All around the world criminals are having heart attacks and dying. Coincidence or divine justice? The world soon realize that someone is punishing criminals and the mysterious avenger is popularly called Kira. In truth Kira is Yagami Light, a brilliant Japanese high-school student, who accidentally discovered Death Note, a God of Death's notebook. With it Light can kill anyone he pleases, as long as he knows their name and faces. But soon the world's greatest detective, L, is on his trail and the battle of two brilliant minds begins.
So as far as the plot goes, "Death Note movie", and its second part "the Last Name", stay very faithful to the original manga their based on, which is a wonderfully written, exciting story. The most notable change in the first movie is that Light has a girlfriend, Shiori, who is a new character. This however doesn't much ruin the story but actually makes it more interesting to watch, as Shiori doesn't approve Kira's killings and therefore is against Light. The ending of the movie, also a big change, actually makes Light appear as more sinister and cold hearted than before.
The actors are, overall, doing a good job. Tatsuya Fujiwara, who is best remembered from "Battle Royal" film, makes a good performance as Light, the brilliant young man who wants to make world a better place, but slowly starts to loose himself in his own ideals. L is played by relatively unknown Ken'ichi Matsuyama, who brings the cool, eccentric detective from manga pages alive. His performance is wonderful to watch, as he completely becomes L with all of his movements. He pretty much steals the show from Fujiwara. Takeshi Kaga makes a believable performance as Light's father, Inspector Yagami, who is unknowingly hunting down his own son. Also Yu Kashii, as Light's girlfriend Shiori, and Asaka Seto, as vengeful Naomi Misora, makes good supporting roles. And of course the bored God of Death Ryuk is voiced by wonderful Shido Nakamura, who also voiced Ryuk in anime series of "Death Note".
Sadly the film is not without falls. The story telling is sometimes slow and may make a viewer loose their interest. Even though movie follows original manga closely it just doesn't have the same exciting thrill in it. Also, the tense atmosphere between police and L seems to be lost somewhere. I was also disappointed of how the other police investigators, like Matsuda, have become just minor characters that occasionally say something. And they could have done a better job with creating Ryuk, who looks rather ridiculous. Just taking him from manga illustrations and adding to film doesn't work.
Still, "Death Note" movie is worth watching, especially if you liked manga or anime series, and the cliffy ending definitely makes one want to see the second part also. Over all, an enjoyable film.
So as far as the plot goes, "Death Note movie", and its second part "the Last Name", stay very faithful to the original manga their based on, which is a wonderfully written, exciting story. The most notable change in the first movie is that Light has a girlfriend, Shiori, who is a new character. This however doesn't much ruin the story but actually makes it more interesting to watch, as Shiori doesn't approve Kira's killings and therefore is against Light. The ending of the movie, also a big change, actually makes Light appear as more sinister and cold hearted than before.
The actors are, overall, doing a good job. Tatsuya Fujiwara, who is best remembered from "Battle Royal" film, makes a good performance as Light, the brilliant young man who wants to make world a better place, but slowly starts to loose himself in his own ideals. L is played by relatively unknown Ken'ichi Matsuyama, who brings the cool, eccentric detective from manga pages alive. His performance is wonderful to watch, as he completely becomes L with all of his movements. He pretty much steals the show from Fujiwara. Takeshi Kaga makes a believable performance as Light's father, Inspector Yagami, who is unknowingly hunting down his own son. Also Yu Kashii, as Light's girlfriend Shiori, and Asaka Seto, as vengeful Naomi Misora, makes good supporting roles. And of course the bored God of Death Ryuk is voiced by wonderful Shido Nakamura, who also voiced Ryuk in anime series of "Death Note".
Sadly the film is not without falls. The story telling is sometimes slow and may make a viewer loose their interest. Even though movie follows original manga closely it just doesn't have the same exciting thrill in it. Also, the tense atmosphere between police and L seems to be lost somewhere. I was also disappointed of how the other police investigators, like Matsuda, have become just minor characters that occasionally say something. And they could have done a better job with creating Ryuk, who looks rather ridiculous. Just taking him from manga illustrations and adding to film doesn't work.
Still, "Death Note" movie is worth watching, especially if you liked manga or anime series, and the cliffy ending definitely makes one want to see the second part also. Over all, an enjoyable film.