Death Note the Movie

Death Note the Movie is a two part movie having the second movie's title Death Note: The Last Name. I can't say that it is a sequel because the first movie stopped in the very middle of the story. The second movie, on the other hand, continued where the first left off and provided the conclusion.

The story of DEATH NOTE revolves around a notebook that can kill anyone at anytime so long as the person knows the name and clearly remembers the face. The story began when a teenager picked up the said notebook and started writing down criminals. As the number of death increases with the same cause of death (heart paralysis), the police becomes suspicious that someone is killing them intentionally. The killer was then named by the peopple KIRA. Due to the increase in death of criminals, the police hired the finest detective named L because they believe that even criminals have the right to live. The finest quote I picked up in the movie is, "The Law is not perfect because these were created by man who strive to be perfect but aren't". So the story proceeded and focused in the capture of KIRA and KIRA's view of justice.

One of the most attractive part of the movie is the intellectual battle of L, played by Ken'ichi Matsuyama, and Light Yagami, played by Tatsuya Fujiwara. Both characters are very smart and has their own viewpoint regarding justice. While one makes plans to deliver his idea of justice and simultaneously avoid being caught, the other accurately reads the situation and makes the right action. It's like seeing a game of chess but with real people involved. This is one factor that really drew me to this movie, the battle of wits.

Just like most books turned into a movie, differences are present. Fortunately, the movie wasn't bad, in fact, I loved it. Some of the differences are as follows:

1.) The capture of Light. Though L was able to confirm that Light is Kira, he died before he could bring Light to justice. It was his successor who captured Light, namely NEAR (with the help of MELO).
2.) The number of users of the DEATH NOTE. There were a total of five Kiras in the book but only three were introduced in the movie. This is perhaps to shorten the movie.
3.) The death of Mogi and Captain Yagami. In the book, Mogi (one of the lesser character) did bot die because he will be supplying NEAR the information about what L has done with regard to the case. On the other hand, Captain Yagami died in the book but not because of the DEATH NOTE; and even in death, he didn't know that Light is Kira.
4.) L's appearance in the university. L, in the book, did not go to the university for the sake of arresting Misa but enrolled in the university to keep an eye on Light.