Netflix's Death Note (Spoiler Free Review)

This weekend, an American live action version of Death Note dropped into our laps thanks to Netflix!

Death Note is a manga/anime series about a Japanese high school student named Light Yagami who finds a supernatural notebook known as the Death Note. Whoever touches the pages of the book can see a Shinigami death god and whoever's name is written in the book dies. Upon seeing the Shinigami known as Ryuk and reading the rules of the Death Note, Light is intrigued and experiments with the book and brings about swift justice across the world. Sounds interesting right? The anime/manga is bananas! There are many important characters in the anime but the two most important are Light Yagami and a private investigator known as L. Throughout the series both go head to head in a battle of wits and it's as if they are playing a game of chess to the death.

However, in the live action American version, this is not the case. Netflix's Death Note is located in Seattle, Washington. Our main character is Light Turner (played by Nat Wolff, (Paper Towns)), who seems to be an outcast at his school. A total opposite from Light Yagami's character in the manga/anime. Immediately the movie shows that it deviates from the source material and that is usually okay because different can be good but once Light meets Ryuk the Shinigami death god the acting seems forced and over dramatic. There is no explanation of where Ryuk comes from and Light's reasoning to use the Death Note is predictable. Light Turner has no passion or sense of direction when using the Death Note unlike his counter part from the manga/anime series. As the movie progresses it is evident they tried to take the most important pieces of the original and cram it into an hour and forty minutes. Characters are introduced too fast and it seems the director and actors do not understand the personalities of the original characters at all. Upon L (Keith Stanfield, Get Out), I was immediately disappointed. His portrayal of the character was forced and not convincing. There wasn't any effort in trying to emulate the original or make a slightly different personality.

The only great part about Netflix's Death Note is Willem Dafoe's portrayal of Ryuk. He was mysterious, cunning, and had a sense of danger about him the way a death god should have. This Ryuk seemed different from the original and I enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the CGI and slight practical effects used to make the Shinigami come to life. Unfortunately, Willem Dafoe and his awesome acting could not save this film. If you would like an awesome Death Note experience I would watch the anime and read the manga. You will have a more enjoyable time!

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