Life of Pi

It is fair to say that since Avatar’s release in 2009 there has been no real competition to challenge its claim as the best 3D digital masterpiece to date. With its power to captivate the audience in an alternative visually enhanced universe, James Cameron re-created the fantasy genre producing the highest grossing film of our time. Where Life of Pi succeeds is that while the CGI has just the same effect it achieves more providing the characterisation and sentiment that Avatar severely lacked.

From his directing debut stemming from Japanese action adventure Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, then recreating Jane Austen’s period novel Sense and Sensibility, and most recently the academy acclaimed Brokeback Mountain, Director Ang Lee is known for his ability to adapt his talents to any genre of film. The plot of Yann Martel’s prize-winning novel Life of Pi has unsurprisingly scared off many directors before him. The tale revolves around Piscine Patel a boy whose name was acquired due to his Uncle’s love of swimming, a skill that comes to be very useful to him later on. We immediately warm to his inquisitive, humorous character; his personal challenges are very relatable, he is unsure of where his life will lead him, and which path of faith he should take. Unlike Avatar we are not made to wait for the breath-taking CGI, we are immersed into the striking colours of the Indian surroundings, with 3D making the animals in the Patel family’s zoo come to life.

Pi’s undefined path leads him with his family in pursuit of a better life in Canada accompanied by their zoo of exotic animals, only to be victim of a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Suraj Sharma’s debut performance as Pi and his struggle to survive is accomplished. The audience roots for him not only due to his perseverance to live; but mainly due to his relationship with an incredible digitally created, unconventionally named Bengal tiger; Richard Parker.  The relationship that ensues is so successful as it is almost believable. There is no magical transformation of his fellow lifeboat passenger into a friendly companion. He is still a carnivorous tiger, but it is Pi’s job of nourishing and taming him, which urges him to carry on and for this reason the audience come to respect him and appreciate their connection. The films use of 3D creates images that can only be described as beautiful; an ocean alight with luminous sea life, thousands of flying fish, and a deserted island filled with meercats are just some of the visually incredible images that make such a poignant story come to life.

Life of Pi’s incredible use of cinematography and 3D fused with a journey of one mans faith and endurance makes for a truly magical cinematic experience.

Verdict: *****