Life of Pi: Review By The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

I honestly did not even know this movie existed until about a week ago; the week of it's release. It's a new trimester, and my teacher told us we'd get 25 extra credit points if we went and saw Life of Pi (since we'll be reading the book in a few weeks), and wrote a one page review about it. Me, being an A+ student (I wish) went out and saw this movie, with knowing nothing about it; only seeing the posters. I'd never even seen a trailer previously. Only posters and recommendations. I must say while the movie started out goofy, sloppy, unconvincing and cheesy, it did get better. In fact, it got so good where I've pretty much forgiven it's beginning scenes.

The film is based on a book. I'm not sure of the format of the book; if it's told and presented the way the movie is, but honestly I was not happy with the way the film adaptation is presented. It's somewhat like Forrest Gump, in a way. It's all done and over with, and the main character, Pi, is telling his story to an author who will write a book about Pi's journey. I do not enjoy it when films do this. I like having the suspense, and also to sit and watch the events, without it cutting suddenly to two people sitting somewhere doing some crap; I'd much rather just see the movie as a whole with no interruptions. Not to mention that very easily they could have cut those scenes out, making the film far more convincing. Thanks to that little narration, I already pretty much knew the outcome of the movie.

The story Pi is telling the author is about his journey. He was on a boat with a bunch of animals, which sinks. Pi ends up on a lifeboat with a vicious tiger, and no sign of life is evident anywhere nearby. Sadly I already knew Pi would be saved and live somehow because I saw him speaking to the author, thus making the film lack suspense. However, despite that, the film is still emotionally gripping. I did not care so much for Pi, as I did the tiger (whom they named Richard Parker). The tiger at first appears to be vicious, and is so for a majority of the film, but you know in the back of your head him and Pi will have some sort of connection towards the end, and become, "friends" so to speak. I am not an animal freak at all; I'm not one to go "Awww" every time some animal moves at the zoo. But I truly did think that CGI tiger was cute, and even felt emotionally attached.

Speaking of CGI, the computer effects were amazing. You can tell a lot of it is computer, but I must say that it is still breathtaking when you combine the cinematography involved. Especially in the part where the ship sinks. The storm is crazy, hectic, and really gets you on the edge of your seat. I now know why they released it in 3D (which I almost wish I would have experienced), and had a huge budget of $120 million dollars. I am not sure if the film will get all that money back, but I hope it does.

Ang Lee is a very great director. He directed the Hulk film which most people hate. I personally like it better than the Edward Norton 2008 "remake". Lee has also directed another controversial piece- Brokeback Mountain, which I still enjoyed, thinking is was a fantastic drama. Lee really breaks away from those two film's styles. I honestly would not have known this was a movie by him. Even though it does have some odd transitions, like Hulk did. Lee really draws you into the characters, especially showing off talent in the ship sinking scene I mentioned.

Overall, I must say I did very much enjoy Life of Pi once it got going. After a cheesy start, the film proves it to be worthy of an admission ticket. I look forward to reading the book.