L: Change the World

Let's be clear the Death Note movies were works of art and mostly loyal to the original material, the performances were fantastic and they delivered on every front.

I was deeply concerned about this L themed spin off for a number of reasons, primarily because it's very existence felt like a cash grab.

Immediately it felt like it was part of the franchise, integrated into the last film and following on nicely.

Of course if the movies had followed the original material this movie for obvious reasons would never have been possible.

Trouble is now it was entirely L's story and could he carry a film by himself? Honestly, no. And that's a shame because bringing L into other cases could in itself be brilliant and worthy of an entire television show but somehow, someway it simply didn't work.

L himself was great, the actor once again knocks it out of the park but is dropped into a non-Death Note themed story that simply isn't worthy of him or the franchise.

Thanks to him and the general quality of the film it's still quite good but isn't as smart as we've come to expect from the series and just not that great.

Add a team of interesting characters with L and I stand by this being perfect for a television show but as a movie it just doesn't stack up.

The Good:

L is perfect once again

Is following on from the events of the main movies

The Bad:

Story is very bland

Not as well written as the Death Note movies

Isn't particularly intelligent

L: Change the World is a spin-off from the Death Note movies, not the mangas. The mangas/anime are better than all the films. Death Note: Part 1 is a better film than L, but I enjoy the last the most. Death Note: Part 2 is all-over the place though.

Hideo Nakata was able to craft an intense and heart-pounding thriller, and Matsuyama Kenichi is just simply amazing as the almost heartless L, but we see more of him as a "human".

Basically, L: Change the World chronicles the last days of L, similar to what Passion of the Christ did to Jesus. Other than the amazing Kenichi, the young boy F is adorable and we see him become Near - who we never see - in the near future; hence the toy robot.

Overall, L: Change the World is a worthy spin-off to the shaky films and superior mangas/anime. Highly recommended!

First of all, I don't know why some people dis this movie- saying "This has nothing to do with Death Note". For the record, that's because it isn't supposed to have anything to do with Death Note.

I went to HMV last weekend and when I saw this movie, I had to buy it- I am a huge fan of L and seeing the title and cover I thought this would be a good watch. I was right.

From the beginning, I enjoyed this movie. I liked that the last days of L's life were spent solving a case,visiting Wammys and smiling?:D I also liked Near's appearance, and no offence but they weren't going to find a Thai boy with white hair. Near was very sweet and his liking for toys and genius ability showed during the course of the movie.

Maki was an interesting character, by the end I had started to like her, In the beginning I despised her to be honest.

I cried at the ending, it was very touching. Showing this was the end. L's final words were very moving and he actually smiled!

L fans will enjoy this movie a lot, I think.

All in all, this was a very good watch and I'm glad that I bought it.

8/10.

I rate this a 7 because it is fine for kids and teens and good in many ways. It lacks the substantial weightiness that it's predecessors have. But, I enjoyed it and especially loved the Japanese fun/humorous moments too. I guess it was not the film I had hoped it would be after the first two Death Note films I saw, but I wasn't disappointed either. This fellow, L, is a very likable character and interesting every bit through. You can't help but root for him and the ending just steals my heart. What can I say except, if you want to get into a film, whether light of heavy, this is fine to watch... and good for young people too. It has an easy to follow story, but filling too.

I imagine you have seen or at least heard of the anime/manga "Death Note". I'm not gonna spoil anything about "Death Note", but as you can imagine, as with every spin-off, you have one major character from "Death Note" appearing in this movie.

This character is none other than "L". A mysterious but very funny character, with some very weird and funny addiction habits. I don't know if this spin-off is based on an anime too, but I can say, that apart from a really fresh and exciting beginning, this movie lacks many things from the original "Death Note" (series). The actor who plays "L" (the same guy who played him in Death Note too) is fantastic in his role depiction. True to his anime roots, but only as much as the story allows him to be.

And there lies the problem. This movie is way too serious (a few absurd moments still exist) and way too dramatic. A shame then, that the thriller elements can't save the movie either. The best moments lie in the comedy or character (mostly L) bits, but even those can't save the movie entirely. My tip: Watch both "Death Note" movies and the anime series instead!