Life Of Pi (2013)

Life Of Pi

Summary:Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, LIFE OF PI tells the story of a young man’s incredible survival at sea against impossible odds. Director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiget Hidden Dragon) creates a groundbreaking movie event about a young man who survives a tragic disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While marooned on a lifeboat, he forms an amazing and unexpected connection with the ship’s only other survivor… a fearsome Bengal tiger. A remarkable technological breakthrough in 3D epic adventure, LIFE OF PI is an emotionally captivating experience that will inspire, touch and transport audiences to a place of discovery that they will never forget.

Year: 2012

Australian Cinema Release Date: 1st January, 2013

Australian DVD Release Date: TBA

Country: USA, Taiwan

Director: Ang Lee

Screenwriter: David Magee, Yann Martel (novel)

Cast: Elie Alouf (Mamaji), Gauter Belur (Pi Patel 5 Years), Gerard Depardieu (Cook), Adil Hussain (Santosh Patel), Mohd Abbas Khaleeli (Ravi Patel 13/14 Years), Ayan Khan (Ravi Patel 7 Years), Irrfan Khan (Adult Pi Patel), Shravanthi Sainath (Anandi), Suraj Sharma (Pi Patel), Vibish Sivakumar (Ravi Patel 18/19 Years), Rafe Spall (Writer), Tabu (Gita Patel), Ayush Tandon (Pi Patel 11/12 Years)

Runtime: 127 mins

Classification:PG

Dave Griffiths’s ‘Life Of Pi’ Review: 

‘Life Of Pi’ may well be when of the best looking films that you are ever likely to see. Director Ang Lee (Taking Woodstock, Brokeback Mountain) has created a film that is so visually spectacular it for once justifies the use of 3D technology and the fact that the audience has to pay that little more to go and see it.

Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel ‘Life Of Pi’ finds a writer (Rafe Spall – Earthbound, Prometheus) who is searching for an interesting story as he suffers from a bad case of writer’s block. His journey leads him to the door of Pi Patel (Irrfan Khan – The Amazing Spider-Man, Thank You), a man who promises a tale that will not only captivate him but make him believe on God.

At first the writer isn’t convinced but soon Pi tells him a story that occurred when his teenage self (Suraj Sharma – newcomer), his mother (Tabu – Urumi: The Warriors Who Wanted To KillVaco Da Gama), his father (Adil Hussain – English Vinglish, The Reluctant Fundamentalist) and his brother (Vibish Sivakumar – newcomer) boarded a ship that would leave India and ferry them and their zoo animals to the United States. Unfortunately the boat sinks during a storm and soon Pi finds himself having to battle for survival in a lifeboat not only against the elements but also against Richard Parker… a fully grown Bengal Tiger.

Ang Lee has developed some truly amazing imaginary during the film. The meerkat island looks amazing on the big screen while the visuals of the whale and the jellyfish look so amazing and brilliant you could be excused for thinking they should be paintings hanging on the walls of some of the world’s finest art galleries.

However, it is worth pointing out that ‘Life Of Pi’ still has its faults. Screenwriter, David Magee (Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, Finding Neverland) does a wonderful job making sure that the film’s story remains interesting and keeps moving along at a steady pace even when it is just Pi and Richard Parker in the boat and lost at sea but it does feel that perhaps the film remains in India too long at the start and that there are too many scenes between the adult Pi and the writer, at times they seem to slow down the action of the film.

Like ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ did for Dev Patel ‘Life Of Pi’ is going to make actor Suraj Sharma an absolute star and he truly deserves it. He does a wonderful job whether he is called upon to do action or the more intense drama scenes. Film lovers should also be praying that ‘Life Of Pi’ makes sure that Rafe Spall is noticed by more film producers… which is great news considering he is one of the most underrated actors going around.

If you love fine films that you certainly need to take a look at ‘Life Of Pi’ it is one of the best looking films you are ever likely to see on the big screen.

Other Subculture Media Reviews of ‘Life Of Pi′: Check Episode #13 of our The Good The Bad The Ugly Podcast for a more in-depth review of ‘Life Of Pi’. Dave’s other review of ‘Life Of Pi’ can be found on the Helium Entertainment Channel

Rating: 4/5

IMDB RatingLife of Pi (2012) on IMDb
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