The last time I was so astounded with something on the big screen was in Avatar. Though Life Of Pie definitely doesn't stand anywhere close to it but yes it had that power to mesmerize me at moments. The plot is average, with few glitches as well, but the execution is near perfect, all thanks to the amazing director Ang Lee. I have been his fan since the day I had watched Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and my admiration for his direction grew even stronger with this movie.
A writer meeting up an Indian in Canada as he has been directed by his uncle to do so and then hearing up his story of adventure, survival and his life may not look a very gripping tale at first, but eventually beholds you with the help of some amazingly rich and colorful special effects and graphics. I would say after Avatar and Kung Fu Panda 2, this is the third movie in which I actually loved the use of 3D and found it relevant enough to make your experience one of its kind. The script though, lacks clarity and moves bit wayward in the first half as it focuses on the little boy "Pie" and his search for god. Later on he falls in love with a girl but is soon forced to leave India and travel across the Pacific to Canada with his family and their zoo animals. The leisurely pace eventually speeds up when the ship hits into a storm and is drowned. The only survivors are Pie himself and a handful of animals on a shipwreck. From here starts his survival on the shipwreck with a tiger named "Richard Parker". He had to feed himself and also the tiger and he gradually claims his place on the boat in the tiger's presence. The focus of the story was more on the relation the boy shares with the tiger and what he ultimately comes to realise in this painful journey across the pacific than in showcasing the suffering of a castaway.
The best technical aspects of the movie were the special effects and the cinematography. The amazingly real sound effects, which gave the storm scenes even more authentic touch were like an icing to the cake. A few scenes made you remember Avatar for sure especially the one in night with all the jelly fishes and the blue whale. The lead actor, Suraj Sharma did a splendid job. Irrfan was fine as usual although he didn't have too much to deliver. The glitches were the average script but an equally amazing screenplay not only neutralizes it but makes it a visual experience of a lifetime. Poor editing too makes the movie a little longer than it could have been. But in the end it's the magical experience you feel during this journey that would overshadow all such errors and faults.
Overall a visual treat for sure. Yes, it's not those awesome stuff where you remain spellbound for days and months but it does have it's moments of awe that you will cherish once it ends.
My Verdict: 7.5/10
