Death Note: Light Up the NEW World (2016)

I am going to make this short and sweet. If you are watching this movie because you enjoyed the original Death Note series then you are wasting your time. The poorly thought out plot and development of the story will leave a sour taste in your mouth. While there are some cameo appearances from the original cast - it doesn't save the film from itself, but uses them as cliched plot hooks to make you think there is something bigger a long the way.Here is a spoiler and it really disturbs me the most. The idea that L and Kira/Light both had time to store their DNA, or have children is absurd. I mean to the point of the absurdity that it doesn't even make sense. I've read the Manga, Watched all the Anime, seen the live action films, and even ready the light novels. and not once, in any of that source material - key words here are SOURCE MATERIAL - is there an ounce of Kira/Light having a child, or L storing his DNA. Now only ten years have passed and these clones and children are full grown adults? give me a break!!!Anyways, This movie is awful, Sorry dudes you failed big time

Death Note the anime is one of the all time greatest television series, a true masterpiece and a contender for the most intelligent franchise by far.I was always fearful to venture into the live action material and that doubled when I watched the embarrassment of Death Note (2017) I finally took a chance and watched Death Note (2006) and was thrilled at how well made it was and loyal to the original material. Sure it had tweaked a couple of parts of the storyline, but it still felt like Death Note.The sequel was equally great and the third part was perfectly good as well, when I discovered a 4th movie had been made I questioned whether it had reached the stage they were milking it.Following directly on from the 3rd movie, we're now 10yrs on from the original events of Kira with both Light & L deceased. The death gods have rained death notes down on the world and all hell is breaking loose. It's come down to L's successor and the surviving members of the old team to bring justice to those responsible.This 4th movie clearly has a larger budget, the shinigami cgi is considerably better and the whole film just looks polished. It follows on perfectly and is a welcome addition to the franchise.It has it's flaws don't get me wrong, but regardless is a great Death Note film even if it doesn't have the subtlety of the originals.I'm not sure whether this is the end, I feel like it could continue based upon the ending but this is a decent enough send off should it not.The Good: Decent opening sequence CGI has improved Shinigamis are greatThe Bad: Some bad, dull and unlikeable characters Story is perhaps to grand for a 2hr film Things I Learnt From This Movie: The pulse can be taken from a persons cheek Sometimes milking a franchise beyond its means can work

Death Note is the one of the best original work that Japanese have developed and created a truly mysterious story, with creative characters. Honestly, I really loved the story (plot) and the developed characters. The story is quite inspiring, full with excitement. Based on the famous Japanese manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Death Note follows a high school student who comes across a supernatural notebook, realizing it holds within it a great power.NOTE: The only reason, why people dislike it, is that the two characters "Light" and "L' is not too involved at all in this series.

As a Death Note fan, I was excited when a new film is green-lighted. It is only later when it is revealed as a sequel to Death Note: The last name. Though doubtful, I was still looking forward to see how the saga of Kira could be continued. Crafted as an original story, the first trailer looked intriguing. So how does the final product fare? Death Note: Light up the new world is a decent installment to the popular franchise, paying homage to the franchise. Although it is a sequel, it could easily be a stand-alone film with all the new characters. It may not match the standard of the first two films directed by Shusuke Kaneko but it is a step up from Hideo Nakata's L: Change the world.The story: Set 10 years after Death Note: The last name, Shinsuke Sato (Director of Gantz) goes straight into the thrills as he opens with a killing rampage in Tokyo. He keeps the pace brisk without slowing down for character's development. The viewers will be thrust into the middle of the cat-and-mouse chase. I think it will be helpful to watch Death Note: New Generation, a mini-series that is the prequel to this. The new characters are interesting enough but nothing beats Light and L. The third act falls to Shinsuke's familiar territory. A thrilling chase followed by an action-packed climax with revelations. Some twists may be a little surprised but if you know Death Note, it wouldn't come off as a big surprise. Shinsuke directs with enough thrills to keep the film afloat. Acting is alright. The characters are fighting for their own screen time. None of the characters stand out. Even Ryuk, the iconic shinigami, has limited screen time. Music is throughout and adds to the thrills.Overall: It may not hold a candle next to first two films in term of smartness and thrills but it is decent enough to warrant a watch. It is definitely not boring and the CGI has improved a lot. The CGI of the three shinigamis feel more realistic and organic. Is it worthy of being in the Death Note franchise? I would say a 'Yes'. It ends with a common cliffhanger and I wouldn't seeing Death Note taking a new direction. But it will have to wait until this film is deemed as successful. Meanwhile, let's see if the Hollywood remake in 2017 is worthy of its title.