'Life of Pi' isn't full of life. Watch it for the visual experience, if you must.

Rating: 5/10 (25 November 2012)

Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' begins with a delightful opening scene in a zoo with various animals and a melodious song playing the background. The rest of the film is also replete with fascinating scenes, but somewhere the connect is missing.
Narrated in flashback mode, it's the story of Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma when young and Irrfan when grown up), a man who is a Hindu, a Muslim, a Christian and who also teaches other religions. He is the lone survivor of a sea disaster in which he also loses his family. Now on a small boat in a vast ocean, he has to survive. And to give him company is none other than a deadly Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
'Life of Pi' is a visual treat. There are no two ways about it. There are many scenes which will mesmerize you like the scene in which blue lights are lit in the ocean and when the ship is hit by a storm. Alas, beautiful scenes alone don't make a wonderful film.
It has the right intentions but lacks the soul to be a great film. There are many things the film wants to say (like not losing hope), but they aren't narrated meritoriously. You feel underwhelmed as you don't really relate with the main character. And it also drags in portions.
Suraj Sharma delivers an inspiring performance. He handles his character with great poise. Irrfan is perfect. Watch out for the scene in which he breaks down. Tabu is good in her small role. But perhaps the biggest star of the film is the tiger. The relationship which he shares with Suraj Sharma is endearing. The cinematography is spotless and the editing of the film is swift with some wonderful transitions.
'Life of Pi' isn't full of life. Watch it for the visual experience, if you must.