Pi Patel’s journey is described as one “that would make you believe in God.” Although Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi” probably won’t have this effect on the majority of its viewers, it will definitely make audience members believe in the power of good actors and amazing graphics.
Based on Yann Martel’s novel of the same name, the film begins in modern-day Canada in the home of a middle-aged Pi (Irrfan Khan), where he is telling the story of his adventurous past to a writer (Rafe Spall).
Pi Patel begins his tale in India, where his father owned a zoo. As a child, Pi (Ayush Tandon and Gautam Belur) frequently battled with school bullies and the difficult concept of religion (and having to choose just one to follow).
It is not until Pi’s father announces that the family must move to Canada that the film gains a slight amount of speed. While on board the ship, the now teenage Pi, (Suraj Sharma) his family and all of the animals from the family’s zoo encounter a terrible storm that sinks the vessel.
Pi is the only member of his family who survives, and he is forced to retreat to a life raft filled with four zoo animals — a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a tiger. Three of the animals die shortly after the catastrophe, and Pi is left alone with the massive Bengal tiger: Richard Parker.
The majority of the remainder of the film is somewhat monotonous. Pi and Richard Parker battle each other over boundaries and struggle to stay alive as they face hunger, dehydration and waters infested by giant whales.
The toll the time at sea has on Pi’s body and mind are obvious through Sharma’s believable and sincere portrayal.
Although there is no change in setting for about an hour (it’s just the boat, the boy and the tiger), there are occasionally very entrancing visual effects.
Lee pays close attention to the ocean water and creates beautiful moments where the ocean is lit up by all of its inhabitants. Even in a non-3-D viewing, these scenes are mesmerizing.
After first landing on a confusingly self-destructive island, Richard Parker and Pi eventually arrive on the banks of Mexico and part ways rather anticlimactically.
The remaining minutes call into question just how “real” Pi’s journey really was.
After experiencing all of this excitement alongside Pi, some might find such indication irritating.
Viewers of “Life of Pi” might feel as if the film dragged on in places or sense a disconnect between the three different time periods displayed.
However, the story told is a compelling one from which audience members will each take a special and individual meaning.
Though the film’s conclusion is frustrating, the stunning visual effects and thought-provoking content make the film ultimately worthwhile.
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