Original Title: Desu Nōto | デスノート
Release: 2006
Country: Japan
Director: Shusuke Kaneko
Cast: Tatsuya Fujiwara / Ken’ichi Matsuyama
Running Time: 117 Min.
Written by M. Douglas
Published: 01/28/07
Based on the hit Japanese manga, Death Note tells the story of our main character Light Yagami (Tatsuya Fujiwara) and his discovery of a notebook entitled Death Note in which whoever’s name is written down within its pages apparently dies shortly after. Light begins to use the notebook for good, vanquishing evil people as he sees fit. This inevitably gathers the attention of not only Japan, but the entire world. Soon the Japanese police decide to hire a detective known only by the name of “L” (Ken’ichi Matsuyama) to try to catch the witty and intelligent Light. While only the first film in a double feature (the 2nd film showing in Japanese theaters as of now), Death Note weaves a complex story with a rich cast that will please fans of the manga as well as initiate casual viewers into the unsuspecting and exciting realm of Death Note.
For a film that derives from a manga, Death Note carefully follows the same plot as the manga, with the addition of some minor changes. While this certainly is helpful to new viewers, it also allows every viewer, new and old, to become affiliated with the characters anew. Tatsuya Fujiwara’s (of Battle Royale fame) portrayal of Light Yagami is fantastic and he effectively delivers the intelligent yet deceitful nature of his manga counterpart. In addition to his performance, Ken’ichi Matsuyama as the benevolent yet determined “L” is great as well. Both characters, specifically later in the film, play off each other wonderfully and a race to prove mental superiority between the two begins to slowly unfold. This ends up becoming one of the better developments in the film; the set pieces revolving around the mental battle between Light and L. Each try to outwit one another and their attempts provide some of the film’s more intense moments. The film also documents the downward spiral of Light and shows a man who has the ultimate power to do well (which he does at first), but slowly starts to descend into more desecrated behavior due to situation he finds himself in and the absolute power he has acquired.
From the look of it, the film was shot using a HD camera. This provides the film with a sleek “clean” look but at certain moments in the film, I felt like I was watching a television drama. I believe another type of camera setup would have enhanced the film greatly, provided that it gave the film a darker contrast in comparison to the nature of the manga. Also, the creation of Ryuuk was done entirely in CG. Even though he isn’t on screen a majority of the film, I thought the implementation of his character was well done.
Since this is the first of two films, one might expect this film to end on a premature note. I am happy to say that while the film does end on the anticipation of the sequel, and leads directly into the sequel as well, its conclusion wraps everything up well enough that it could definitely stand out on its own. This, coupled with that fact that the preparation of the two films was contemplated from the very beginning by the production studio, only reassures the informative viewer that there is indeed more in store.
So what is my verdict regarding Death Note? It’s an exciting and suspenseful film that complements fans of the manga, and should appeal to the casual crowd as well. The only thing missing from the film is the sequel to it. And judging from this film, the Death Note film series is in good hands.
