Student Film Reviews

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1. Lawrence Gleeson 01.25.13 / 11am

   I enjoyed the film too. I don’t feel, in my opinion, it’s the best film of the year – a top 10. The special effects were well done creating an otherworldly feel and it supported the fantastical element to Pi’s experience. Deserving of recognition and wholeheartedly recommended.
2. Laura Wyatt 01.25.13 / 11am

   I appreciate your take on Life of Pi and I agree with you that it is a superior film. I am not sure I agree with you about the graphics. I was distracted by the graphics as they were so crisp and digital. You also fail to mention that Richard Parker is a tiger. That is an important point, although you may not have wanted to tell the viewer. I would also have liked for you to talk about the ending and take a stand on which story you believe.
3. {{ SuKi }} Susan Harvey 01.25.13 / 11am

   Well written Kathleen. I have not yet seen The Life of Pi, and your write up definitely intrigues me. I am looking forward to seeing this film. I am especially interested in observing the enhancement of the visuals though out the film as his appreciation grows. I can relate to this in my own life.
4. B.J. Sepulvado 01.28.13 / 6am

   I found the film at first actively visually engaging, it then became uninteresting to me. The animal human interplay was capturing, though I do not agree it was a “best of year ” film. I left appreciating the unique style concept, its implement process did not sustain my interest.
5. Reyes Munoz 01.28.13 / 9am

   I agree, the The Life of Pi was enjoyable and entertaining; full of fantastic visuals that are pleasing to the eyes. The story was interesting and emotionally engaging while the ending was captivating. In an era full of cliche endings, The Life of Pi manages to stand alone from the rest by presenting a unique surprise ending.
6. Sherry Wetzel 02.04.13 / 5pm

   This was a very thorough and detailed explanation of the film. I had forgotten the origin of Pi’s name and why he had changed it. I think the only thing not elaborated on was the fact that Richard Parker was a Bengal tiger and Pi had to find a way to exist in the middle of the ocean ‘off’ of the lifeboat. I agree with you Kathleen that the visuals and cinematography in the film were incredible. Some of the shots in the film challenge the jaw dropping footage seen in the ‘Planet Earth’ film collection. Some of the shots of the animals are a bit on the side of looking more like computer graphics but I still applaud modern CG animators for getting yet another step closer to blending that line. My favorite part of the entire film was the very end, when Pi and RIchard Parker split ways. This ending caused a huge controversy amongst the viewers that I have spoken with towards their overall opinion of the movie. It seems those that were looking for the typical ‘glamorization’ of Hollywood film were disappointed. However, this was the part that made me appreciate the film the most. They depicted the real, natural, raw truth in relationship between man and wild tiger.
7. Stephanie Hoholt 03.18.13 / 9pm

   Life of Pi is one of my favorite movies. It was so stunning to me as well. I had a really bad expectation towards this film, because I had only seen the poster at the cinemas that represented a boy and a tiger. It seemed way too odd for me to even consider watching it. After the many good reviews I decided to go watch it and it was one of the best films I have ever watched. The poster on the wall now made sense to me. I loved the storyline and how it doesn’t have a traditional Hollywood ending. It ends realistically with the main character Pi being a human and unable to completely connect with the wild tiger. I also liked how it was visually beautiful and humorous.
8. Mina Unemoto 03.22.13 / 12pm

   I also enjoyed watching this film. Before watching it, I was afraid it might considerably boring movie for two hours by a tiger and a boy getting into a boat. However it was the interesting movie that there was not such a worry at all, and a highlight came in sequence one after another. It is said that a religion is strong and though the experience of mystical occurrences surely happen, but the content is not push a doctrine of the specific religion. The feeling of strain that the tiger bring is great and is never congenial and the tiger tries to eat him many time, but will not such an existence and the situation that must coexist be the same as the present world?
9. Sarah Gosselin 05.03.13 / 1am

   I absolutely loved this movie! I think it was a really interesting take on a young boy turning into a man not only because his loss of innocence through losing his family, but through the hardships of trying to stay alive. I totally agree that it was one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen, you didn’t even need 3d glasses! No wonder it won the awards that it did. I think it is interesting how Pi never really lost faith in God, although he did show his frustrations at points. Also, it was amazing that he was doing everything he could to keep Richard Parker alive despite the fact that he had tried to eat him! It just shows how wonderful of a person Pi as a character is, along with his longing for company on his sad journey. All in all, it was a wonderful movie and I know I will be showing it to my kids one day.
10. Raz Naor 07.17.13 / 9pm

    After “Avatar,” this movie would definitely be second on my list of most visually stunning 3D movies. As i read your review, pictures of the scenes you described flashed in my head and made me realize how amazing these visuals really were. Although Pi grows as a person through his journey, I felt that Richard Parker was undergoing a bigger change. He was in a habitat where he was extremely uncomfortable, the ocean. This exposed him to animals he never knew existed like the sharks in the film. Though I was happy to see that he made it to the jungle, I was saddened to think that Pi may never get to encounter Richard Parker ever again.
11. Brett Sesma 07.19.13 / 5pm

    This was a remarkable film, but I do not agree that it was the best film of the year. It was a great film, and the way that CGI was used in the film was just remarkable. Everything looked so real, and that was really impressive to me. I was interested the whole way through, and the movie lived up to the hype.
12. Josh Feldman 07.26.13 / 5pm

    I have not seen Life of Pi yet, but the story and setting seems very interesting. I was a bit confused on the story and setting from the trailers, but this clears it all up for me. I definitely am looking forward to seeing this film, and to see Pi develop as a character, and how that changes the things surrounding him.
13. Khachik Mkrtchyan 09.08.13 / 8pm

    Loved the movie to the bits. Such a great story, which was told in such great manner. Life of Pi proves that good story can be told even if the movie is 80% of pure CGI. Sometimes you don’t need an unbelievable locations to tell a good story. Also, most people don’t realize how hard can acting be behind blue or green screen, and even harder if you are the main, and only character in most of the part of the movie. Same applies to directing, and I think Ang Lee did a phenomenal job. This movie also pushes all the boundaries of CGI work, and shows how much power it has.
14. David Wright 10.18.13 / 11pm

    I enjoyed your take on Life of Pi, and wonder how you feel about the ending of the film, how its authenticity is still up in the air to our interpretation of the events. Although this film was highly regarded as a visual masterpiece, there is also a very touching story that added a second layer to its quality. Perhaps picture of the year is a little out of the question for this film, but still it had some innovative qualities that I feel picture of the year should possess. Overall well acted by its lead character, always entertaining, and always unpredictable Life of Pi was an entertaining film across the board.
15. Marilyn Rodriguez 11.03.13 / 10pm

    Life of Pi, a movie that focused greatly on the intensity of the visual aspect of the film paired itself perfectly with the grave and interesting story of Pi’s quest to survive. The movie also closely followed the book, which in my opinion made the movie all the more enticing. All in all, the ending, a movie cliffhanger, which leaves the audience questioning its truthfulness, gives the movie a second and more interesting layer of reality and the realm of fantasy. I agree with Kathleen’s last paragraph of her review. This film did a full circle with the script and truly stayed true to the book. There were some minor changes and things missing, but I agree that it was an inspirational film.
16. Robyn Malaya 11.17.13 / 2pm

    Thank you Kathleen Ambov for your admiring appreciation for Ang Lee’s film, Life of Pi. Similar to your review, I too enjoyed the superior graphics of the film which created a stunning visual for the audience. Lee does his best to stay true to the story, but despite the breathtaking 3D, I feel there are clear differences between the film and the novel. Specifically speaking, the ending which is consistent in both book and film, but the tones are divergent and can lead the audience to different conclusions. Overall, the heart of the film focuses on Pi’s sea journey which accomplishes the message of spiritual achievement. Life of Pi is a wonderful film and I will be watching it again.
17. segeveidan 02.15.14 / 7pm

    A very well written review, Kathleen Amboy, I enjoyed riding it and skimming through the rest of the attached comments. Life of Pi is a great movie and the lead actor; Suraj Sharma did a fantastic job playing the young Pi Patel. Although it is the oldest cliche ever, I just have to say it… “the book is way better”! I have read “Life of Pi” two years ago as a part of the curriculum for English 80 in SBCC. The main difference between the film and the book is the ambiguity of the reader regarding Richard Parker. Up until well inside the story line, it was never mentioned that Richard Parker is a Tiger, which I personally found very sophisticated and clever move by the author. However, the movie features many visual and auditory aspects that no book can cover. The personal courage and hope that Pi had, kept him alive and it was up to the viewer to determine whether Richard Parker was real or merely an imaginary creation in the mind of a scared little boy that was fighting for his life in the middle of the Pacific.
18. HelenaGreen 03.16.14 / 6pm

    I think this review is really good Kathleen. I think it is really great how you include the detail of the origins of Pi’s name. I think it echoes how the film is made up of a lot of spiritual meanings. I also thought the picture was brilliant, especially with the Tiger making it just so stunning. And even in the storm I felt the visuals were amazing. I think however the book is a lot better than the film, just because it gives much more depth to the story. The book has a lot of twist and turns that are really explored in the book and aren’t in the film. However, the film creates a visual enhancement of a story that sells itself. I think you have touched on the greatest point which is much more apparent in the book than the film, Pi appreciates ‘beauty in simple things’, he goes through such sadness but the film shows how he can so brilliantly and peacefully adapt to life.
19. Matilde McCallick 07.05.14 / 11pm

    I think the cinematography of the film is definitely it’s biggest draw-factor. It is indeed very surreal simply because it has to be, we are constantly being pulled in and out and through Pi’s mind as he recalls his story. We are taken through very long shots that panorama throughout the entire screen giving us a true feel for just how wide and expansive the ocean is. Waves crash down into the camera, underwater shots make it clear that the ocean will swallow you whole whether you’re a man of God or not. It is mirrored by the constellation scenes we see develop in Pi’s imagination. The glowing of the plants below and the stars above make it clear that all things in the movie are large. The world, Pi’s mind, he and Richard Parker’s will to survive. It was a lot like that of Avatar; both films focus on the overall aesthetic to give you a clear picture of the inside plot.
    And of course, it was a very beautiful film in which many tears were shed by yours truly. I would recommend it to anyone.
20. shuyu Ning 07.19.14 / 5pm

    Finally,I understood that these two main themes of the book: “that all life is interdependent, and that we live and breathe via belief.” But which one you will trust? If I were him, I will lose all hope of life. I do not know how many people know that,” what are you living for?” but there are many reasons for us to give up rather than to insist on. How many people could do as Pi when he is at lowest point. He is so helpless and hopeless at that time. He still has courage to catch fish and find water to keep alive.
21. Raymond Brown 07.21.18 / 9pm

    This film is probably one of my favorite films. I love everything about it. I have probably seen it a million times. I think it is great how much culture is in this movie and all the different types of animals are shown its amazing. I agree with you about the special effects in this movie. It is honestly outstanding everything from the animals that so life like to the oceans and sunsets that are absolutely amazing and beautiful. The way the writing enhances how amazing these visuals already are astounds me. This film in absolutely amazing everything from the story to the visuals. Great film.
22. cassidy cole 03.07.19 / 9pm

    Life of Pi is easily one of my favorite and most watched films. The visuals are absolutely stunning and captivating, each scene has the ability to mesmerize me more than the last. I am pleased to hear someone appreciates this film and the story that lines within. I enjoyed reading your review as I have never really payed too much attention about where Pi’s name originated, though I am a bit disappointed your review did not focus too much on Richard Parker and the essential role he played in the film. Richard Parker gave Pi the opportunity to not only have hope for himself in terms of survival, but the responsibility of keeping another life alive which in turn kept himself alive.
23. Jakob Quittner 03.01.20 / 6pm

    life of pie is my all time favorite film. I believe that the summary of the film was ok but was missing a lot of important detail. the most important detail it was missing of the true meaning of the animals on the life boat and who they truly are and what they stand for. I also believe that the review could have gone into a little more depth of pi and his story. the ending where he is beached is also not discussed of but is extremely important as it is where pi lets go of Peter Parker and what he stands for
24. Derek Valdez 01.19.21 / 3pm

    Life of Pi is an amazing film that includes outstanding visuals and animations to make scenes more intense. I agree with the author of this writing that this film produces some of the best visuals that grow as Pi grows. As Pi faces challenges throughout his life the director never fails to keep the audience intact that in fact the story is taking place in the past and that Pi is explaining the story to a Canadian writer. The director also does a great job of forging a protagonist and an antagonist. The protagonist being Pi and the antagonist being Pi’s struggle at sea. At least that is the way I see it. Pi is constantly being challenged while given the terrible circumstances that he is in. But, one could also say the antagonist is the tiger towards the beginning of the film. Towards the end though its a sure thing that Richard Parker and Pi had become friends. Overall when I think of this film I think of a child with the life of hardship making the most out of what he had and growing into a man, all while obtaining a best friend (Richard Parker).
25. Jacob Flores 03.02.22 / 10am

    The following film, The Life of Pi, the film follows as a young man is hit with trial after trial that seems impossible to get out of. The director does a great job of making the situations tense and feeling like Pi will not make it out of this alive. Being stranded with an animal that could kill you in a matter of seconds in by no means somethingg one lives through the story to tell. As the story progresses we see man and animal come together to work as a team to be able to survive. Here we see the significance of coexisting with other living creatures and how we must work together to get through this life.
26. Miles Marcum 03.17.24 / 4pm

    I agree with most of the components of this review. First, I think that the visuals in this movie were pretty incredible. I think this can be accredited to the camera techniques that were used by the director. For example, many of the close up shots of Pi in the boat help to convey emotion to the audience. The director also uses wide shots to show the audience how along pi is in the middle of the ocean which adds a whole other perspective to the movie.

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