Life of Pi [2012]
Odds of being considered possessed by Satan: 7,000 to 1. Odds of getting stuck on a raft with a tiger: 5,000,000,000 to 1.
Film #058 of 2013
Director: Ang Lee Cast: Suraj Sharma [Pi], Irrfan Khan [Adult Pi] & Rafe Spall [Writer]
Plot: A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger. Source IMDB.com
Hipster Review: Life of Pi bombards you with beautiful words, breathtaking sounds and images so spiritually profound you may see God himself/herself…Ang Lee’s vision of Yann Martel’s novel is one of the most pleasurable films of 2012 and its characters Pi and Richard Parker could be the most spectacularly odd duo since E.T. Watched March 1st, 2013.
“I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.” Pi
Highlights:
- Pi’s ark which included an orangutan, zebra, rat and a tiger
- All of the oceans lovely creatures – flying fish, dolphins, jellyfish, sharks and whales
- How Piscine Militor Patel became Pi
- The island of trees, Meerkats and glowing teeth
- The pissing match between Pi and Richard Parker
Biggest Surprise: How extraordinary the story was, and the ending just made it so much better for me.
Biggest Let Down: The boat was unusually clean considering it’s occupant was a tiger who ate a zebra and a thousand fish.
Does the guy find God in the end? Perhaps, with a little creativity and openness.
Worth a Blu-ray purchase? It’s visually stunning, this film is the very reason why Blu-ray was invented.
Similar to: Where the Wild Things Are [2009], Cast Away [2000].
What Tweeters are saying:
My review of Life of Pi. One of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen and one of the best of the year. cinekatz.com/2012/11/nov-25… @lambthe—
Nick Powell (@CineKatz) November 26, 2012
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time my furry friends, Chris
Posted on March 6, 2013, in 2012, Movies watched in 2013 and tagged Ang Lee, Filmhipster, Irrfan Khan, Life of Pi, Movie, Movie Reviews, Movies, Rafe Spall, Review, Reviews, Suraj Sharma. Bookmark the permalink. 57 Comments.
Surprised to see my own Tweet in your review! Thanks! I wish my site was up for the link, though! lol. Glad you like the film, one of my favorites of 2012!!
We all wish your site was up and running! 1 more day??
May be a little longer.. but yeah lol.. very soon.
It is visually stunning and very enjoyable but I think it is overrated (like Avatar was a few years ago). The reason why I probably won’t watch it ever again is the crazy advertising campaign that has been going on, I am full of this film now. God I sound miserable….lol
That’s okay Erik, not everyone will love it. And you don’t sound miserable, just passionate about your view that it’s over-hyped.
Nice post. I liked this film but I just couldn’t get over how they overexplained the ending. It really bothered me. Besides, I’d just read the book, which is a lot better. Still, the visuals are breathtaking!
Oh that’s too bad. I really thought the ending was amazing. I don’t usually watch the film before reading the book but I think I’ll make an exception this time.
Nice to see you rate this highly Chris. I did too. Brilliant film. A lot of people where a little upset with the ending bit it worked for me. One of the film’s of the year.
I loved the ending and I was aware of the negative views of the finale going in. It really worked for me a lot. It went from a great film to a spectacular film. Thanks Mark.
Best film of 2012, really glad you liked this!
I’m torn between this and Beasts of the Southern Wild. Both were touching but this may be the winner.
I absolutely loved this, definitely one of my favourites of last year. I wasn’t crazy about the whole meerkat island, it seemed a little out of place to me, but the ending worked perfectly for me.
The Meerkat scene worked for me only in the respect that Richard Parker followed him back to the boat. That was touching. It wasn’t a necessary scene. I liked the ending as well, and now that I know what happens, I think I’ll enjoy it even more during a second watch.
No doubt one of the greatest film of this decade.
I look forward to seeing this.
Thanks!
It’s awesome!!!!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful movie that just so happens to have a not-so beautiful story. It’s a bit weak, but at least Ang Lee is able to make us forget about it all for awhile. Good review.
Thanks man.
Really? I thought it was one of the greatest stories I’ve ever heard. The plot had everything going for it, and a twisted conclusion I never expected. Hmmm.
You should read the book! It’s fantastic.
Nice review! I have to say I’m not as big of a fan as many are but I still appreciated this movie. I’m anxious to give it another look.
I loved it, but want to watch it again as well. Especially knowing the details at the end. Thanks Keith!
God damn tigers…
LOL….
Nice review. This was one of my favorite films of last year and I was really amazed by the visuals.
It’s amazing, wish I saw it in 3-D though.
I saw it on big screen last night. Every single detail was stunning. And I’m still trying to find appropriate words to review it.
Agreed, I’m so looking forward to watching this again.
Lovely review, I felt the same way after reading the book. I can’t wait to see the film!
Oh you haven’t seen it? Well you’re in for a real treat Mike. It’s excellent. But you already know that since you’ve read the book.
Oh, and thanks for the retweet!
No worries mate, I also stumble it and google +’d it!
I cannot wait to get this on Blu-ray!!
Nice write up, my friend! Another one I doubt I’ll ever see : )
If there is one that you should, it’s this.
I have this book in hardcopy and on audio. I listen and re-read it again and again. It is the most awesome allegory, and I am so pleased to see you’ve given it your Hipster’s thumbs up!! Rahr!!
Yeah it phenomenal! Plus the writer is Canadian so that’s special to me too.
LOL @ you noting the cleanliness of the boat.
Maybe the tiger knew enough to hang his ass over the side, did you ever think of that?? 
Great flick. Well worth the high grade.
I’m here to ask the hard questions.
Perhaps, but what of the Zebra and Orangutang remains? lol
PI’s philosophy on religion is what will remain with me long after the pretty pictures and 3D is a distant memory. It made my extended Top 2012 list.
It’s a wonderful philosophy for sure. The end really makes you think.
Ahah, your summary made me laugh! Glad you enjoyed this. Yeah I think it’ll look stunning on Blu-ray, I wouldn’t mind watching this again once it’s available to rent.
Well it definitely has a lot of replay value. Now that I know what the ending is all about, I may watch the story a little bit differently the second time. Thanks for stopping by Ruth!
I loved this and can’t wait to see it on Blu-ray. I’m still in the process of putting together my top ten of 2012, but right now, this is at the top of the list.
Yeah, it needs to be in the top 10 for sure. I’m on fence between this and Beasts as my favorite.
I never thought about how clean the boat was until reading your comment on it…now of course, when I rewatch it on Blu I’m not going to be able to get it out of my mind.
Regardless, I’m the farthest thing from a spiritual person and let’s be honest…this is an extremely spiritual film; and I loved every minute of it. This was a film that needed to be seen in 3D to fully appreciate the beauty of it. It’s a visually impressive movie with a remarkable story, impressive acting and stunning effects. Basically an all-around winner.
Yeah, right after the Tiger eats all those flying fish, there’s just not a scrap to be seen on the boat. Weird.
It was my favorite of 2012, the story was just phenomenal!
it would make sense that those scraps stunk like hell and they threw them overboard. also, with the abundance of salt water, it wouldn’t be difficult to kind of rinse the boat a little.
But Pi wasn’t able to get into the boat, who cleaned it? The Tiger? lol
i’d expect the tiger to eat everything available.
You think? Even the bones? Maybe. He was hungry. Just seemed odd to me.
gotta go bringing reality into this. thanks for shattering the image.
That’s what I’m here for!
I saw this in 3-D! It was amazing! Maybe they’ll bring it back to the movies again. The flying fish was cool because it did look they were flying towards you. I should have taken my glasses off to watch the audience duck here and there, haha! I liked the allegory and twist at the end. The island represented a part of us and I thought was necessary. However, being infested by those critters was a weird choice and it was odd. Lol. Great post!!!!
Thanks, I never saw this in 3D and I’m regretting it now…like you say, hopefully they bring it back one day so I can enjoy it in that format.
I think this was my favorite film of the year.
Yeah, it was a great film! My only and maybe it’s silly, complaint about the movie was the neon blue they showed when the whale was frolicking around. It was just too reminiscent of Avatar (and even they had an overload of some neon in their movie). Other than that, I need to see it again.
Nice observation, that scene did remind me of Avatar now that you mentioned it.
Haha, I can only handle so much blue neon before my eyes start to glaze over…..