Today, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing Life of Pi on Blu-ray & DVD.  After his family sells their zoo in India and the ship they are travelling on sinks during a storm, the teenaged Pi (Suraj Sharma) finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with a large Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, with only their faith to keep each other alive.

Ang Lee won Best Director for Life of Pi, and the fearlessness of his work shines through in the visuals of the film.  The cinematography is stunning throughout, and equally impressive is the breathtaking animation of the tiger.  The bond that forms between Pi and Richard Parker is brought to life in a spectacular way, as the film reaches a spiritually confounding conclusion that is sure to leave you talking.  This is a visually stunning film that is absolutely worth seeing and takes on even deeper meaning after a second viewing.

Last month, Life of Pi deservingly won four of the eleven Academy Awards for which it was nominated, including Best Director (Ang Lee), Best Original Score (Mychael Danna), Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.  Please read my initial thoughts on the film right here.

The Blu-ray includes the 63 minute “making of” documentary A Filmmaker’s Epic Journey, a couple of other featurettes as well as an art gallery and storyboards.  The film is also available to buy in 3D.

Life of Pi is 123 minutes and rated PG.

-John C.