Tackling a story that most believed was "unfilmable", director Ang Lee has done a masterful job at bringing Yann Martel's beloved novel to the big screen with his creative and visually stunning Life of Pi.
To say that the film relies heavily on your imagination is a bit unfair. Suraj Sharma does a fascinating job in his film debut as the title character who ultimately selling his soul as a young boy who finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with a tiger after a rigorous storm takes the life of his family.
Aimlessly awaiting rescue, the film centers on his rapid growth aboard the small boat, showcasing him as he learns to adapt to his surroundings and meet fate face-to-face. But the true fruit of the film lies within the realm of religion as Pi begins to question the mere existence of a God, a question he has "experimented" with all his life.
Lie of Pi spends much of its time with its lead character and the Bengal tiger that it shares its boat with. People criticized the midsection of Robert Zemeckis' Cast Away for its lack of dialogue and action while star Tom Hanks adapted to life on a deserted island. The same situation exists here; however, director Ang Lee has provided steady action and progress without making you feel as if you are watching a montage of events.
You quickly find yourself engulfed in the adventure as Pi thwarts the devils of the sea, including another storm, a shortage of food, a mighty whale...and the untamed creature sitting across from him. But if either he or Richard Parker are to ever see land again, they must learn to trust one another"”and what better way to showcase that journey than with the fluid use of CGI.
Presenting flawless picture and impeccable colors, Lee's special effects team does a phenomenal job at visually crafting this mind-blowing story. The picturesque cinematography will make it hard for you to look away from the screen as you witness a whole new world of beauty through the blended images of sea, land, and adventure. The added 3D effect would usually be a frustrating aspect to deal with, but Life of Pi excels thanks to its added dimension, making the final product nothing less than a surefire, must-see spectacle.
