Movie Review : Death Note

By
: Hendriadi Anugrah
Orientation
Death Note () is a series of live-action Japanese films released on February 9, 2008.
The movies are based on the Death Note manga (and later anime) series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi
Obata. The films primarily center on a university student who decides to rid the world of evil with the help of
a supernatural notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. The films were directed by Shusuke
Kaneko, produced by Nippon Television, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Japan.
Interpretative Recount
Light Yagami is a genius student whose life changes drastically when he discovers a mysterious
notebook. known as the "Death Note". and people called him KIRA. L is a detective assigned to dismantle
the KIRA's identity.
The Death Note's instructions claim that if a person's name is written within it while picturing that
person's face, that person shall die. Light is initially skeptical of the notebook's authenticity, but after
experimenting with it, he realizes that the Death Note is real. After meeting with the previous owner of the
Death Note, a Shinigami named Ryuk, Light seeks to become "god of the new world" by passing his
judgment on those he deems to be evil or who get in his way. After months of killing criminals, Light is
dubbed Kira by the public and some believe him to be righteous about killing criminals.
L Known as the best detective in the world, L has solved many cases with his assistant Watari.
Working with them, L manages to confront Light, live on TV, and deduces he is in the Kanto region of Japan
and he can "kill without lifting a finger." The race begins between L and Light to discover each other's
identity.
Evaluation
The performance of this film is good. Supported by a great actor by Tatsuya Fujiwara (as Light
Yagami) & Kenichi Matsuyama (as L). the graphics are very nice. Then the storyline is different from the
anime and manga.
Evaluative Summation
Overall, Death Note is a good historical mystery movie. But the plot is different from the anime and
manga.