IslandGuru Who payed the critics

SteinMo What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

Grimossfer Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Eric Stevenson This is a movie based on what some people consider to be the best anime of all time, second only to "Cowboy Bebop". Well, One-Punch Man's gotten a huge rating as well. Anyway, I would have given this a perfect score if not for one thing. I thought the CGI on Ryuk looked really fake. For a character that spends a lot of time in the movie, that can be distracting. This is still excellent. I have heard a lot about the "Death Note" franchise and from what I've heard, this is a very faithful adaptation. I wish I could consider this a great live-action adaptation, but as something based on a manga, it might not qualify. All the characters look just like their manga counterparts. The best aspect is probably how realistic it is. I can totally see this sort of outcome happening in real life if a magic book like the Death Note really did exist. It does make you wonder why he doesn't kill dictators. ***1/2

Andres-Camara I saw the American version and then I saw this version. I did not like the American one, but I like it less. This does not raise or the moral issues raised by the American. This one has a worse script, gives things for known and explains very badly others like the rules. Also towards the end begins to explain everything that happens with what bores.It's a movie with a very Japanese tempo, everything is slow, the actors respond slowly and that makes the movie desperate.He has no tension at any time. It has no intrigue, there is no fear. In this case the monster is worse done, or at least 3d is worse.Photography does not seem to exist. They make a movie for television. A light that is not of this type of films, is too white.The director does not know how to have the camera or in any way. He bores too much and does not know how to create tension.If you removed half of the characters, nothing would happen.

GavC543 I know this is a TV movie, but with the budget and distribution they acquired for this adaptation I expected much more. I felt the acting, without being too harsh, was almost laughable. The screenplay was also quite different to the manga/show. Camera-work/directing could have grabbed the viewers attention if it experimented more with visually stimulating ideas, also lack of creative sound.Pros: Animation was quite good. It was the main reason I came to watch it in the first place. Although, it was obvious at times it was done in post which very much takes away from viewing experience. I also liked the sets/locations chosen in the relevant scenes. Just needed more umph in every sense!!Because I love the show/manga I will be generous, although I felt it was very much average.6/10

Gabriel Teixeira A live-action adaptation of the anime/manga 'Death Note' is not something too far-fetched. Unlike 'Dragon Ball' or 'Saint Seiya', 'Death Note' is not flashy or fight-based, being much easier to be re-enacted with real people instead of drawn ones.The story follows Light Yagami, a genius teenager who finds a Death Note: a notebook used by Shinigamis ('death gods') with the power to kill people whose name are written on it. Deciding to use the book to kill all criminals in the world and create an utopia, he ends up at odds with L, the world's greatest detective, who is tasked with finding the 'Kira' and bring him to justice.The premise is rather strange and might sound silly, but it actually develops smartly and creates many thought-provoking points for reflexion. The anime/manga is possibly one of the best ones out there, and the confrontations between Light's and L's views create a splendid philosophical discussion on the nature of good/evil. Is Light right to kill others like he is doing? To have such a power over others lives, how easy is it to cross the line of good and evil? Is there such a line at all? This film covers the first half of the story. As such, it is obviously convoluted and some of the side-plots are changed/discarded so as to keep the story's flow. The actors are good; in special, Ken'ichi Matsuyama is brilliant as L and manages to copy his mannerisms with perfection. Tatsuya Fujiwara also makes a worthwhile Light. Ryuuk, the Shinigami who gives Light the Death Note, is also present through a good use of special effects. The soundtrack is good at times too.This is definitely worth a look for 'Death Note' fans, and possibly even for those with no previous knowledge. There are some deviations from the original story, true, but nothing that hinders the quality. A nice touch was having Light read 'Beyond Good and Evil' in one scene, a perfect choice for him.