A spectacular visualization of a marvelous book.

Rating: 9/10 (5 May 2014)

If you were enraptured by the book, this film magnificently presents the text into a film. it is a great example of a film BASED on a book. the film does not and cannot stand on its own.
the book explored great ideas of existence / religion, goes deep into loneliness, fear, love, family, survival, death, companionship or life in general. that is the key element as to why the movie can not stand on it's own. because the lessons from the book will only be learned through the book.
what's so great about the film is that, it may not teach all those ideals in depth, but it makes you realize them with the character. the movie is an experience. it is a marvelous journey with Pi.
as far as the technicalities of the film, acting, directing, editing, cinematography, effects, score, screenplay... nothing short of BRILLIANT. it was probably best described by the Oscar recipients themselves, as a feat that was seemingly impossible but at the end of the day, well done.
because Pi's undertaking may have not been an effective and awe- inspiring delivery by just a mediocre actor. the majesty and the perils of the pacific was excellently presented. the unfolding of the story was sound.
1 notch down a 10 of 10, because the film would only make complete and utter sense and value with the book.