Life of Pi isn't exactly "dull" or "nondescript" but it's also not the sort of film score that grabs you by the lapels. Pretty much the only cues in there that really have much of an impact in the film are "Tsimtsum" and "God Storm"...the rest is pleasant, ethnically-appropriate stuff that tends to blend into the background of the film (and, when I listen to it, on album too!). Even Gravity had greater impact in context.

In terms of Oscar winners I'd put it in the same sort of category as Atonement or Finding Neverland or Grand Budapest Hotel...nice music, nothing to complain about, but is it really the best of its year? Or even close? I think not.