Just writing in my spare time ...If I ever get any!...Ciao has completely changed since I last wrote...
Just writing in my spare time ...If I ever get any!...Ciao has completely changed since I last wrote a review....hmmm..? need to figure it all out.... soon be CHRISTMAS YAY!!!
Member since:25.04.2003
Reviews:56
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Imagine
A new power has been thrust upon you. No-one can know about it. Your new power is supernatural and enables you to put to death anyone whom you choose within a matter of seconds in a way that would appear to everyone who witnesses it to look like death from a natural causes or an accident and therefore making it hard to trace back to you. What would you do? Would you use such a power for Good or for Evil? Would or should you even want to use such a power at all?
Lead character Light Yagami faces such choices in this movie.
DEATH NOTE
Light Yagami (Tatsuya Fujiwara) is an above average 17 year old Student. He wants to one day become a great criminal detective just like his father. One day he finds a notebook on the street. The front cover reads 'Death Note'and inside the note book are the instructions for use of the 'Death Note'. The Death Note basically gives instructions on how to kill people. Although there are a few rules, the basic one as written on the inside cover of the Death Note is:
*the human whose name is written in this note book shall die
There are a further 12 rules in the 'How to Use it' Guide
Some weird joke perhaps?
You could forgive Light Yagami for doubting and even laughing at the Death Note on first inspection . But Light quickly realizes that far from a joke this 'Death Note' in fact works . Light has been handed the power to cause the death of anyone whom he chooses, so long as he sticks to the rules of the 'Death Note' and for as long as he can remain undetected .
Light's
intentions to start with, although far from harmless, in his opinion seem to be for good. As drastic as they may be. Light makes targets out of Hardened criminals and people who most people would class as evil . His ultimate intention is to rid the world of evil. However it becomes apparent quite early on that Light's whole 'God like complex' reaches a new level and quickly things are spiraling out of control. Light's Father as a leading detective is coincidently called in to head the case which is looking into the cause of a recent surge of suspicious and sudden deaths that all appear to be linked in someway . Although Geographically widespread the similarities are just to great to be ignored. As the detectives are closing in Light is faced with new choices. Just how far will Light go to remain undetected? Is anyone including those closest to him really safe from his supernatural powers? As the detectives close in they feel the need to call on somewhat unorthodox but nonetheless famous detective L. (Who in my opinion is very well cast and a favorite character of mine throughout)
L is Light's Ultimate Nemesis. However .According to the rules of Death Note you not only need the name of the person who you want to die but also to picture their face as you write it .This is so that people who share the same name as the intended target don't also die. Here lies a problem for Light. L is an anonymousdetective -he goes by the name' L' for starters and when appearing in public it is with a disguised voice and through a computer monitor which simply shows the letter L on the screen . Light and L enter into a battle of wills Light needs to discover the identity of L so that he can kill him in order to remain undetected so he can carry on in his work which he believes is for ultimate good. Both Light and L believe fully in their own causes. They both truly believe that they are fighting for justice even though they are battling each other at opposite ends of the scale. The two roles really do compliment each other I feel they are as good as any other famous arch enemies such as superman and Lex Luther .
Along with Light's newly acquired powers comes the ability to see Shinigami (God of Death) named Ryuk. Ryuk in fact dropped the Death Note. Who ever touches the Death Note or a part of the Death Note (i.e even just a torn page from it)can see Ryuk. This means ,should light want someone to see the God of Death he only has to force them to touch a page from the Death Note which is easy to do as the pages just look like paper from a regular note book.
Ryuk's Character is played by Computer Graphics(looks exactly the same as the Ryuk in the manga anime series) and in my opinion it is very well done . Ryuk although being a 'God of Death' is not an evil character and adds some mild humor to the movie. Ryuk plays more of a conscience or voice on the shoulder type role, though not really to influence Light . Overall Ryuk is impartial to Light's choices. Ryuk also has a deal to offer Light which would give a further useful power. obviously as with most deals comes a price to pay so it is up to Light to choose whether or not to take what's on offer .
The story throughout is a simple one. It does however contain a fair amount of twists in the plot to keep the viewers attention -well in my opinion anyway. For those who don't know ,this film is based on anime manga series (Death Note) and sticks quite closely to volume 1 of that series. There is one main difference in the movie to the series and that is that Light has a girlfriend throughout the movie who plays quite a big role in the movie. There are other slight variations in the movie compared to the manga series but on the whole it stays very close to volume 1 in the series. There is a great twist at the end of this movie. Can't spoil it for you though!
This movie is placed in the SUPERNATURAL THRILLER Genre . Personally for me it wasn't quite a thriller in a way that is scary but it was thrilling nonetheless as is quoted on the the dvd sleeve ''deliriously dark...weirdly cool!!!'' Bizarre..... ''brilliantly effective'' **** Alan Jones-Starburst
This movie is the first of two Death Note Movies .I haven't watched the second yet but hope to in the very near future as the end of this film really leaves you hanging as to what will happen next. So if you enjoy this movie the second will be a must watch!
Death Note is a Japanese Series/Film . I watched the version with English subtitles as I prefer subtitles to movies that are badly dubbed which is usually the case. I think I recall seeing an English dubbed version on sale but in most searches I found japanese with English subtitles.
This movie was first released in the UK in 2008 and was Released in Japan in 2006
This DVD is a 2 disc Limited Edition and it is a fantastic edition . I will explain why..
The outer sleeve to the case may just be a regular Card board type with a picture and all the usual stuff you have on a DVD cover. However!..... The inner sleeve is made to look just like a Black Hardback Note Book (just like the one in the movie) Embossed on the front cover in silver are the words 'Death Note' In both English and Japanese. It is a must have especially for any existing fans of the Death Note anime series that as already mentioned this Live action movie has been adapted from . On opening the 'Death Note'/dvd case. You are presented with DEATH NOTEhow to use it Again Set out just like the one in the movie...So the first two pages are the rules of Death Note You will go on to find on turning the page two blank pages of lined exercise note book paper.(Once again!Just like the one in the series / movie) Behind the Death Note Rules and writing paper starting on the next page is a booklet which contains pictures and character profiles and other info about the movie. There are 21 !! pages in this booklet . This Booklet alone makes for an interesting read. Special Features DVD
Production Year: 1980 - Horror - Director: Stanley Kubrick - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
Death Note is based on the hit supernatural action mystery manga written by Tsugumi Ohba ... more
and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.The live-action film directed by Shusuke Kaneko - already established as a director of note through his series of popular monster...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: well written philosphical suspense series with a supernatural edge Disadvantages: not for the overly impressionable due to content, no extras
Shroud 17.10.2008 (17.10.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of DeathNote Vol.1 (DVD)
Sep 28th, 2009
(Oct 22nd, 2009)
exceptional by (17%):
very helpful by (83%):
