Life of Pi – Movie Review
Well, I have never done a movie review in this blog. So, I thought why not start? Before a couple of days, I had the opportunity to watch ‘Life of Pi (3D)’ in a theatre here in Chennai. I went to Sathyam, but since tickets were not available, I went to Sangam theatre. I am very choosy about the movies I watch, you see 🙂
Though I was aware of the book (Life of Pi), I never read it because it was fiction and I read only non-fiction these days. Now I am not sure if I want to read the book as I have watched the movie. Will decide on this later.
First, I want to write about what I didn’t like about this movie. I think people can skip the first 30 minutes and the last 15 minutes. The introductory Tamil song (and the visuals that accompany it) is nice, though. But that made me wonder if I came to a dubbed version of the English movie 🙂
I will make a *startling* revelation – I did not start believing in God after I watched this movie! I thought the parts about faith/God/philosophy, etc. just does not compliment the film and the director could have made it into a pure adventure movie. Maybe since this movie was set in India, perhaps the director was influenced to bring in love **shortest love story on earth**, faith, philosophy, emotions and other bollywood-style elements?
The last 15 minutes were even more inappropriate. I did not ‘get’ any message and I am not sure if there was one. If you are going to watch the movie, you can start moving to the parking area right after the boy/tiger lands on the Mexican shore. Oh, I am not breaking any suspense. Some trailers show this scene clearly.
Now lets come to what is good with the movie – Everything else! To say that the visual effects were stunning, is an understatement. Even without 3D, the scenes were outstanding. If you don’t love the most beautiful cat on this planet already, you’ll definitely fall in love with it once you see this movie. The tiger, especially, was *STUNNING*!!
Even though all logic point against a boy surviving the company of a tiger, all alone on a life-boat, the way the story unfolds makes us believe it! Some scenes like the large fish coming out of water, etc. (see trailer above) clearly look animated, but they do add to the breath-taking imagery/visual-effects. The scenes on the island are another treat, altogether. Not sure what those little animals on the island are called. Anyone?
Do I recommend it? Yes, of course! But if you skip the parts I told you to, you’ll come out happy, with wonderful memories. Life of Pi is an excellent adventure movie, but with an unconvincing/unnecessary attempt at preaching some ‘message’.
Also, movies like this might help a lot in rallying public support for Tiger/Wild animal conservation initiatives.
Destination Infinity
hmmmmmmmm well its is unbeleivable the movie has not come to uk yet , its comes on 21st Dec 🙂 so will watch it then
In a way it’s good. You can read reviews/know if the movie is really good or not, before going. You know what, this is the first movie I am watching in a cinema hall, for this year!!
Destination Infinity
Thanks for the nice reviedw.
Sure 🙂
Destination Infinity
Many people have loved this movie in Facebook. Don’t know if I want to watch, but I think we should watch this only in theatre!
The review is good and to the point, D.I.
Theater amplifies the visual effects, but there was nothing much for 3D. Hence, you can also watch it at home.
Destination Infinity
You should do more reviews. I so agree with what you say. It seems that the message was forced. I did not get the last part too.
Having said that, it was a visual treat.
The issue with the seemingly ‘moving’ and ‘contemplative’ message is, they are coming to a ‘meaningful’ conclusion, based on fiction!! If it was a true story, then there is some point in giving some message, etc.
Destination Infinity
Well reviewed! I want to watch this movie only in theater… but not sure will I watch it. I always watch movies in Drive-in Theater on ECR, which is only feasible for me. It’s been ages I watched movie in an enclosed theater, which I don’t think have wheel chair accessibility.
Maybe they’ll put it up in ECR Drive-in. That makes me wonder, why do we not have more drive-in/beach-front theatres? We have long beaches!
Destination Infinity
good review
and i saw the trailer its looks great
Yes, they have made an impressive trailer. The visual effects are very good, in this movie!
Destination Infinity
Nice review.Will see if i get a cd from India
Ok………..
Destination Infinity
I have not seen the movie. But have seen clips on its making. The special effects are excellent.
I think there are two parts to many things. Harmony, repetitive. Sparta, Athens. Left Brain, Right Brain. Seriously curious. Is Life of Pi something like this?
This movie is more about convincing people that the ‘difficult situations’ in life are created by God and God will help us tide through them. I am fine with the philosophy, but trying to ‘move’ people through a ‘fiction-based’ film is more like preaching than convincing.
Destination Infinity
While the tiger was stunning, indeed and the SFX good……. i cannot rate it one bit close to the book!
I have always wondered how books, with their words, can be better with visual subjects. Looks like our imagination is more powerful than our eyes!!
Destination Infinity
Damn! Every man and his puppy seems to have seen this movie by now!! I definitely need to catch it in the theatre this weekend!
This is the only movie I watched in a theatre for the whole year! Worth seeing in a movie hall.
Destination Infinity
nice review…
thanks
Thank you… 🙂
Destination Infinity
Nice review!! Have heard so much about this movie. A weekend prior to the last one, we decided to go for this movie and it was houseful. Last weekend, had booked the tickets online and were ready for the movie when a last minute change of plan happened and we gave our tickets to a relative! So, it’s still pending!! 😐
Looks like an epic. I haven’t seen it yet, but most likely will get it when it come on DVD. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it here. Wishing you a great holiday season. 🙂
I liked the movie but first 30 mins was really boring. I didnt like the book though. He gets into the ship only after 35 chapters. I couldnt read 35 boring chaps.
This was the msg in the movie at the end: if you believe in God, you will believe in the tiger story which is quite unrealistic. If you do not believe in God, you will have to believe in the other story about how he killed the other 3 people on the boat and how he was the tiger.
i somehow liked the movie for its visual effects and way of story telling ..!
totally agree with the review!! the movie didnt deliver what it promised in the beginning