1 point for casting William Dafoe. 1 more point for the beginning CGI shots with him as Ryuk.
Besides that ...OMYGOODNESS THIS REVIEW IS GOING TO BE SCATHING.
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Writing- 💩/10
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So maybe you've never written a screenplay before, but if you've done any creative activity you recognize when a novice is at the reigns. There is usually a lack of originality, a broken narrative (or lack of throughline) and recycled (painful) tropes. The first 10 minutes has all of these things. That alone makes me want to not give this movie a chance, but then we have the trickiness in that this is an adaptation.
Now I can be forgiving with an adaptation, I think most people can now (ie. MCU). Given that Death Note was a popular season long anime, it's understandably hard to adapt something with such rich lengthy and also dense source material into an 1.5 hour film.
But that is the problem here. Besides the names and the titular plot device this is NOT an adaptation. It's hard to even say that this is a re-imagining or anything of the sort. It seems like the writers skimmed the source material and more or less didn't even try to capture the spirit of the original animé.
Your culprits in this include: Jeremy Slater (Fantastic Four(yeah I know)) and Vlas and Charlie Parlapanides (Immortals, Live Bet).
Now Jeremy is quoted as saying much of what he wrote for FF was chopped so maybe he isn't terrible... and Immortals was an ok film but that was due more to it's stylization, and also it came out 6 years ago. That's a long time to go without good credits to your name.
So out the gate it was not looking good for this team.... and boy did they refuse to put any makeup on.
I could literally reem this film for its terrible, and I mean ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE, writing....
.... So after a quick overview of some other elements of the film...I will....
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Characters- 🤖/10
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I put a robot because no one seems to understand human emotions. ESPECIALLY not our leads.
Light, and his rival "L" both are so ridiculously hard to believe are actual people. L's monotone delivery did not match his movement. Now I found myself liking the actor for L but not the direction he was taken in several times.
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CGI/SFX - 8/10
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I really liked the special effects for Ryuk early on. Doesn't save the movie though.
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Cinematography - 🎀/10
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That is a bow. Because even though the movie had some beautiful shots, it is the equivalent of putting a pretty little bow on a heaping doo doo log.
The marble scene. The L introduction red hall. Gorgeous scenes. But still a bow.
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Direction -🐃/10
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That is a bull. That's what this movie is. That's what this director's efforts are.
Your culprit here is: Adam Wingard, whose credits include: You're Next & Blair Witch (2016).
😐
Now regardless of what anyone has made in the past, we shouldn't doubt their ability to, more or less, turn it around, grow and exponentially become better. No one is great their first few times around. I think why this isn't usually the case though is Hollywood movie culture thrives on self-gratification and justification. We saw it numerous times with actors, writers and directors arguing for the white-washing of more than a few beloved stories from across the pond.
Now I am not against recasting people as different races AT ALL (Domino in Deadpool 2 is wifey) but the way these Hollywood types argued away legitimate concerns from people of different cultures shows a lack of empathy and ultimately a desire to be justified and accepted in their position, regardless of the stigma, versus seeking to honor the spirit of the characters they are chosen to play, to me anyway.
I said all of that to say that this Director seems to have been more concerned about unapologetically making a movie HE wanted to make, instead of a movie the fans and public wanted to see.
I think as an artist you should stay true to yourself always... BUT WHEN YOU PICK UP AN ADAPTATION YOU SIT YOUR EGO DOWN.
You have to remember that no matter how good a property is, without fans it is nothing. Without fans it gains no notoriety and maybe becomes a rare gem or a cult classic after the fact.
The opportunity to make this movie and get that check is because of the fans. HONOR THEM BY HONORING THE SOURCE MATERIAL.
Jeez...
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Conclusion - No / 10
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The original animé Death Note is a masterpiece of reoccurring visual themes, compelling philosophy, strong characterization, originality and believable storytelling.
I don't believe a single exchange in this movie.
I can't stand this casting choices. And are the writers completely inept? I am convinced they skimmed the originals, because the cues they should have taken and ran with were completely left out.
The writers have ZERO understanding of common psychology. Lights girlfriend tries to off his Dad?!?! Trick what?!? And he LETS IT SLIDE??? I morally am completely against Kira and have a history of terrible relationship choices but RED FLAG bro.
The motivations ARE SOOOOOOO JUVENILE.
I much rather battle Tight Eyez, Konkrete, Neguin, Thesis, Waydi, King Charles, Toyin, Tsunami, Coflo, Nene, Kia Labeija, The entire fabulous House of Energi, Boogie Frantic, Future and Rashaad, Konichiwaack, Nasty Kidz, Wild 7s, Body Poets, every Bopper in LA and the contemporary dancing women from Block Party after drink expired milk and running 30 miles with an infected leg injury...than watch this film again.
