A dishonest sugar coated soufflé of a film

Rating: Null/10 (22 December 2012)

This isn't to say that I dislike soufflés. I don't. And it's unfair of me really to associate the sublime quality of something so tasty with this mess, but I keep thinking those behind the film must have had soufflé on the mind when they concocted it.
Visually 'wow'? - check Full of hot air? - check Style over substance? - check
Unfortunately, while a restaurant doesn't offer a soufflé by claiming it is sirloin steak, the same can't be said of the people behind Life Of Pi (the film. Surely the book can't be this bad).
The heart of the problem is that 'our hero' states early on something like 'I will make you believe in God'. What follows is a very drawn out act set on the lifeboat of the poster, with sumptuous visuals, thoughts (shallow, but still thoughts) and zoo animals to endear it to the viewer, followed by a short act in a grey hospital with pestering insurance agents and real life to do the opposite. Had the 2 been in any way balanced, this could have become an interesting story about how religion helped the 'hero' survive his ordeal as he struggled with the elements and himself (the tiger), while letting viewers choose for themselves how they would have survived and whether any religious belief would have helped. But they weren't, and all the tricks of the sugar rich soufflé are bound to win over most viewers and try to convince them they've seen a 'meaningful' film. They haven't.
I should add that I saw this in 2D (had the benefit of stopping the sugar overload getting to me). Which means a side point. If you've got ear plugs handy and just want to see visual imagination at work, it might be worthwhile sticking em in and seeing this in 3D. If, on the other hand, you want to see what all the fuss is about and want to make your own mind up, see it in 2D to avoid the 3D sugar coating. Best of all though, spend your money and time on a proper soufflé at a restaurant somewhere.