Director Ang Lee is a supreme storyteller, and his latest film, “Life of Pi,” is a brilliant demonstration of that fact. It combines high adventure and challenge with a personal spiritual journey in a way few films have ever been able to accomplish. Based on the world-famous best-selling novel of the same title, Ang Lee’s use of 3-D drive’s the movie’s level of imagery in a manner that is the most impressive and thought-provoking I have ever seen.

“Life of Pi” is the story of a young Indian boy who, through a very clever process, has earned his nickname of Pi. He and his family own a small zoo in Pondichery, India, but are forced to book passage on a freighter to move the family and the zoo animals to Canada for economic reasons.

On the trip, the ship and all but the boy and a tiger  go down at sea in a terrible storm. Thus begins the saga of the young teenager’s 277 days at sea in a life boat with a Bengal tiger. The tiger’s name is Richard Parker, a name he gained because of a mix-up in some paperwork.

The boy is played by Suraj Sharma, who is deserving of an Academy Award nomination for his work in this film.

On the surface, “Life of Pi” might sound like a somewhat confining story, but it is anything but that. Ang Lee’s use of 3-D technology might just be the best ever done. The various levels of the story all intertwine in a way that asks many questions about the meaning of life, the nature of the universe and the relationship between man and animal. The story is told in a kind of narrative format that provides great balance.

“Life of Pi” may easily be the best motion picture of 2012. It is unlike anything you have ever seen before. It transports the viewer into the story in a way that is captivating and memorable. You will see things you have never seen before and experience some of nature’s mysteries in a way you will never forget.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454876/