Life of Pi

Post by **Dave_LF** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 3:47 pm

I never would have thought this book could be made into a film. And if it were, I wouldn't have thought the plot and themes would survive intact. And if they did, I wouldn't have expected it to be good.

Shows what I know.

Post by **axordil** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 4:15 pm

Did you see it in 3D?

Post by **Dave_LF** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 4:18 pm

No; unfortunately the 3d showtimes didn't line up with babysitter availability. I figured it wouldn't matter since from what I remembered of the book, I expected it to be rather barren visually. But boy was I wrong on that count too!

Post by **Padme** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:57 am

Just got back from seeing it.

Ang Lee did a good job translating it and my eyes are full of eye candy.

Between Pi, Lincoln and Skyfall, I'm having a great few weeks of movie viewing and I still have The Hobbit to go.

Sadly I haven't seen the last Twilight movie .....but I haven't seen any of the other Twilight movies all the way through yet either.

Post by **WampusCat** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:32 am

I just saw it and am gobsmacked. The book truly came to life. Glorious, terrifying, intense life. The tale of this gentle soul's fight to survive was more than I had hoped to see. And there is scene after scene of such beauty and wonder... it made me sorry I didn't catch it in 3D, even though I generally dislike 3D.

Post by **Pearly Di** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 1:49 pm

This is 100% worth seeing in 3D, Wampus.

Best film in 3D I've ever seen, bar Avatar. Life of Pi is one of the most gorgeously beautiful, astoundingly beautiful films I've ever seen!

Loved the soundtrack, too.

The story ... well, I certainly found it very engaging. I like survival stories.

Yes, it engaged me. But I wasn't bowled over or deeply moved. (I've not read the book.) This is how I'm like these days: it takes a heck of a lot, in cinema or literature, to move me. The PJ treatment of Tolkien, for all its flaws, has simply spoiled me for anything else. 'Tis true.

And, I suspect, recent life-events which are far more intense than anything cinematic, have spoiled me too.

Post by **WampusCat** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:58 pm

The theological depth resonates with me just as much as the visual and musical beauty. The more I think of it, the more I am drawn into the need for a narrative of meaning. I can't say more without giving away too much, though.

I'm so glad I saw it on the big screen.

Post by **Padme** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 3:50 am

I agree Wampus, the narrative meaning is why I want to read the book now.

I am just so happy it got several Oscar nods. Sad The Hobbit didn't get more.

Post by **Teremia** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:05 am

I found the book kind of creepy and manipulative, so it's odd to read all these descriptions of the film as uplifting! I even saw some claim somewhere that the film was good for the whole family, and that took me by surprise, considering what the book's about. Maybe the creepiness of the book doesn't translate into film? I haven't seen the film because I so disliked the book, but perhaps I should . . . .

Post by **WampusCat** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 9:18 am

I found the book hard to read in places because of the sheer suffering involved, although I still was glad I read it. But the film was a much better experience, in part because it was condensed. More importantly, I knew where it was going and saw themes weaving through it more clearly.

And although I'd have never predicted a movie could even be made of this book, Ang Lee actually improved it. I have a vivid imagination, but this vision surpassed it, over and over.

Post by **Dave_LF** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:19 pm

I certainly didn't get creepy from the film, but I didn't get it from the book either...

Post by **JewelSong** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:45 am

Just saw this and I thought it was a stunningly beautiful film. Wonderfully cast. It is rare that I think a movie improves on a book, but in this case, it does. I saw it in 3 D, which is how the film was conceived.