I read The Life of Pi a long while ago, and while I loved the pictures it drew in my mind it was nothing compared to the 3D extravaganza I witnessed when I watched it. The tiger’s paw seems to come right at you in the theatre, while the jump of the whale in the phosphorescence was breathtaking. 3D is the way to go with this film, which is probably why the Empire theatres didn’t show it much in the regular format.

I put on the 3D glasses and waited not knowing what to expect. Would I feel nauseous? Would I become dizzy and have to leave the theatre? None of it, it made me feel a part of the film which I suspect more and more will be the case in the future. Seats that tremble, or pitch, perhaps even one day smells. other than popcorn. Uh, back to the film. I did enjoy it, a boy’s adventure at sea with a tiger to keep him company, and to keep him alive. Seems nonsensical to the reader that a tiger continually trying to attack Pi would keep him alive, but it kept his mind from drifting as he himself drifted in a shipwreck for months. The larger themes of God, evil, the nature of life, and animals’ souls I’ll leave to the viewer when she sees the film. I loved it, it wasn’t the least bombastic, for all those themes; it wasn’t even particularly difficult. Much more than the book, it was entertaining, which is Hollywood, after all.

-Laurie Schut