Life of Pi
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Life of Pi - the movie.
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Indigo.plume
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rated it 5 stars
Aug 29, 2012 12:09PM
My only reservation about watching the movie is the fact that I loved the book so much, I'm bound to experience some level of disappointment. I still remember how excited I was to see "The Count of Monte Cristo." The movie didn't hold a candle to the book.
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I am very excited to see the movie. I'm hoping they will cut the ending out too. I did not care for the ending either.
can't believe it. there are some people basing their judgement of whole movie on how the ending is tackled and now here some who don't even care about the ending. wow. i'll have to find out myself.
Waqas wrote: "can't believe it. there are some people basing their judgement of whole movie on how the ending is tackled and now here some who don't even care about the ending. wow. i'll have to find out myself."
I totally agree with you .. how can you think that cutting the ending will make the movie great .. I liked the ending very much .. and it was deeper than I thought .
Anas wrote: "Waqas wrote: "can't believe it. there are some people basing their judgement of whole movie on how the ending is tackled and now here some who don't even care about the ending. wow. i'll have to ..."
This was my problem with the ending: The conversation between the two Japanese men. I had no issue with Pi coming up with the two versions of the story, although I would have prefered had it just been about this boy surviving the sea. My problem was the way it was handled, as if it were some kind of joke. The Japanese men were making a joke of Pi's version of the story and offering him cookies like he was some kind of baby that would be appeased. It felt like the author was making fun of the readers like we had all fallen for some kind of joke. April fool's, ha, ha, ha! If it had been dealt with professional disbelief by the Japanese men, maybe it would have fared better, but for me, it just didn't work. It seemed very out of place to the whole story.
So here we are looking back, and reflecting on the Life of PI after it made it to the big screen. Overall, I don't know if I really like this movie.
It was the first time I had heard of the film, or even knew there was a book so in a real sense it raised awareness.
However I don't know if I can really like a riddle, and Life of PI is just simply a riddle.
It would have been different if the Author had warned or said, "This is a fiction." or "This is a non-fiction." as I would have been able to accept it easier.
However at no point does he do this, even in the movie. In fact he declares he will not do it. All we know is the author interviewed two Japanese business men about this event, and it either happened or it didn't.
That kind of moral ambiguity is what left me with more of a "bad taste"...due to the fact there is now just as many people who could say this tale is fiction..as there is who may claim it's non-fiction.
Leaving it up in the air like that, just made it to open ended and confusing for my taste. So I can't say I will really remember this movie at all.
In contrast, another great movie about wilderness survival called The Hunter actually holds a similar theme but is based on a real event. Filmed in the Australian wilderness, it is a live account of a Hunter going head-first against the most rare Animal on our Earth. The fabled Tasmanian Tiger.
So the characters, story and lessons of survival are far more engaging for me because of it being proven non-fiction. The ideas expressed are more grounded and wholesome. I don't get bothered by awkward exaggerations, because the whole overall story, is so bizarre it fits perfect on screen.
In contrast, this is a movie I'll be thinking about a long time to come. It leaves you with more answers than questions. PI only leaves you with questions.
Indigo.plume wrote: "My only reservation about watching the movie is the fact that I loved the book so much, I'm bound to experience some level of disappointment. I still remember how excited I was to see "The Count o..."I agree - whenever I read a book I almost always say - aw this would be a great movie - This was one of the few books I didnt think they could even come close to doing justice with by making it a movie - Im almost afraid to watch it :/ I really loved this book!!!!!
Movie is not doing bad on imdb and rotten tomatoes.so @Heather you should give it a try :) plus its also in 3D.
@Samsonread you've watched the movie but didn't read the book? and you don't like the movie just because its not clear whether its based on true story or not?
@Bernadette same here. couldn't finish the book but I'll try to watch the movie.
I read the book in 2007 and just finished rereading it before I see the movie. Looking forward to the movie, and I'm wondering how the movie will 1) convey the importance of the first part of the book - before going to sea. This is important insight into Pi's character.
2) end the story. The author left us sorting some things out in our own minds. How will this transfer to film?
By the way, I'm glad I read the book again. Much better the second time.
I agree with you Gayle. I'm re-reading it and enjoying it more than the first time. I first read it in 2005 and I remember I fell in love with it. I'm really interested to see how the movie is.
I loved the book and am very excited to see the movie!
Julia wrote: "For me, this is one of those books that I would prefer they never make into a movie! I think the trailer looks horrible! Martel's writing style is what made the book so great, in my opinion. An aut..."I agree...part of the charm of this book is the writing. I'm undecided on whether to go and see the film.
I just saw the movie this weekend and loved it. I was glad to have the background of the story and ending as a supplemental to the movie. The movie for me was a great visual aid to the book. I must say I was a little worried about how the ending would be handled, but I think they did a good job of it. I highly recommend the 3D version of the movie.
Licha wrote: "I just saw the movie this weekend and loved it. I was glad to have the background of the story and ending as a supplemental to the movie. The movie for me was a great visual aid to the book. I m..."How did they handle the gory bits? I'm worried. Is it too graphic?
Interestingly, all the gore in the film is implied and never shown on screen.
Will wrote: "The ending is the most important part of the book, so if they get that right, I'll call call the movie a success."I completely agree. I was honestly a bit surprised they were making it a movie because of that.
Donald wrote: "Interestingly, all the gore in the film is implied and never shown on screen."Great to know. Thanks.
Ok just to update, I watched the movie last week. It was not as bad as the book, so personally movie is bearable for me. I watched it in 3D, its also not a bad 3D film and some scenes looked awesome.
Susana wrote: "Licha wrote: "I just saw the movie this weekend and loved it. I was glad to have the background of the story and ending as a supplemental to the movie. The movie for me was a great visual aid to ..."Like Donald said, the gore is implied but it doesn't take away the harshness of reality. Just knowing what was happening made me cringe, but it is animal nature. The scenes depicting a monster sea were just as bad and those were definitely not implied. Mother nature is equally scary if not more so. Those scenes were very graphic.
The movie sure respected the book much to my surprise! The director has omitted some episodes and deviced others, but in general you can see that he has captured the atmosphere of the story as best as one could, with few and acceptable alterations. Another addition is a love story, as it seems Hollywood isn't allowed to have any movie without it, but, fortunately, there's only a slight mention of the girl, which is present in a couple of scenes in the beginning and that's that. However, there was a great many exact quotations from excerpts of the book, which was a very agreeable idea! All in all a good movie - A far greater book... (that's bound to be the case with most books anyway)
To Jonathan, I agree with everything you've said here. I had forgotten that one minor detail you mentioned about the love interest. That irritated me a little bit and I'm glad it was not pursued any further in the movie. Does Hollywood think a story can't have subtance without adding some love interest element to it? The only significance I could relate to it was that it was trying to explain reading the tiger's body language, and in a very brushed over manner, which probably means that was not the purpose of adding that scene.
saw the movie :) exactly what i was hoping for!beautiful colors,scenes,you can taste the sea salt its so realistic!if u loved the book, see the movie u wont be disappointed.
Licha wrote: "To Jonathan, I agree with everything you've said here. I had forgotten that one minor detail you mentioned about the love interest. That irritated me a little bit and I'm glad it was not pursued ..."I'm so happy to see such a comment!
Hollywood almost creeps me up with the way movies are produced...
It's as though they have a certain 'recipe' for moviemaking, and they tend to follow a specific motif, adjusted to meet the requirements of different stories. This 'love' addition is a main and favored 'ingredient', and I was irritated myself when I saw the girl. C'mon people! Couldn't they face the fact that there WAS NOT A LOVE STORY in this book? It's almost scary I tell you... If I had to name it, I would call it the 'Hollywood Cult'.
Little piece of action here, little soft-non-porn there, a little twist, and BANG!, there comes the ending with both protagonists holding hands or parting in a very pompous scene.
I got a little carried away here, I'm not trying to say that this was a bad movie or a 'very Hollywood' one, but I'm so fed up with the movie Industry. I'm all for American Cinema, but only when it comes to more culturally significant movies.
THe movie was amazing. I just saw it for my birthday and it was truly a masterpiece. There was so many emotions and I cried a few times :(. But a lot of things were added on in the movie, and that added interest to the plot. I wouldn't say that the movie was better than the book, but the movie was one of the better movies that I have seen.
Jonathan wrote: "Licha wrote: "To Jonathan, I agree with everything you've said here. I had forgotten that one minor detail you mentioned about the love interest. That irritated me a little bit and I'm glad it wa..."I'm glad we are of the same thinking. Reading your comment made me wonder why they even bothered to add this scene into the movie. It never went anywhere.
Not sure why this book is unbelievable - who knows what would happen to any of us stranded in the middle of the ocean (hallucination wise or coping wise).
Heather wrote: "Not sure why this book is unbelievable - who knows what would happen to any of us stranded in the middle of the ocean (hallucination wise or coping wise)."I did wonder how such a story was going to be pulled off, but once I read the book I could see how everything unfolded, how it was possible for Pi to survive for so long in the middle of the ocean and with a tiger onboard! I could picture the carnivorous island existing. I think that's why I was so gung-ho on believing the animal story.
honestly I underestimated this movie at the first time, but still I went to theater and watch it. Not much people know about this movie that time, they thought that it is just some kind of Bollywood movie. But it is amazingly beautiful movie. it is made me more understand about the story, and I think I should read the book again. anyway, I watched this movie 3 times within a month. wow.
Licha wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "Licha wrote: "To Jonathan, I agree with everything you've said here. I had forgotten that one minor detail you mentioned about the love interest. That irritated me a little bit a..."Exactly what I thought!
Since they didn't develop it further -in a way that would incorporate it to the core of the story, what's the use of it? It's as though it had to be there, even though as a mention!
Anyways, Hollywood is Hollywood and we know this prior to watching any movie it produces!
Glad we are of the same thinking, wish more Hollywood fans thought like that!
I read this book I really enjoyed it but I can't imagine it as a film at all; to many special effects for me by the look of the trailer.
Maya wrote: "honestly I underestimated this movie at the first time, but still I went to theater and watch it. Not much people know about this movie that time, they thought that it is just some kind of Bollywoo..."I just finished the book in preparation to go see the movie on New Years' Day. Looking forward to seeing it! I really liked the book.
I saw the movie in a preview screening in 3D. It is exceptional, very true to the book, and the 3D effects are absolutely stunning [I usually cannot stand 3D in movies, but this was state of the art]. The best part of the film was that it maintained the themes of the book. I would highly recommend it, regardless of whether you liked the book.
I saw this movie today in 3D and I too thought it was excellent. I was so pleased that it was true to the book and one line which had confused me at the end, on discussion in the car, a friend said maybe it means this, so now I am even happier cos the whole thing is a bit clearer to me. I highly recommend this movie, it was great. When the library gets it in, I will borrow it to watch again, or I may even buy the DVD...............I was glad I had reread the book last week though!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and think I want to see the movie. If you have seen it, tell me, do I need to see it on the big screen or can I wait for the DVD? If on the big screen, do I need to see the 3D version?
The movie only made me appreciate the book more. Both were quite excellent. Props to Ang Lee!
Jan wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed the book and think I want to see the movie. If you have seen it, tell me, do I need to see it on the big screen or can I wait for the DVD? If on the big screen, do I need to se..."Big screen. It is an experience and beautiful to watch.
I think Ang Lee did a brilliant job of retelling the Pi story and capturing the absolute wonder and terror of Nature!
Lily wrote: "I think Ang Lee did a brilliant job of retelling the Pi story and capturing the absolute wonder and terror of Nature!"Lily, the visual effects were just stunning. He really did a brilliant job.
Cisco wrote: "Lily wrote: "I think Ang Lee did a brilliant job of retelling the Pi story and capturing the absolute wonder and terror of Nature!"Lily, the visual effects were just stunning. He really did a br..."
Cisco, what do you think of the ending—there was a tiger/there wasn't a tiger?
all i say is richard parker !!! lol
Natasha wrote: "all i say is richard parker !!! lol"I agree completely! Besides which, who do you want to look at for two hours, Gerard Depardieu or a Bengal Tiger?
Lily, I think the ending was magnificent. I believe there was a tiger inside him. :-)
Cisco wrote: "Lily, I think the ending was magnificent. I believe there was a tiger inside him. :-)"Cisco wrote: "Lily, I think the ending was magnificent. I believe there was a tiger inside him. :-)"
My husband agrees with you, 99. He saw it through the frame of a young man who was deeply religious, a man whose reality was seen through metaphor. As a storyteller, though, I call foul.
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