The story of an Indian boy named Pi, a zookeeper's son who finds himself in the company of a hyena, zebra, orangutan, and a Bengal tiger after a shipwreck sets them adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
The movie's energy peters out in a series of book-club conversations about divine will, the power of storytelling, and the resilience of the human spirit.
– Dana Stevens,
Slate,
21 Nov 2012
fresh:
There's an audience out there for this movie, but the question is whether they will find it.
– James Berardinelli,
ReelViews,
21 Nov 2012
fresh:
Mr. Lee's film is stronger as a visual experience-especially in 3-D-than an emotional one, but it has a final plot twist that may also change what you thought you knew about the ancient art of storytelling.
– Joe Morgenstern,
Wall Street Journal,
22 Nov 2012
fresh:
Flawed, yes, but marvellously ambitious, and unforgettably gorgeous to look at.
– Tom Huddleston,
Time Out,
11 Dec 2012
rotten:
Veteran filmmakers will warn you, don't film at sea and don't work with animals. Ang Lee built a vast tank in Taiwan and he whips up awesome storms. [However,] watching the water here is more rewarding than watching the characters.