Embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this visual masterpiece from Oscarr winner Ang Lee*, based on the best-selling novel. After a cataclysmic shipwreck, young Pi Patel finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with the only other survivor - a ferocious Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Bound by the need to survive, the two are cast on an epic journey that must be seen to be believed.
Director Ang Lee has done a superb job bringing this beautiful Best Picture nominated film to the screen. There is a lot of visual wizardry on display here but without Lee's helping hand guiding it all it would fall apart. The plot is somewhat thin but the adventure is harrowing and fraught with danger. A pitch perfect cast helps bring a realistic tone to the proceedings. Well worth owning and watching again over the years. 9/10
Life of Pi 3D arrives on 3D Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of1.85:1 - In a word, stunning. The wholly enveloping 3D presentation drew me right onto the bought with Pi and Richard Parker. The clarity of the image and depth is the star here. There are a lot of visual standout moments but none that take the viewer out of the film, the 3D effect is subtle and tastefully used.
Color reproduction is perfect with rich blues, reds, and oranges. Skintones were spot on. Fine details such as dirt and grime on Pi's clothes and face, fur in animals, and close faces really shine. Black levels were deep but never to the point of crushing shadow details. This is without a doubt one of the elite 3D presentations on the market.9.5/10
Audio is provided by a DTS -HD Master Audio 7.1 track. - The stunning visuals are accompanied by a masterfully mixed audio presentation. Dialogue and narration was crisp and clean throughout. For the early aprt of the film there isn't much in the way of whiz bang effects but when the storm hits out at sea I was being crushed by a wall of sound that was powerful but crystal clear. LFE response was tight and deep. Surrounds are used to wonderful effect during several scenes as well as quieter ones. The Academy winning score by Mychael Danna is beautiful and well represented. 10/10
3D Exclusive Features
* Deleted Scenes (1080p, 13min) - Five interesting and extended scenes. Nothing that would have made the film worse or better really.
* VFX Progressions (1080p, 17min total) - A fun feature that I would watch just the once. Shows from plates, animatics, and final footage how the breathtaking visuals were achieved.
* Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2min12sec)
2D Special Features
* A Filmmaker's Epic Journey (1080p, 1hr03min) - A well paced four part making of that features every angle of the production accompanied by informative interviews with key cast and crew.
* A Remarkable Vision (1080p, 19min33sec) - Here we get an extensive look at the visual effects work.
* Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright (1080p, 8min35sec) - A featurette that focuses solely on the extraordinary creation of the tiger Richard Parker.
* Gallery (1080p, 7min28sec) - A gorgeous gallery of artwork created for the film.
* Storyboards (1080p, 12min22sec) - Storyboards for seven key visual scenes are available here.