DVD Review: Life of Pi (+trailer)

There was certainly no lack of recognition for Ang Lee's remarkable Life of Pi.

Four Oscar wins is due reward for a remarkable story of a boy and a male Bengal tiger nicknamed Richard Parker.

But it is not just about the story, it is about the brilliant cinematography that brings it all alive on screen.

This is one of the year's most stunning visual efforts, from the night-time visit from a blue whale to the fluorescent jellyfish and flying fish, this is a movie alive with sensory treats.

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma/Irrfan Khan) is the average boy with a remarkable story.

Growing up in India with his family and their zoo, Pi knows about animals and their incredible powers. When his father decides the family must leave India and sell their zoo animals, they all board a ship bound for Canada and a new start.

But fate was not to allow that ship to arrive safely and a huge storm sent it to the bottom of the ocean.

Somehow Pi managed to escape aboard a liferaft with a random collection of the animals - a zebra, orangutan, hyena and tiger.

Ultimately, it comes down to Pi and Richard Parker still alive on the raft, and he must find a way to make it work for both of them.

And so begins an odyssey across the ocean with a resourceful young man and a hungry and seasick man-eater. Slowly a relationship develops between the two and a kind of mutual respect emerges, allowing Pi more freedom to find food and keep the pair alive.

But Pi realises that should he let his guard down at any time, the consequences are likely to be gruesome.

The pair's journey is an amazing one of hope and despair and never fails to keep your attention.

This is one of those epics we will still be watching in years to come.

Life of Pi

(PG) 20th

Century Fox

Rating: 4 / 5