Misa in the anime was a high-pitched, adorable, at times dunce-like character whose main goal was getting Kira to become her partner in crime and justice as well as romance. Despite her demeanor, she is 100x smarter, more interesting, more in-depth, and more likeable than the too-cool-for-school smoking cheerleader who thinks she's deep but isn't sociopath with no real motivation for her killings. Misa revered Kira because he killed the man on trial for her parents murder that was about to be acquitted. Now there's depth for ya! It's ridiculous how they're attempt to make the character more deep ended up making her a flat, unlikable piece of paper. And *don't* get me started on the casting for Light, and those frosted-tips dye job! What the hell were they thinking??
I really loved your review! I'm tired of people telling me that I can't say the movie is bad because it's "based on the animation and not a adaptation" (wtf??). The movie is bad, is terrible, with poorly constructed characters and lack of theme. It's a bad adaptation AND a bad movie. I'm so dissapointed. Hugs from Brazil!
11:04 the height Light is falling from would’ve killed him even if he hit the water. due to the surface tension of water it would’ve been similar to falling on concrete
dude Riuk had his character flaws too. he never forced Light to do anything. he was a watcher, not someone forcing kills. Riuk just didnt care. he just wanted to be entertained
You, sir, got yourself a sub at "I haven't been this triggered since The Last Airbender." For the rest of my days I shall now consider you a kindred spirit.
Ugh yes THANKYOU. So many people say Light in the original starts out good and the Death Note corrupts him. I think both the anime and manga makes it clear he was sociopathic to begin with and the Death Note enabled him to put his thoughts into practice. I mean it's not even a week before the dude is declaring himself a god. That's not normal. Of course this movie seems to be in the "The Death Note corrupts poor woobie Light" camp (especially with Netflix!Ryuk egging him on) and then gives original Light's arc to Misa/Mia for... some reason. I know the original is kind of sexist but this seems to be both overcompensating and sexist in a whole new way. Also I laughed out loud at the Mm, Watcha Say. Well Done.
Sai Is the original sexist? I think it does a very good job of potraying an abusive relationship and how charming an abuser can be (not just with Misa, Light is very succesful with the ladies) rather than making a statement on all women.
Disagree about the sociopathic part. At the beginning of the anime, he did feel bad for a period of time killing people. He was throwing up and showing symptoms of anxiety and early stages of depression. If anything the anime demonstrates that there is darkness within all of us. In Light, it was his sense of superiority - it's much harder to remain humble when you're beautiful, a genius and on a different level to others. The death note also creates a sense of detachment from death since it's so removed from the physical act of killing. I doubt that Light at the beginning would have been able to kill with his bare hands.
Even Ryuk said Light wrote more names in one DAY than all the other keepers of the book in their whole time with it. He was bloodthirsty from the start.
whitenostalgia, I sometimes think, what would have happen, if L picked up death note, not Light. I mean, he definetely has some darkness incide, some of his decisions are questionable. And also anime shows, that when Light lost his memories, he was quite good guy, he didn't support Kira's ideas, though admited that Kira's sense of justice matches his, an he was quite scared by it. But still, when he got his memory back, he immediately became his old self, so I'm not sure, was it death note corrupting him, or power, or it was just Light lying to himself
Also, what's so sexist about death note? There wasn't many female characters in it, but they were portrayed quite decently. Misa is this type of "girly girl" character, she's not very smart, but not every one in this anime are geniuses. Naomi Misora is really cool and smart (okay, I think Ray Pember was sexist to her, but he wasn't really developed as character). And there's a girl that was Kira's voice, I always forget her name, she was smart and beautiful, I wish there were more of her. Light's mum and sister had so little time, so it's hard to say something about them, but also there was nothing wrong with them either. Oh, and also ther was criminal lady, and Near's assisstant, they also okay. So yeah, there was only three important female characters, but I don't think they were made in a sexist way
Where the movie fail the most is at the actor. Light is suppoused to be this hUNK that all the girls have a crush on. They could've hired some gorgeous (let's say japanese because that's a great way to introduce more asian-american actors) teen actor. If the actor was beautiful it would've been harder for people to think of him as a "school shooter"
Maria M the movie fails most at his characterization. Wolf is cute, and light is cute. He's not a huge jock, just a nice looking guy. Maybe comparable to Toby (?) from skins. But even with that, they wrote him as a little BITCH. In the anime, light meets Ryuk and he's shocked, but not afraid. In the movie, wolf screams like a little girl and huddles into a ball. He sees bullies and doesn't find a clever way to stop them, he defends the poor kid by saying the nerdiest thing ever. That if they hit him it would be "child abuse". He made himself look WEAKER. If he was written as a strong character, if the actor was capable, he would be able to portray that strength. But because he was already kinda thin, baby faced, it just added on to how bitchy his character was
ms honey exactly, isnt this the same light who set up an entire fire bomb in his desk to keep anyone from getting to the book? its a year later and im still pressed xD
I think that Death Note movie shouldn't be targeted towards a specific market of teenage viewers. That's the issue. Since it targeted specifically towards that market because the main characters happened to be teenagers (except for L), everything was simplified to fit as an edgy teen movie.
But ... the original Death Note manga was specifically targeted to a certain audience. DN ran in Shonen Jump, a magazine directly targeted at teen boys. Sure, everyone else is welcome to read it too, but it's demographic is very clear. Every other reader is just extra. For those who don't know, that's the same magazine that ran Dragon Ball.
I just don't understand why so many anime adaptations has got to be turned into this sad, pathetic lovestory? Is it a cop out so they don't have to give the characters debt or an arch? Because the plot was too much to work with? It's also insulting, it's like saying "hey, you Americans, you're not smart enough for the original plot, here, let's throw in some cliches, that'll please the general audience." And it's so lazy! Adapting a book, sure, that can be a challenge, but the anime is right, fucking there - all they need to scramble together is a decent cast and a realistic budget, follow the story and be true to the characters, and there you go. But no, they had to make Light into a whiny, snotnosed hearththrob who had to get a crazy girlfriend. I hope the director is shunned forever along with the dipshit who created the attack on titan live action movies, but even that piece of garbage had more redeeming qualities than this so called "adaptation". It just pisses me off when they don't respect the original content.
Even an accurate adaptation would've had to cut about 10 hours of story though to fit a movie format, I say just watch the anime, I don't need all my media to be a live action film. They might've been able to do it justice with several films but even a standard trilogy would have to decide what's relevant and what can be cut while still remaining cohesive. I am curious to see the Japanese effort now though, it'll just be a pain to find online no doubt.
Probably to pander to teen shipper fangirls who are convinced that everything has to be about romance and when you call them out on it they accuse you of having no feelings and not loving anybody.
We knew this movie was going to be shit even when it was just a rumor years ago. I didn't expect much watching it, but I had to stop the movie at certain points because I cringed too hard.
it was even worse then i thought it would be.. and this review brings up a lot of good points about adaptations that are often overlooked because the adaptations are so bad you just cringe through them. love the points about how a lot of native english speaking people totally overlook foreign language movies and how overlooked animated movies and shows are just because of how accustomed we are to certain types of movies/shows. im swedish and i had to learn to read subtitles before i was 10! if a child can do it so can adults, but most people are too lazy
I appreciate how methodical your reviews are, and I appreciate your perspective. I do agree that Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast didn't need live actions, but I hadn't thought about how the adaptations delegitimatizing the animation. You bring up a lot of good points (in this and other videos) and you can talk about something that upsets you in a rational way. The internet needs more reviewers like you.
One thing I disagree with is that L is athletic. He's a decent fighter and a really good tennis player. For him to keep up with Light in that match, he must have been athletic regardless of his awful diet.
Well I've thought about this a lot, and do you remember how L says that he sits the way he does because "He has to"? It could be that he does that to keep his blood pumping and in turn burns more calories and can keep a healthy mind while having a more sedentary lifestyle. Not to mention his showing off of what i can only assume to be Capoeira martial arts with his kicking, throwing his legs up while supporting his upper body on the floor is no easy feat and it could be argued that his general slouch and weak demeanor is to throw people off of his actual physical capabilities. And if not for the blood pumping, his sitting like that could be to simply cut off some of the blood flow in his legs to let more move to his brain
It needs to be a meme to put random songs over Misa’s death scene “I NEED A HERO. I’M HOLDIN’ ON FOR A HERO ‘TIL THE END OF THE NIGHT. HE’S GOTTA BE STRONG AND HE’S GOTTA BE FAST AND HE’S GOTTA BE FRESH FROM THE FIGHT.”
It's hard for me to even watch people compare it when the movie is something so far from the actual story of death note. Is it even fair to call it an adaptation when all they did was use the character names (sort of *cough cough* misa to Mia? *cough cough*) concept and the notebook that kills people??? I am puzzled
@@TaylorJWilliams I just finished watching the original Death Note because of this video. Thank you. I loved every minute of it. Nice review on the remake also. Thank you for watching horrible films, so we don't have to. #NotMyLight
I remember when it was announced that Netflix was making a Death Note movie. A bunch of people from my high school talked about watching the movie and claiming to be anime fans. But when I asked them it they watched the anime or read the manga, they said they didn't want to not care to...
I feel like the most simple way to put it is that they changed too much but not enough like they changed the wrong things trying to re invent it but they also seemed like they where trying to make him the same characters at some points its like it was written by two different people with two different ideas
I've watched the anime twice and have yet to watch this movie. Watching your review of it surprises me greatly, though. I never had high hopes, anime adaptations tend to suck massive balls, but the extent to which they changed the characters, dialogue and plot shocks me so much, I'm having trouble believing if the creators even read/watched the manga/anime, or if they just read the summary. Even though this dumpsterfire wouldn't do even a fucking summary justice.
Dylan : agreed. The CGI on the shinagami was bad, but the characters more than made up for it. TV Nippon’s version of L was so spot-on he really seemed like he’d just stepped right out of the anime. I’m tough on adaptations of original content I love (like the Death Note manga) but I’ll concede that one was actually pretty damn good.
I watched the movie with my bf and we had to stop after about 15min in because I couldn't stop raging while watching it. Having read the manga and seen the anime and the Japanese movie, I was not only deeply disappointed, but also just furious at what they've done to this masterpiece...
You know, if the studio had just changed the title to "Death Note 2: Coming to America", not call the protagonist Light and simply stick to the book's rules this could've been a kinda dark comedy.
This is it. This is the best review. I found a few changes mildly interesting-but just as you said the changes weren't needed and added nothing. I was so sure that after Light and whats-her-name had their falling-out Light would go it alone. I thought that because Misa...I mean, Mia made the decision to kill Light's father so flippantly his focus would shift from boobies to justice. I was very wrong. The romance plot was annoying not only because it dumbed down Light's motivations-but why would I root for a character who gladly engages in an unhealthy relationship with a girl who tried to kill his father??? Great video. I subscribed!
I love you. I love this review. One thing we gotta clear up though-from a dirty blonde who gets mistaken as a brunette constantly-LIGHT HAS BLONDE HAIR THAT'S HIS HAIR WAS DYED I'M TRIGGERED STOP BLOND-ERASING HIM. But, yeah, Nat Wolf's hair looked dumb in the movie.
man, you are so insightful and well-articulated. Love your methodical approach to reviews and i hope to watch a film of yours in the future, i know that would be a masterpiece.
11:00 - A lot could have been fixed by having us see "light" give "misa" the kira smile before making clear he intentionally let her go. You immediately make it clear he has a plan an intrigue the audience to know what the plan was. And ofc, different music and facial expressions XD
This has to be one of the best honest reviews/rants I have ever seen. You laid out your points and explained them so well and elegantly and you spoke your opinion, unlike these other reviewers who tell their subscribers what they want to hear just for more views and subs. I'm glad I discovered your channel sir, respect.
"Let the right one in" is a Swedish film based on the Swedish book with the same name ("Låt den rätta komma in"). heh. 5 years late to the party! Great video, I really enjoy your channel.
I just can't digest that he tells a stranger about the book and the crimes he has already done and them shouting in the college as if everyone around them was deaf. I wish I could write their names on the Death Note again❤️
I love when people argue that it’s impossible to read subtitles on a show where they don’t speak English...because of course everyone in the world has a good enough grasp of English to not need subtitles on all the (primarily US) media that’s exported. Obviously. Great video and very well argued points. :)
And there were many ways to avoid saying the French film Breathless was based on... like how even if I know the Asian film title I'll describe it to a native speaker to hear their more correct pronunciation. Hashtag BollywoodNights
I think what you had to say about the subtitles and foreign films is absolutely correct. This video is two years old, but you saying that reminded me of Bong Joon-ho (director of Parasite) saying that if people can get over that one inch wall of subtitles they can be open to many amazing movies. It's part of why I've always preferred subs to dubs in anime, save for a few (Panty & Stocking and Ghost Stories).
Thi movie doesn't DESERVE to carry the death note title! This movie movie doesn't even deserve to be considered A MOVIE! It's like some 13 year old emo idiot only wiki'd the plot of the anime, just barely skimmed it, and being born into money he decided to shit out a movie based on the wiki article that he didn't even thoroughly read! It's INSULTING!
Super late comment, but if they did have to make a live action adaptation (which they didn’t) it wouldn’t have hurt to separate in into a mini series, similar to the first it. Separate each major part into its own film, like the first one could be about light learning how to use the death note and the climax be him beating the FBI agents and claiming his first massive victory over L, which would make his defeat in the end satisfying
Steven Jeanrolus thank you! I'm still a relatively new channel, but the subscription rate has increased drastically in the last month or so; thanks for the support
So manga and anime light= psychopath with a god complex. Film Light= generic high school kid with cliche "he's evil because he was bullied at school" backstory.
What’s tragic is that if this was a sequel/prequel it could have been super cool. The Death Note has had many masters, as the anime mentioned. Could we have watched someone else’s story instead? Keep the blond American and his psycho girlfriend, but change the names and make it a completely new story. What if he laughed off the instruction pages and used it like a regular note book? Imagine the horror when he wrote a friend’s name inside and their death was on him. What if he turned the book into the police, and someone there stole and abused it? There are infinite possibilities, and we know that Netflix can sometimes have brilliant ideas.
I’m honestly so glad that they made the live action movie for one reason and one reason only: I had never gotten around to watching the anime, so when the movie came out I watched it. I said “wow, there’s no way the anime could be THAT bad” which led me to watch the anime. So thank you Netflix for making a movie that awful
Well, I am not really against anime adaptations if you can make original and actually good. Like Nolan did a somewhat adaptation of paprika in inception. Inception doesn't take away anything from paprika other than the object used, they had their own plot and characters in it. I'm not really against adaptations if they are good, but there has never really been a good adaptation!
Really like your video. You are so right about all this points. They just make this life action versions because it is easy money. They are building on a already known name and know people will watch it. I think this is one of the biggest problems today. It's the same with all the sequels and prequels. This makes it harder for new stuff to find a ground, because there are already so many new versions of old, known stuff people will watch first. (I found a little error; let the right one in is a swedish film)
Finally Taylor, something we can both agree on! While you and I don't always share the same views, it's nice to see an intelligent teenager who examines and cares about the stories being written for today. There's only about a 7-8 year gap between us, but I know I was not as well versed in the art of storytelling and film-making at your age as you are now. Keep up the good work, my friend!
great video! I loved how you talked about what get's lost when people watch the American versions of films. This is such an annoying thing and the films always feel rather dumbed down. I can't really understand why people excuse these mediocre films. Most of them aren't entertaining in any way..(at least to me). One thing confused me though: isn't "let the right one in" swedish?
Hey that bit about live-action adaptations being disrespectful to the animation medium made me very happy. As an animation major, I’ve been trying to explain this to people for forever and nobody listens haha. And to be honest loved your take on how Americans have to Americanize everything. Americans need to learn to get outside their circle and connect with other cultures. Anyways my friend and I watched this recently for the meme and you covered a lot of what I was thinking during that experience, great take. I will say I thought L’s actor got his voice down to a T, comparing to the english dub of the anime. I also liked the idea of L coming into possession of the Death Note, (pretending this is an AU or something,) but then the movie doesn’t go anywhere with that so I can’t even count that in its favor.
Your point about some people not wanting to watch a film just because it is in a language they can't understand is so pertinent and so trenchant. With subtitles in many languages nowadays, people can easily watch these films. It is simply owing to the narrow-mindedness of many in the English-speaking world who believe that English-language films (or American or European, non-English or English language films for that matter) are inherently superior that they harbour that attitude. They think that any non-western film based on a non-western cultural or social context is unwatchable, and for them, it is because they find it hard to appreciate their contexts.
Great review! I watched movie before the series and I was so shocked by it just being the bad movie, not just adaptation. In anime Light does some shady stuff we get to know about in couple of episodes, but it is done gracefully. Misa is annoying in anime but at least she is interesting as a character when compared to that emotional psychopath in the movie. For me it is really weird that Americans remake foreign movies. The strangest of all for me was Girl with a dragon tattoo (Men who hate women).
the only thing i have that kind of goes against what you said was the part about L not being athletic in the books released after the manga like the labb murder case they talk about how L is athletic and does things like martial arts
Totally agree with this review except for one tiny nitpick. In canon L seems to know some variation of capoeira or at least he exhibits something similar to it (highlighted in the anime when he gets into a fight with Light and in at the end of the DN novel) so I'm guessing that for some inexplicable reason the movie runners decided to change or extend that to parkour for this movie. No idea why, but possible reason for that there.
