Pi
User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40

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  1. Bikerjames
    May 27, 2012
    8
    This is one of those atmospheric, creepy movies that grabs you and doesn't let go. I seem to love (The Wrestler, Pi) or hate (Black Swan, The Fountain) Aronofsky's films, but admire the visuals even in the ones I don't like. I always look forward to seeing his next film, and I can't say that about every director. The lead in this film, Sean Gullette, is excellent, as is the rest of the cast. I really liked the camera work and LOVED the soundtrack with the creepy noises throughout. The story, how everything in the universe can be explained by mathematics was intriguing. I really enjoyed the film and would watch it again.… Expand
  2. Nrich46
    Jul 16, 2011
    6
    High contrast black and white film, effective and innovative camerawork, and well done editing make Pi an enjoyable experience. The plot, the barely connected math terms, the mediocre acting, and (at times) laughable dialogue take off some major points for the promising director Aronofsky.
  3. bertobellamy
    Nov 7, 2010
    9
    Pi has an strange and stressful atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, this is an unique accomplishment done only by Aronosky. He has the ability to maintain us worried all the time during almost all the movie. Here, we can see his first famous hip-hop montage and the use of the snorricam. Flirting with cyberpunk over moments, Pi combines thriller with religious and cosmic themes and the dangerous outcome if discovered by a sole individual. Shot in black and white and with an intense score by Mansell, Pi is really an excellent piece of art.… Expand
  4. Paxster
    Oct 6, 2010
    3
    A low budget film shot in grainy,melancholy black and white with international implications to do with the stock market? It simply does not work for me. The religious element as well? This film went straight over my head!
  5. AmanA.
    Mar 15, 2007
    8
    Interesting and thought provoking movie... slightly disturbing.. but a fun watch.
  6. DanielC.
    Jul 11, 2006
    10
    Confusing Plot? Maybe, but repeat viewings are very enjoyable. The sound effects and the drum & bass soundtrack are completely awesome. The filming was so very well done. Utterly unique. We see the simplicity of the circle and the maddening complexity of Pi - 3.141 off in to infinity.
  7. SaTaN
    Jul 8, 2006
    10
    I love this movie! It is truly a work of art.
  8. JonhF.
    Mar 17, 2006
    8
    Very good movie. The script was well written and complex, and made this a very insightful character study. The acting was solid, and the directing was, well, gritty, but I mean that in a good way.
  9. DylanB.
    Feb 8, 2006
    8
    This a most entertaining and dynamic film, beautifully use of chairoscuro lighting in the shots with a plot which commands ones interest throughout! Though I find in places that it is poorly researched and contains minor flaws in factuality, causality and continuity.
  10. ErwinK.
    Dec 13, 2005
    2
    I found this movie thouroughly pretentious in its black and white photography and pseudo-cyber-punk babble. But worse was the fact that it had zero plot or story behind it, which totally bored me. Also coming from a maths background, I would have liked to know more about this pi number and how it related to the way the world works. The epiphonies the main character went through meant nothing for me. It was all this prentious drivel of staring at the spiral in a sea shell, and all this idiotic Jewish symbolism. Totally random, jarring, and irritating. In "the making of" bit I couldn't believe the film makers brainstormed 8 months(!) to come up with the script.… Expand
  11. BenA.
    Mar 5, 2004
    5
    This movie is overrated. Not bad, but overratted. It went in unfortunate directions. Arinofsky made some disagreeable decisions.
  12. NinjaMafia
    Feb 16, 2004
    9
    Smart, clever, disturbing. All are words that can define this modern day classic of chaos. A math genius has spent years upon years of trying to find a pattern in the stock market. However, corrupt journalists, and a psycopathic cult want him for their own needs. The journalists want the stock market pattern so that they could have ultimate power over it. The cult, while not so much of a cult as a crazed jewish following, beleive that he can find out Gods true name. The film was brialliantly shot in black and white. Although, there were some scenes that were extremely confusing because of the constant rocking camera. The ending is shocking. I would be skeptical if people didn't do this in his situation. Not a perfect film by all means. There were some things that were too confusing and probably would take repeated viewings to undersatnd. Overall, this movie seems to be extremely underated and must be seen by all who can stand a confusing plot.… Expand
  13. RegisteredIndependentJoel
    Sep 26, 2003
    9
    Smart, edgy, paranoid and interesting, unlike any other movie I've ever seen. The ending is a bit of a letdown, which is the only reason I don't give it a 10. Highly recommended.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Bruce Diones
    70
    Aronofsky's delirious, Kafkaesque writing and imaginatively distorted camerawork don't quite add up, but it's fascinating, hallucinogenic film work.
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  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Rita Kempley
    60
    In the end, it's primarily a brain teaser, obtuse and ultimately limited in its emotional impact.
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  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    90
    It is a brilliant intellectual adventure that fans of bold independent filmmaking will want to experience, even though the ending is something of a letdown.
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