Could have been a classic

Rating: 6/10 (25 June 2013)

After watching some harrowing horror art-house recently, I had the sudden urge to watch a modern day "feel-good" movie with my partner. Life Of Pi seemed to fit the bill with the promise of some of the best animal CGI ever seen, and as far as that goes it doesn't disappoint.
The storytelling of the main character at the beginning is masterful and draws you into the world of Pi and his screen partner. Once the main story begins the film really is two hours of a courageous boy lost at sea with a Bengal tiger. As crafty and original of a concept that is, at times it did seem grating and I found myself pleading for a change of scene, for them to find land and move the adventure to new pastures. Life Of Pi however is not that kind of movie. Towards the end the story seems to swan dive into something symbolic containing an island consisting entirely of Meer cats and strange flowers which contain teeth. This seemed out of place to me and a little confusing, and the film lost its grasp on me at this point. When Pi and the tiger eventually arrive to safety on a beach, the tiger simply walks into the jungle, never looking back. I was hoping to see a nice friendship evolve, a precious love between species - but alas I was disappointed. I wasn't expecting a Disney film per-se, but it could have completed Life Of Pi for me as one of the modern classics, but instead it just tried to be a modern movie overhauled by a flawed concept.
There are scenes here which will upset younger viewers. It's suggested the main character has his entire family drown at sea; parents and the animals they kept. Animals are also killed by the tiger, although this is usually done off-screen, but you can see the aftermath. Definitely not the feel good movie of the year! Life Of Pi isn't a bad movie, sure it's a flawed one depending on what you expect from it. The CGI is breath-taking, the visuals are incredible, perfect to show off your new Blu-Ray and LED screen with. The story didn't quite grab me like it did others, and I found most of it quite drawn out, and too symbolic for my liking. For that I can only feel disappointed.