Life of Pi 3D

A boy, a Bengal tiger, a wounded zebra, orangutan, and hyena find themselves trapped on a life boat together— the start of a hilarious joke or the most captivating adventure to take place on screen? The latter for sure, but I’m sure there’s a great joke that could come from that scenario as well. Ang Lee’s tale of a teenage Indian boy named Piscine is a stunningly creative and exhilarating mix of striking visuals, commentary on globalization and enough religious discourse to make you contemplate the concept of god.

Life of Pi is a nearly perfectly constructed three act story that begins in Pi’s adolescent years. A bright child with the unfortunate fate of being named after a French swimming pool, Pi’s peers look past his brilliance and only know him as “pissing,” however, he quickly learns the mathematical equation of Pi in its excruciating detail earning respect among most of his peers. Striving in his thirst for knowledge, Pi, a born Hindu, stumbles into a church on a dare and finds himself enamored by the figure Jesus Christ. Pi soon begins to frequent the church interrogating the minster about the deeds of Christ, allowing him to understand and appreciate the deity. Soon after, Pi finds himself on a path to Islam becoming enticed by Islamic rituals and prayer. Not only does he follow Christ and Allah while also worshiping the gods of Hinduism, but Pi even dabbles in Kabbalism further proving his insatiable interest in a higher power.

After worshiping all these various incarnations of a God, one would think Pi would be safely protected in the Almighty’s pocket, and perhaps he is considering the mysterious ways God likes to work in. The all-faithful loyal teen is instead given the Job treatment. When Pi’s family must relocate their home and their zoo owned by Pi’s father, a freak storm hits the boat that his family is on, destroying it and leaving Pi stranded on a life boat with the aforementioned animals. In Job like fashion, Pi’s faith is tested to the point of suffering, yet he still labors on despite the numerous struggles of trying to survive unpredictable waters and a hungry carnivorous prey.

It’s no secret that Life of Pi is absolutely astounding with its heavy use of vast long shots contrasted against close-ups that bob up and down in water trapping audiences in Pi’s purgatory of endless sea and atmosphere. Often times I found myself gasping for air and nearly tasting the salt of the ocean every time the camera intricately emerges from water with Pi. But Life of Pi isn’t just a pretty face; it has depth beyond recognition and newcomer Suraj Sharma is perfect as the open-minded kindhearted Pi. His struggle seems so realistic that you actually believe that he has spent months at sea with a ravenous beast and a desperate will to live. I wanted so badly to reach up and assure his exhaust ridden face that he’s going to be alright. When he somehow finds wonder in the tumultuous world around him, you can’t help but share that appreciation as well.

I came home from Life of Pi and immediately looked up survival skills and have promised myself that I’m going to learn to swim because it reminded me that I have no control over my circumstances in life and the possibility of being tossed into a survival situation is highly likely. Life of Pi is a reminder that life, whether controlled by some unseen force or just a random series of events, is chaotic yet beautiful and with faith and hard work we can make it through obstacles thrown our way. Unfortunately if put in the same circumstance as Pi, I’m sure I’d die from losing hope and confidence in myself, that’s why I need these survival skills.

SEE IT. In 3D to get the full experience of Pi’s amazing journey.