Death Note (Live Action)
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Movie Reviews of Death Note (Live Action)
Movie Review: 4 ½ Stars: The Human Whose Name is written in this Notebook will Die..
Summary: 5 Stars
Death Note is based on the popular manga (Japanese Comic) and loosely based on the anime series of the same name. I've never read the comic but I saw the anime series on imported dvd, and I have to say the Live-action version, Death Note and Death Note the Last Name does the franchise justice. This series is one of the best I've seen from Japan in a while. I will review both films because one movie while phenomenal and definitely can stand on its own, the story is very much linked together.
Plot synopsis loosely derived from the DVD cover:
In "Death Note", Tatsuya Fujiwara plays the role of Light Yagami, a genius law student who picks up the "Death Note" and uses it to "cleanse" the world of evil. Upholding justice obsesses him and he envisions himself as a god in the crime-less utopia he plans to create. As criminals continue to die in unexplainable ways, people start saying that it must be the work of a "messiah", of whom they call Kira. L, played by Kenichi Matsuyama, works for the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO) and is deployed to solve the Kira mystery.
In "Death Note 2: The Last Name", the story continues as Light devises a plan to be part of the Kira Task Force headed by L. While the two geniuses are busy dealing with each other, a second Death Note drops into Earth. Rem, a Shinigami (Death God), brings the second notebook and Misa Amane (Erika Toda), a pop star and Kira worshipper, comes into possession of it. Becoming a Kira herself, she accepts the offer to have the 'Eyes of the Death' which will enable her to know the name of any person without being told.
As Misa and Light work together to get rid of L, a new character, Kiyomi Takada (Nana Katase), comes into the picture as the third Kira. With the disclosure of the new rules of the Death Note, the mystery becomes more complex, with a satisfying storyline and a completely unpredictable finale.
That's just scratching the surface, as Light continues to experiment with the capabilities of the book, as well as to internalize all the rules to call upon some serious manipulation of the rules to work to his advantage. Power corrupts absolutely--What would a human being do with the power of life and death?
Man has no right to play GOD.
This film reflects why imperfect human beings should not hold such power, men are fallible, vulnerable to desires and vanity. You see an almost accurate telling of one person's corruption and descent into madness, and how a genius can seem stupid. It also tries to reflect on the different views of a society and how a small "nudge" in the wrong (or right)direction by a government or individual can affect how things are seen by its people. The issue of capital punishment is also explored in both films. Some may say that the film also contains a social commentary.
The battle of wits between L and Light Yagami is definitely one to watch; as the two geniuses struggle to stay one step ahead of the other. It is rather curious that such a complex match-up of intelligence also proves that the two are actually two sides of the same coin but on opposing sides. L is pretty much a charming if eccentric presence as the sugar-loving detective. I didn't know that sugar does provide energy for the brain until I observed him gulp down significant amounts of candy and dessert. The thing that proves Light Yagami quite dangerous is the fact that he believes that he is doing the right thing and whatever steps he has taken may seem cruel, it is justified. When one believes his cause his just, one becomes more determined than the common opponent.
Death Note is smart storytelling, the plot twists and thrills are non-stop, each scene has a relevance to the next. The thrills/suspense are more CEREBRAL than visual with a very solid structure. The direction by Shusuke Kaneko effectively promotes intense energy and never lets up on the suspense, further accentuated by its twists and turns. Upon watching these two films, keep in mind that this is Fantasy-horror, the "Death Gods" have that manga/anime look, they may have that cartoonish look, but they look almost exactly like in the comic. Story-wise, it is pretty intense, it is genre-busting, battle of wits thriller that involves the supernatural world. (Although some anime films do surpass other films in terms of plot) I will stop here, since with this film, the less you know, the better it would be.
Death Note 1 & 2 really caught my attention. This is intelligent storytelling and for the most part, kept me on the edge of my seat. It made a good transition from comic to film. The two dvds are very much worth every penny!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [4 ½ Stars]
These two films have been selected at the 2007 New York film festival.
Movie Review: Death Note
Summary: 5 Stars
After hacking into the police database, a young law student is horrified to see that the legal system is failing, and its criminals are being released without charge. Angered, he sets out to confront the criminals himself, but instead, he finds a mysterious notebook lying in the street: the Death Note. Amongst other rules, the book claims that any person whose name is written within its pages will be struck dead in seconds. Light is amused with the idea, and writes down the name of a murderer he saw on the television before going to sleep. The next day, Light awakens to the news that the same man was discovered dead from a heart attack. Realizing that he has the power of the gods in his hands, Light sets out to cleanse the world of evil using the book, but his ego quickly consumes him, and he begins killing anyone that threatens to oppose him. Now, a resourceful computer hacker that goes by the name of "L" has teamed with the police in order to expose the wayward vigilante and bring him to justice.
Based on the popular Japanese manga of the same name, DEATH NOTE is a high-powered parable that demonstrates how absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is told through an exciting murder mystery where there is no clear hero or villain. Light Yagami is noble at heart, but by superseding the court system and acting as judge, jury, and executioner, he has become that which he hates. L, on the other hand, seems to have the same fundamental beliefs in justice, but his true motives and intentions are never revealed in this first act. The deep philosophical questions that are raised by the Death Note reflect on society's views of good and evil, justice and immorality.
Tatsuya Fujiwara, who is best known for his lead in BATTLE ROYALE, captures the duality of Light's character perfectly. He is sincere in his nobility, but his ego prevents him from giving up his new found powers since he has become consumed with winning the battle of wits against L. This causes him to compromise his own ethics by killing the innocent police detectives that have gotten too close to the truth. Kenichi Matsuyama plays opposite of Fujiwara as L, whose odd appearance and awkward mannerisms make him a strange but interesting choice as the supposed hero. Each of their intricately-laid traps and foiled attempts to draw one another out into the open drives the mystery and suspense as they enter into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Shusuke Kaneko has done an excellent job adapting the popular series on to the big screen, allowing DEATH NOTE to take #1 in the box offices in Japan upon its release and making it one of the strongest Japanese exports in years.
-Carl Manes
I Like Horror Movies
Movie Review: Whose name would you write?,
Summary: 5 Stars
"Death Note" was a much better flick than I was expecting. It was a huge hit in Japan, and because I had never read the original manga, I had avoided it thinking I wouldn't get the entire story. My loss, as it turns out.
The cat-and-mouse detective game mixed with the fantasy elements of the gods of death and their magical books makes for an interesting story. The two main characters, "L" and Light, are an intense duo, and like the best of this genre of film it is hard to decide who to root for. Light (Tatsuya Fujiwara, "Battle Royale"), known by the general public as the hero/murderer "Killer", is the holder of the Death Note, and has the power to kill anyone on Earth just by writing their name. A hardcore and brilliant student of criminal justice, he uses his power to erase the vermin of the world, serial killers, child rapists and gangsters. For the most part, his actions are praised, but he is still a murderer in the eyes of the law, and needs to be brought down. On his side is the Ryuuk, a Japanese god of death who gave Light the Death Note in order to keep himself entertained. Hunting him down in "L" (Ken'ichi Matsuyama, "Linda,Linda, Linda"), a young, oddball genius with a penchant for sweets who keeps his name hidden in order to protect himself from the powers of the Death Note. L hunts Light, and Light hunts L, and it is never clear who is the person a step ahead, and who is the fly falling into the web.
Director Shusuke Kaneko, who cut his teeth on Godzilla, Gamera and Ultraman flicks, managed to keep the story close enough to the manga to please the fans while making it complete enough that newcomers don't feel that they are only getting a part of the picture. The CG animated Ryuuk stands out at first, but soon becomes a natural part of the storyline, and Kaneko's familiarity with the special effects learned from the monster films did him good service. All of the actors do a great job, particularly Fujiwara and Matsuyama as L and Light, who carry the movie on the strength of their performances.
"Death Note" was a great enough film that it had me running to pick up the sequel, which actually makes a single film "Kill Bill"-style, as well as checking out the manga and the spin-off flick "L:Change the World". All of them are high quality, and all of them are recommended.
Movie Review: A Worthy Live Action Version of the Manga/Anime Story of the Notebook Wielding Vigilante and His Nemesis Detective
Summary: 5 Stars
I totally was expecting a subpar adaptation of the excellent anime series (first manga) DEATH NOTE, which, for those unfamiliar with the storyline, involves the vigilante-justice use of a death god's notebook by a brilliant student, and his self-corruption while using it as he tries to evade justice in the hounding form of a sugar-addict Gothy detective genius.
The anime was loads of fun, with cool music and excellent visuals. The manga was fun. And, hoorah, the film is terrific. I was not disappointed (except for the fact that there is an especially spoiled boy quality in the face/manner of the actor who plays Light Yagami, the death note wielder, that I found particularly annoying in spots, and effective in others.)
The story is told across two DVDs (this is the first part of the total story, which deviates in places from the other tellings). This one shows how Light Yagami obtains the notebook from the death god (shinigami) Ryuk (or Ryuuk or Ryuku, as I've seen various spellings). Ryuk is a blast to look at in all the media, and works really well in the film while still retaining his weirdness (especially the face). REM is also effectively rendered, btw, in the second dvd/flick. The young actor who portrays L is delightful in his portrayal of the unusual mannerismss and broody but low-key playful demeanor of the brilliant (and somewhat ruthless) detective who hides his name from Light. Were I a teen, I'd have a massive-crazy crush on him and his ruminative, sweets-loving self. As a middle-aged woman, I allow myself a minor crush. :)
The action moves at a good pace and the increasingly tense challenges that L and Light offer to each other are fun to watch--even knowing where the story goes. The two young actors work well against each other.
Be sure to see the conclusion in the second flick. It's equally enjoyable and resolves beautifully (and differently from the anime). I ordered the third live-action film (not part of the original storyline) just to see L again, despite the less than wonderful reviews. You can probably skip the third, but do not miss this one and the follow-up, DEATH NOTE II: The Last Word. I do not think you will be disappointed, be you a fan of the characters/story or a total newbie to Death Note.
Mir
Movie Review: I DIDNT REALLY KNOW WHAT TO 5 Stars
since I never seen the anime show, I only read reviews and based my buying decision on reviewers words. I am glad that I bought this dvd and am not disappointed in anyway what so ever with it. Light aka Kira comes across the Death Note one day while walking, already tired of how the justice system is he starts to take matters into his own hands as he soon finds out that anybodies name he writes in the book will die of a heart attack within 40 seconds as long as he knows what they look like. Soon he is killing criminals all over the world and the people start to rally behind him and his vigilante justice, but the FBI soon realize that all these people are some how connected due to the fact that so many people in such a little time are dying of heart attacks. Soon a mysterious detective by the name of L comes along and aids the FBI in tracking the growing legend Kira. What follows is a very well put together game of cat and mouse between Kira and L, it was so good it had me like "DAMNNNNNN!!" I didn't expect it to be that good. I can't wait to get my copy of Death Note 2 because at the end of Death Note - ATTENTION A SPOILER ALERT - L does not find out that Light is Kira and unknowingly invites him into his Kira finding task force. Also out of nowhere another Death Note is dropped and a young girl ends up with it so really who knows what could happen. This movie surpassed any expectations I had for it and then some, this will end up in my all time favorite movie list.