Life of Pi ( Mzo 12 USA)

[Lost hero]

Review



Movie 4.0
Video 4.5
3D 5.0
Audio 5.0
Extras 4.0
Overall 4.5

If you're one of those "all 3D is gimmicky" naysayers—and I certainly was for a while—I challenge you to decry the artistry with which Ang Lee and his team have applied the extra dimensionality to Life of Pi. This is one of those rare films where the 3D really does add to the experience in an impactful and engaging way, and if you own a 3D-capable television, this is certainly one of the best discs available for demoing the tech. For starters, clarity and color are practically indistinguishable from the 2D version, so you're not sacrificing much of anything there. Better yet, the application of depth and presence is never in and of itself distracting; it's very subtle and natural in the way it envelopes you. The rippling waves, the candles on the river during the Vishnu ceremony, Pi floating underwater watching the ship sink into the depths, the flying fish madly flapping in the air around the lifeboat—there are so many showpiece moments, but none of them scream out obtrusively, "Hey, look! I'm in 3D!" As in Prometheus, some of the best uses are the simplest, like seeing the characters just move through the frame in the middle distance, the foreground almost tangible and the background realistically dropping back. It just works.

After scoring four Academy Awards last month, Life of Pi is sure to attract lots of attention on home video, and it deserves it. While it may not be the life-changing experience it wants to be, it is at least thought-provoking and sure to generate some post-viewing discussion, particularly if you watch it with others of differing worldviews. Besides that, it's simply gorgeous to behold and probably the best adaptation we could've asked for from a book previously considered "unfilmable." 20th Century Fox's Blu-ray release does justice to the film's eye-candy visuals—particularly if you go for the 3D version—and the disc includes a wealth of special features, including a terrific hour-long making-of documentary. Highly recommended!

la quiero ya!!!