Funny, exciting, frightening and inspiring - all in equal measure.

Rating: 10/10 (18 April 2016)

I heard about this novel by Yann Martel some years back when it won the Booker prize, but I confess that the subject matter did not inspire me to sit down and read it. However all the hoo-ha surrounding the release of this movie in 3D, which was directed by one of my 'must see' film directors, Ang Lee, encouraged me to go and see when it opened in 3D here in Pattaya.
I loved this movie. It was a visual feast, it was funny, exciting, frightening and inspiring, all in equal measures. It is a magical adventure story about an Indian youth who finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orang-utan and a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker - all of them fighting for survival. One might imagine that boredom would soon set in such a film in such a setting, (as it did for me in Castaway), but not a bit of it. Indeed, Tom Hanks would probably have benefited from having a dangerous animal or two on his castaway island. The story races along, and there is never a dull moment as the young man struggles to survive and come to terms with the presence of a tiger sharing his space. It is riveting stuff.
I have yet to be convinced by the use of 3D in movies and still believe that it will eventually turn out to be a passing fad. But in The Life of Pi, the use of 3D is absolutely stunning and is an incredible feast for the eyes. There is no question that when it is used in particular situations, as it was in this movie, it certainly does enhance the viewing pleasure.
Suraj Sharma in the lead role as Pi is a treasure and is totally believable as a young, pubescent teenager coming to terms with his situation with humour, angst and not a small amount of courage and ingenuity. As the story drifts further and further from reality, there is an intriguing twist in the tale, which I will not recount and so spoil your viewing pleasure, but will simply say that for me it was the 'icing on the cake' of a highly entertaining and thought provoking film. Well done and thank you to Ang Lee and Yann Martel.