/instrumentals, adding an enchantment and cultural feel to the film, as also adding more to the experience. I also like the “Paradise” song from Coldplay as the instrumental and the meaning of the song really fit the film well, even though the overall lyrics, aren’t really about the main character, though that’s just a nit-pick, it is really fitting for the movie.

It’s no secret that the tiger on the boat with teenage PI is CGI, I mean come on this is a lot different from the book/real experience, no matter how well trained a tiger is for acting, putting a real life tiger and a teenage on it will not end well. Now going back to the topic, the CGI on the animals at times is really mixed in this film, as at times the tiger in the film looks like a real life tiger, it actually made me think “Holy S**t is that the real tiger” & times you can tell it looked fake. But it didn’t bother me that much, but it is very obvious at times.

One other thing that kinds of bother me is with the transition of the story to when Yann and Pi are talking, as at times it is done well, but at others it doesn’t feel smoothly transitioned, though it is understandable that there need to be a transition to remind us that this is a story told by Pi & to remember that these two are talking, which at times works, but it feels zoomed in at times, which isn’t too much of a bother, but it is noticeable.

With all that I’ll give this a rating of “Like” a definite recommendation. This is a really spectacular film and that I’d recommend it to anyone, especially to people looking for a Spiritel adventure.

P.S

I will admit that I don’t watch a lot of Ang Lee’s film, in fact the only movie I’ve seen him of his was the 2003 Hulk, which I have mixed feelings on, nor have I read the book this movie is adapted from but, after watching this film I’m curious to see more of Ang Lee’s work and to read the original book.