A Stranded Boy and His Bengal Tiger

Life of Pi — the adaptation of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel of the same title, directed by the masterful Ang Lee, and starring newcomer Suraj Sharma. The film has all the right components for success. This morning 20th Century Fox released the first trailer for this visually stunning film, which takes the colorful, dreamlike design seen in films like Lovely Bones, and attaches it to a world where nearly anything is possible.

The film received waves of praise when Fox showed 10 minutes of unpolished footage to the folks at CinemaCon. With shaky effects and sound, the studio went ahead let people have it. The response? Oscar talk of what could be one the year’s biggest contenders. Mind you this occurred back in April of this year. Here’s what Anthony Breznican of Entertainment Weekly tweeted:

“Ok, so Ang Lee’s ‘Life of Pi’ will be getting a best picture Oscar nomination. The footage screened at #CinemaCon could claim one for short!”

The success of the film hasn’t come without its challenges. The big budgeted Life of Pi has spent years in and out of development as several different directors were announced to helm the film, to only back out several months later. Ang Lee’s efforts in turning this beloved book into a visual masterpiece won’t go unnoticed. Life of Pi tells the story of an Indian zookeeper’s shipwrecked son Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma). Who better to keep him company than a 450-pound bengal tiger. Together the two sail the Pacific Ocean alone and come across all sorts of adventures. From the premise, one can see why the film presents such a challenge. But Lee’s a master at what he does; the Academy Award winning director also helmed Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Sense and Sensibility. By the looks of it, Life of Pi could be another success.

Hitting theaters, December 21st, Life of Pi will have to hold its own against the season’s heavy hitters — The Great Gatsby, Django Unchained, Les Miserables, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and Jack Reacher. Surprisingly, Life of Pi doesn’t have any competition within its genre during the month of December. And the fact that the film transcends all age barriers will work in its favor; Life of Pi is a film anyone of any age can enjoy.

Check out the trailer below and let us know your thoughts. Have you added this to your “Must-see” list?

‘Life of Pi’ Movie Trailer