Life of PiMovie Reviews

  • Go Based on 11,379 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Go
    Written November 23, 2012

    Very good, but wouldn't call it excellent.

    by CaniculaBlack

    Overall, I thought it was a very good movie, but I also feel I would have liked it a lot better if I hadn't read the book. So if you haven't read it, absolutely go see this film. If you have, I still recommend it, but not as highly. The acting was superb and the visual effects were simply stunning. There were times I had a hard time distinguishing CG from reality. And, for the most part, they did a good job of converting the book into a movie, which is always tricky. While I didn't like some of the changes about Pi's life in India, I could understand the purpose, and they handled it reasonably well. But the changes to the story on the lifeboat really bothered me. Some of the most dramatic scenes in the book were changed/removed to make room for dramatic scenes that didn't happen. More importantly, it drastically changed Pi's relationship with Richard Parker, making the story more heartwarming and less realistic. To me, the realism is what made the book so utterly compelling. 4/5 stars.

    • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written November 24, 2012

    Life of Pi

    by Benjy62

    Very interesting and touching movie. One of the few that I think should probably be seen in 3D even though I am not a huge fan of 3D movies. The ending is pretty mysterious and I almost wish it were simpler. NOT a movie for little kids though which I wish they made a little clearer in the ads.

    • 24 out of 44 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • So-so
    Written March 17, 2013

    Fascinating, but not our 'cup of tea'

    by

    It was clear the movie was well directed and the cinematography was outstanding. Good spiritual/moral lessons also. However, for us, the story line wasn't outstanding and his time at sea seemed endless.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written December 26, 2012

    Life of Pi

    by DCLaxfan

    I haven't read the book, but I enjoyed the movie. It was interesting and thought provoking. Spoiler alert, so don't continue if you haven't seen the movie: I really liked the part at the end that had you guessing whether Pi's story was a fantasy or not. I paid the extra $5 to see the movie in 3D, but I think it wasn't worth it as the 3D effects were just okay.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written December 27, 2012

    Life of Pi

    by loudorworth

    A powerful story, narrated in first person, as Pi reveals his amazing adventure to the story writer in a way that leaves one wondering at the end if this was a halucinatory fantasy or pure reality. This was a beautiful film that was well scripted, offering the viewer an amazing mental,visual, and spiritual experience that satisfies the soul at many levels... Go!

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written January 15, 2013

    Mind opening

    by jstrow

    This film asks basic questions: What is perception? What is memory? The story told cinematically and the story told to the shipping company end up at the same point but are vastly different. The cinematography at several points clearly conveys the perception of the character experiencing it. Film was exactly the right medium for this story.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written January 15, 2013

    One of a kind movie

    by amcmercado44

    The Life of Pi had a bit of everything - mostly edge-of-the-seat, some soft moments, a little bit of comedy and more of intense drama. I appreciate Ang Lee's direction in the wholesome aspect of the movie. One factual distortion was the last name Patel, which is not common in the Pondicherry area of India, but rather belongs to the western region. I guess that is for the familiarity of the audience, given that Patel is the No. 1 common Indian surname in the US and 172nd most common surname of all in the US.

    • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • So-so
    Written January 5, 2013

    Main thrill of the book undercut by the movie

    by blumusdu

    I felt the movie did not dive deep enough into Pi taming the tiger. Desperation and was the heart of the book and I feel it was really glossed over with this adaptation. I think it would have been better if his thoughts were overlaid in a monologue with his actions. I really wanted to feel this movie. It had a lot of promise but felt way to happy disney for the point of the story. I didn't hate the movie it was okay I just really wanted more from it. It had a lot of potential. The cinematography was good but I wanted to connect and love this movie. I left wishing at least the tiger were really so the movie could have more emotion.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written November 26, 2012

    Life of PI

    by MJWH

    This is by far the best movie of the year! It's a must see for all ages. I went with my 21 year old daughter and husband and the three of us were blown away by it. The ads don't do it justice. The message is up lifting...not to mention the photography. It kept your attention the whole 2 hrs of the movie. We walked away feeling uplifted and happy. I'd like to see how they made this movie because it was exceptionally done....BRAVO!!!!!!

    • 7 out of 10 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written November 26, 2012

    Best movie ever

    by

    I have never done one of these reviews before, but this movie made me! This is a MUST SEE for any spirtual person. This movie will change your persective on how you view your problems. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie! Go see it!!

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written March 24, 2013

    Had A Very Deep Message

    by dreemurgyrll99

    This movie was amazing, but very slow plot development. With the sub-plot in the background (the "interview"), the main story of the shipwreck was slow. It slowly gained speed and captured the attention of the viewer as time wore on. As Pi and his feline companion continue their journey to get home there are many discrepancies and the end is a general bore. *SPOILER* It is never confirmed whether Pi's original story is fact or a lie all along. *SPOILER ENDS*

    In conclusion, great plot line, good message, not for children under 10, good cinematography, good acting, but SLOW plot progress.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written November 26, 2012

    Nice story of survival and companionship

    by buffetfan1102

    This is a nice story of a boy who survivals a terribel ordeal. Scary yet powerful. It is a fantasy but well told. I did not read the book so don't know how close it is. I enjoyed this movie

    • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written November 24, 2012

    Spectacular

    by

    I had really high hopes for this movie going into it, and boy did it deliver. I highly recommend seeing Life of Pi - a beautiful and complicated story about God. We took our two daughters (9, 11) who both really liked it too. The movie provided us with a great conversation afterward on what it means to have faith, and believe in something you can't see.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written December 8, 2012

    How do they do it?

    by blcj12

    Mesmerizing. Visuals great. Had to see it a second time. Wanted to see it a third time. Want DVD! Good story, although accent sometimes hard to understand. Great acting. Reminiscent of Slumdog Millionnaire acting. Great talent. Hope it's up for an award. Wish the promos had been more dynamic. Not enough people in theaters. They don't know what they are missing! Exciting adventure. Good picture into some ways of Indian life. Can't say enough good things about this movie. Photography, lighting excellent. Interesting take when the tiger was in the water looking up into the boat - looked helpless and vulnerable, like a kitten. Wish there had been an "after the movie" show about how the movie was made. Maybe on DVD. From the time the ship sank the film was breathtaking. Pi's lament at the end reminded me of Tom Hanks losing Wilbur on Castaway. Life of Pi is a treasure.

    • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written December 3, 2012

    Life of Pi

    by Fedina

    I wish we would have seen it in 3D.....bet it would have been worth the extra money! I love the hope that Pi shared and the understanding it doesn't matter who believes when your know the truth. The movie was very well done......may go back and see it in 3D

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No

Tweets About Life of Pi

90% positive
Join the conversation

ABLuxury Finally watched Life of Pi. Great Visual effects!

1 days ago.

iamlionsy Have just watched Life of Pi #myheadhurts

1 days ago.

katrinejoyce58 Life of Pi was so good.

1 days ago.

Allison__Isabel Life of Pi was actually a great movie.

1 days ago.

bbetsku just saw life of pi

1 days ago.

Life of Pi Featured Trailers + Video Clips

Watch All Videos

Exclusive Features

Cast Interviews Exclusive Cast Interviews Director Ang Lee talks about adapting the book into a 3D film while star Suraj Sharman talks about taking on the role and Lee as his mentor. More Films on Fandango's Award Watch An inside look at Hollywood's race to the Oscars!