Professeur Layton et la Diva éternelle

After currently watching this on Blu-Ray the movie adaptation of the hit Nintendo DS games lives true to what The Prof is all about. This whole new adventure did not turn out to what I have expected, but it turned out better and very enjoyable. The story is just as gripping and interesting as the games themselves and filled with interesting characters new and old and off course what made the game so popular PUZZLES!! they were also a major factor of the story, in search for eternal life Layton and Luke encounter a number of puzzles on the way, that is when the movie goes back to it's roots as when it was a game, making you almost think your playing it, even though Layton and Luke solve them within minutes it was still enjoyable trying to guess the answer and seeing The Professor and his apprentice in action. Over all I highly recommend this movie to all fans of the series, and even people who never played the games and enjoy anime. With Level-5's simplistic character design would not only attract the attention of children but for adults of all ages, a fun full feature length for anyone.

Professor Layton is an archaeologist by profession but he is also a puzzle solver and amateur detective, along with Luke, his young sidekick he is about to solve a particularly strange case. When singer, and former student, Janice Quatlane invites them to help solve a mystery they attend a concert at the 'Crown Petone' opera house. After the performance there is a surprise announcement... one of those attending will be granted eternal life; the rest will perish. The winner will be selected via a series of puzzles. There is no opportunity to escape for reasons I won't spoil.

I enjoyed this more than I expected; I haven't played any of the associated video games so can't say how true to them it is. While there are a number of puzzles for our protagonists to solve it didn't feel too episodic like some game adaptations. The story is fun and suitable for all but the youngest children; there are a few mild scares and some of those are played for laughs... such as the Scotland Yard detective who considers a swim in shark infested waters to be refreshing. The plot may be fairly ridiculous but it works in the context of the film. The animation might not be the best I've seen but I believe it follows the look of the games so makes sense; changing styles and character designs would understandable not work for established fans. There is a decent amount of action which is exciting in a child friendly way. Overall I'd recommend this for anime fans wanting a film suitable for all ages.

These comments are based on watching the film in Japanese with English subtitles.

This is an average adaptation. Just think of it as being a video game story and you will be fine. The voice actors are all decent for what they are being asked to do...bearing in mind that this review is only for the English version of this video which is the only version I have seen obviously. The characters are also obviously pretty one dimensional, not very deep, so it's hard to judge the talent of the voices here. They are all okay. The level of the writing is pretty weak as I said already, with it being the level of a video game, and the jokes are just stupid for the most part. This is a movie that is just for young kids.

Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva Pretty decent movie, with a good and interesting plot throughout. Although it does try to stay true to the game, there isn't much actual puzzle solving (No random puzzles!). Rather the movie is somewhat similar to the Detective Conan series, but has more possible deduction solutions for its audience to perceive than the latter.

Animation is done by the same people who made the cut scenes in the Professor Layton series, and voice actors for the J version of the game returns to voice their respective characters for the movie.

Music is just perfect! A lot of recognisable tunes ;D - The revamped theme song is just sooo goood! It is definitely geared towards the fans of the series, don't hessitate to watch it if you are not firmiliar to the game as it does fill in the introductions to the characters and the like.

Overall a good movie 8/10

Professor Layton is a game about solving puzzles, a film following the same concept would certainly be interesting, after all I'm sure you realise how bad most game-related films and film-related games are.

Anyone who's played any of the games know how ridiculous the stories are, there's no exception here, as the film progresses things get more and more ridiculous: from the sharks at the start through the chainsaw contraption right up to the final showdown. At least you can't complain it's not original.

Puzzles are there too, not quite as shoehorned in as in the games though, the few puzzles there are in this hour and a half do get you thinking, the was quite some discussion at the screening when the puzzles were asked. And they don't try hiding their nature as puzzles, they are asked as puzzles in the films as they are in the games.

It's a shame the film will have such a cult following, appealing really only to people who have played the games. Fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy the film, at one point someone gets kicked in the *ahems* and the 'hint coin' noise is added as a sound effect. That doesn't mean non-fans won't enjoy it, just don't expect it to be the most believable film, even anime, you've seen.

Some things are lost in translation; because the film starts in London, the eponymous hero is British and there are a number of references to the UK it's still decidedly Japanese which makes some of the references to being a "British Gentleman" rather humorous. The art style, too, is the same as the games, and the voice acting is taken straight from the series so be warned that Luke is still a main character. "'ello there professor!" The film is more like a feature-length cut scene than a film adaption and while game fans will get more out of the film than those that haven't played any of the series it doesn't mean if you don't know the series it's not worth seeing. It's so ridiculous and over the top it's worth seeing just for that.

I would highly recommend Professor Layton and The Eternal Diva for any fan of the series, any fan of anime and anyone with ninety minutes to spare and wanting something entertaining to watch.

It's better than a lot of films and a lot better than most game/film adaptations. It won't be to everyone's taste but it's ridiculous enough to make it entertaining and memorable.