72 replies to this topic

[LuckyChi7]

So we just got a clip between Light and Ryuk that just came out, and it's kinda interesting: 

 

 

 

The question still stands, will it be good? at this point I'm 50/50 split I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't end up being good. 

[sushi.]

From the movies I've watched Light's actor isn't the most skillfull one. :/ He's really mediocre and it's difficult to capture Light's growing insanity. When he talked to himself it looked silly not frightening. I predict this will be a 6/10.

I wish they hadn't changed Ryuk's role because he's supposed to watch in amusement while Light gets lost in the book, not push him to use it.

[ThroughWithLove]

You can't really do a Death Note live action movie without constant internal monologue and live action movies (American ones anyway) just don't do that (Sin City being the exception). This is probably why the screen play changed the nature of Light and Misa's relationship. The exposition that would otherwise be delivered by Light's thoughts are delivered as a result of conversation instead. Same goes for having L speak in public as opposed to sitting by himself in silence. Unfortunately, this manner of exposition guts the characters, which is why this movie has no chance of being any good.

[trang95]

This is gonna be so edgy... I have zero expectations for this adaptation.

[Lid]

I try to keep an open mind about adaptations and I really make an effort to reserve judgement for movies and series until I've seen them.

 

However, from what I've seen, I have to say I really don't see this "Death Note" adaptation being very good.

 

The setting of the movie, at least from Light's perspective, seems a bit too dreary and broken down. Even what he's wearing seems a bit too 'rough.' I'm all for making some differences for an American version, but Light should be in up scale school, popular and clean-cut. It was that whole sparkling boy-scout image that made for such a good contrast with his darker elements.

 

There's been some other aspects I haven't really liked, either. One of the trailers had L out in public speaking to the press, it seemed rather odd. Once again, change things like locations, maybe some character names and such to make it fit, but for the most part some good costume design could make for a more accurate adaptation.

 

The clip they released was also rather concerning. Ryuk seems to be trying to convince Light to use the Death Note, when it was Light that experimented with it on his own. Maybe there's more too it, but I feel like this is the wrong direction. Again, I know things have to be somewhat different, but if so much changes is it even Death Note?

Edited by Lid, 23 July 2017 - 07:55 PM.

[LuckyChi7]

Didn't realize a new trailer came out: 

 

 

 

I'll say this the trailer's making it look good, but will it actually be good? who knows. 

 

 

I'm still like 50/50 on the entire thing.. Just a week away and then it'll be out... so judgement will soon arrive. 

 

 

 

btw the director did say this when it came to the live action film when it comes to the concerns people have over the films and stating the American take on the series:  "It's one of those things where the harder I tried to stay 100 percent true to the source material, the more it just kind of fell apart... You're in a different country, you're in a different kind of environment, and you're trying to also summarize a sprawling series into a two-hour-long film. For me, it became about; what do these themes mean to modern day America, and how does that affect how we tell the story."

 

http://www.ign.com/a...merican-setting

[trang95]

Who's ready to watch this movie on Friday? I already know I will be disappointed, lol.

[BlueStarSaber]

Just saw the first 2 episodes of the anime yesterday, pretty clever how L exposed Kira doing all the murders in Japan

[TouKen4Life3g]

Still can't believe it was in WSJ. Pretty damn 80s dark vibe.

Anyway, well, Friday it is.

[BlueStarSaber]

Still can't believe it was in WSJ. Pretty damn 80s dark vibe.

Anyway, well, Friday it is.

Well to be fair they do put Shonen Jump Advance on the volumes, though I still why Assassination Classroom is Advance when it's quite lighthearted, except maybe the boob jokes

[gamma]

Still going to watch it, but I'm keeping my expectations low with an open mind. Cause I'm not too sure on how it'll all play out...

[TouKen4Life3g]

Who knows. It was still published in WSJ and we were following an anti-hero/villain. It's kind of unheard of. It's like if more like this appear under Shounen, it wouldn't be so stereotyped with "friendship is power!" ideal.

[TouKen4Life3g]

I saw it.

 

Don't watch it.

[hinataiscreepy]

Still going to watch it, but I'm keeping my expectations low with an open mind. Cause I'm not too sure on how it'll all play out...

 

The reviews are not looking great so far...

 

Probably, one of the most interesting review that highlights the brilliance of the original and what the netflix adaptation misses out completely.

 

https://www.theverge...ew-adam-wingard

 

On the other hand, I HIGHLY recommend the two Death Note films of 2006 made by Japanese. It looks a bit outdated and CGI Ryuk looks awful but the overall execution and pacing totally make up for it. The characters actually look their original counterpart (especially L) and the films add some mind-blowing twists that totally live up to the manga. I would even say that the movie ending actually surpass the original ending completely. These movies condense and cut out the absurd amount of exposition from the original and make the pacing a lot smoother.

[sushi.]

I saw it.

 

Don't watch it.

[TouKen4Life3g]

 

The reviews are not looking great so far...

 

Probably, one of the most interesting review that highlights the brilliance of the original and what the netflix adaptation misses out completely.

 

https://www.theverge...ew-adam-wingard

 

On the other hand, I HIGHLY recommend the two Death Note films of 2006 made by Japanese. It looks a bit outdated and CGI Ryuk looks awful but the overall execution and pacing totally make up for it. The characters actually look their original counterpart (especially L) and the films add some mind-blowing twists that totally live up to the manga. I would even say that the movie ending actually surpass the original ending completely. These movies condense and cut out the absurd amount of exposition from the original and make the pacing a lot smoother.

Those were much more faithful to original and held well for its execution.

[hinataiscreepy]

I heard the netflix version tries to retell the whole story in two hours which is impossible and is gonna feel rushed.

 

The Japanese films don't fall into that trap by using two films and avoids the timeskip issue from the original manga that caused the series to downgrade in quality.

[gamma]

At least we still have this brilliant piece of work around:

 

[Gravenimage]

I saw it.

 

Don't watch it.

 

I knew it so it was THAT BAD? I'm not surprised don't worry I won't.

[Lid]

So... I just watched it... And I took some notes. So, if you want to see my reactions that I had while watching this travesty, you can see them below. Warning, spoilers:

 

Death Note reactions

Music, not scored. Already a bad sign. Some random lame music.

• Light taking money for grades. Why? He's supposed to be a golden boy.
• Being in a run down school? Why not a nice, well kept school. Adaptations need changes, sure, but at least keep some framework.
• Light being in trouble, again, he looks like a punk, not a young man with an immensely promising future.
• Lost his mother? Really? Was that necessary?
• The film isn't shot very well
• Why do the lights go out when Ryuk shows up? It seems like a gimmick to make things more "spooky."
• This is extremely rushed, no time for the audience to get to know Light
• No time to experiment, or become ambitious
• I'm not even nine minutes in.
• Light is being encouraged/manipulated, so he doesn't really have any conviction.
• Comes off more like Final Destination or a teen horror so far than Death Note
• Why did they make his character like this? He already comes across as not very charming, he doesn't act like an anti-hero that you semi want to root for.
• It seems like the only reason the lights go off when Ryuk shows up is to hide the special effects. Otherwise there's no real reason for it
• At least they got the apples right
• OK, the mom being dead and the killer going free could have worked, but that should have been the experiment. Then have Ryuk show up at a detention when Light is considering using it again at school.
• Why tell Mia?! He apparently has zero strategy in this.
• Only the keeper of the note can see Ryuk? I get you need to change things for adaptations but what the hell is this?! That's a MAJOR change.
• 20 minutes in. So Light doesn't see himself as a god, says the idea of a "god" is bigger than him, so I guess he doesn't have the ego
• Also, I've noticed all the deaths being very gruesome, once again, it's like this is trying to be an edgy teen horror. Remember, at it's core, the original Death Note was about mind games, mental battles. So far, that is lacking here.
• Not sure about the hood, but L doesn't seem bad so far.
• Why is Misa doing the work, why hasn't it shown Light create a system?
• The investigation part isn't too bad, I can give that credit.
• Not sure why L has to go out in public, why he couldn't just do the "L" symbol?
• Disappointed that they didn't do the "I am Justice" scene. I also feel like this is where Mia being included is a detriment. Otherwise, it would have just been a showdown between the two.
• I kind of wish the scene between Light and the dad didn't have the ominous music and classic "thunderstorm" in the background. A little more subtlety could have gone a long way.
• L is so far the best part of the movie, no question.
• I hate this relationship between Light and Mia!
• Also, L noted that Light was particularly bright, but we haven't seen much of that yet. Sure, he did other people's homework for money, but he hasn't shown that great "think outside the box" talent.
• What the kitten is with this mass suicide? And this music? Once again, subtlety goes a long way! Plus, how did he get the names? Also, he's talking about the killings in the middle of a crowd?
• Plus, I hate how they're making Ryuk! They've killed a ton of people with the Death Note, why isn't he saying this is fun? He seemed to be happy just a minute ago with L "entering the fray?!"
• Wait, why did Ryuk kill them? This was another chance to show off Light's intilligence and they waste it!
• We're not the good guys anymore? What the hell is going on?
• Ok, I see the issue here, Light doesn't command the screen. The reason L is good so far is he has conviction, he has a purpose, a goal. Light, so far, has just been sort of aimless, led by other people. He doesn't command the screen. Major issue, and it's only half way!
• Again, L is the best part of this movie, absolutely great performance. Really makes me wish Light was better.
• Ummmmmmmmmmmm, they don't know Watari's last name?????????????????
• Hey wait a second, what if Mia wrote in the book, would that make it part of her possession? Couldn't she then see Ryuk?
• Eh, not a fan of L losing his cool like that
• Couldn't they track Watari's cell phone or something?
• Orphanage place looks pretty run down, I guess Near and Mello don't exist.
• What the hell? I really can't stand Mia in this movie.
• WHAT!?!?!!?!?!?!?!? Mia came up with the "Ray Penbar" killings in this one?!?!?! kitten THIS!
• So Mia is the villain... Wow. So, no mental games, no strategy. This is nothing but a teeny bopper horror kitten show.
• It's not even as this movie has the worst ideas. But they wanted this to be an adaptation, and so far it's screwed everything up.
• This chase scene did have some good music, though, this should have been used throughout more of the movie.
• Light is such an annoying nothing in this movie. He's just so empty and bland at the end of the day.
• What the kitten is this kitten?!?! Some lover's quarrel!?!
• Seriously, with the music?! Is this even trying to be serious?
• See, this type of creative work should've been better.
• And of course Light sees the error of his ways, well golly gee, isn't that swell?
• DOES IT SERIOUSLY kittening IMPLY THAT L USES THE DEATH NOTE?! I'M DONE!

 

Ok, so, at the end of the day, if this wasn't called Death Note, it would be a below average teen horror flick. The idea of teens messing with a paranormal plot device and getting in over their heads maybe could've worked. Even though it's a pretty generic trope, it's not a terrible thing to take a chance with, as long as the execution is good. That wasn't really the case here, though. Most of the acting is forgettable, Light is bland, Mia is over the top and so many sequences try too hard to be edgy.

 

But let's get to the real reason we're all talking about this, it has the name DEATH NOTE, this is supposed to be an adaptation of DEATH NOTE. Could they have done an American version and kept a lot the same? Absolutely. Light could still be a golden boy genius who happens upon the note and his ambitious nature and ego put him on a quest for creating a new world and a collision course with detectives for some amazing mental battles.

 

THAT is not here, THIS is not Death Note.

 

I think I'm going to watch some real Death Note now to put this movie out of my memory.

Edited by Lid, 26 August 2017 - 04:56 AM.