Moving experience

Rating: 8/10 (21 September 2013)

As cinema this works. It didn't appeal to me when it first came out and so I just now watched it and I couldn't stop watching it because I wanted to see how the story ended. That must mean that as a film it works, does its job of holding an audience. I normally hate CGI but here it is used to excellent effect to create a magical world. Most of the sets must be CGI. The animal animation is amazing - very life-like though obviously and thankfully not.
I think I agree with the criticisms that it says very little, nothing new at all but makes you think you are watching something spiritual. I suppose that is also because the main character is experiencing heart felt emotions so we go along with that and empathise. It didn't get me nearer to God that's just the film "trick" to get you interested. On the other hand there is something mystical going on and most obviously with his relationship with the Tiger. He idealistically thought a wild animal had a soul like his but does eventually realise that a tiger cannot be tamed, only trained. And the ending does not sentimentalise that fact so that was a plus.
Definitely worth watching.