Death Note II: The Last Name Review

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(More customer reviews)Based on the manga and anime series that has captured the attention of viewers worldwide, "Death Note" the live action film makes its way to the US on DVD.
"Death Note" is an adaption of the popular manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata and stars Tatsuya Fujiwara (known for his work in the popular "Battle Royale" films), directed by Shusuke Kaneko (known for the 2006 hit film "Gamera") and another theme song "Snow (Hey Oh)" by the popular band RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.
The sequel is the conclusion to the thrilling cat and mouse chase as the murderer Kira (Light Yagami, who has attained a large cult following for killing off criminals) tries to find a way to kill his nemesis, the top investigator in the police force known as L. While L suspects Light Yagami as being Kira.
The film is 140 minutes long, pacing was indeed well done and overall, despite being different from the manga and anime series, both Shusuke Kaneko and Tetsuya Oishii managed to come up with a thrilling, dark and gripping storyline that remains faithful to the overlying theme of the film.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
The film is featured in 16×9 anamorphic widescreen and was originally shot in 35mm (1:85:1 ratio). My main interest was to see how the CGI would be for the shinagami Ryuk and Rem. And how that would translate on film and the two shinigami look exactly like it does in the anime and manga series but Rem seems to look more less detailed than Ryuk. But overall, the CG works with the film.
As for audio, the film is featured in both English and Japanese via digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo. I typically dislike English dubbing of Asian language films but what brought a smile to my face was that VIZ used the original voice actors of the anime series (which had great English dub work) on this series. So, for those who are fond of Brandon Swaile's Light, Alessandro Juliani's L, Brian Drummond's Ryuk, Shannon Chan-Kent as Misa and the other English dub voice actors will be happy to know that they did the English dub for the live film. That surprised me and definitely major kudo points for Viz Media for keeping things consistent in the voice acting.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Special features in the film include the Death Note anime trailer, the Japanese and US trailer and Viz Pictures Presents. The primary featurette is "the Making of Death Note II", a 23-minute featurette which includes interviews with the director and the main talent involved with the film. Definitely good insight of what the talent felt about the characters and the challenges that they faced. For example, Ken'ichi Matsuyama (L) having to constantly eat sweets. He mentions that he had to do it so much that he couldn't tolerate it anymore and couldn't swallow. He just spit it out after the shot. Also, explanations by director Shusuke Kaneko on differences from the live film and the manga version. Overall, a solid featurette.
"DEATH NOTE II: The Last Name" was extremely popular in Japan. Having been #1 in the box office for five weeks and earning 5.5 Billion yen in Japan, the film was indeed a success.
I enjoyed the film a lot and the pacing was much better with the second film but if anything was amazing, it was Tetsuya Oishii's screenplay. It is challenging to get so much storyline from the manga and making a live action film. There is so much story in the "Death Note" manga that it would be difficult to translate all that in two films. So, there had to be major differences in the live film versus the manga and unfortunately, for many films based from a long manga series, they don't succeed because they try to condense everything into one film.
As for "Death Note II: The Last Name", Oishii manages to create a new storyline that is so different from the manga series but yet manages to stay within the confines of the main focal point. Kira vs. L and finding a right conclusion.
Having the storyline so different from the manga, I was pleasantly surprised by it but by the film's end, I was rather pleased. Both Kaneko and Oishii pulled it off.
What I love about this film is that Kira and L are two individuals who are intelligent and the way they try to outdo each other, is always amazing. In a way, it's like a chess game between these two as they do what they can to outwit each other.
Also, I enjoyed seeing how many other characters were integrated into the overall storyline. And knowing how different this film is from the manga and anime series, I was satisfied with the conclusion of the film and overall, I really enjoyed the sequel. Good storytelling by Oishii and managing to pull of a storyline that is just as satisfying as the manga but yet quite different.
If you enjoyed the first live film, then you will definitely want to pick up the sequel. "DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME" is a thrilling, suspenseful and enjoyable film. Highly recommended!

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DEATH NOTE: The Last Name is a sequel to the movie DEATH NOTE, which closely follows major plot elements from the original manga series, while featuring several new key story differences. The story begins on the heels of the first movie as Light Yagami joins the investigation team in pursuit of the serial killer known as "Kira." While L still strongly suspects that Light is "Kira," Light tries to uncover L's real name so he can kill him with his Death Note. Confusingly enough, a new rash of murders all around the world are taking place, with a Second Kira" claiming responsibility. Light learns the identity of the Second Kira and suggests they join forces to get rid of L. Will L be able to catch "Kira" before he is killed? Bilingual (English/Japanese), featuring star voice actors from Anime series Director s interview Making of Death Note Director & Cast Profile

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Death Note - Vol. 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)"Death Note" the anime is finally arriving on American shores and it's about time. The manga is hugely popular in both Asia and the USA and has even been banned in China due to it's perceived bad influence on students. There have also been two live-action films. So how does this story translate to the small screen? Having not read the comic, I saw this show with fresh eyes and it practically ruled my life until I finished it. This is one of the most intriguing, complex, and unique television shows of any genre and you will be missing out if you choose to pass it by.
The story focuses on a boy, Light Yagami, who comes across a notebook at school one day. He takes it home and reads it's contents, finding instructions for using this "Death Note" (as it's labeled). Any human whose name is written in it, dies. Naturally, one would assume that this was a joke, so he tries it out on a criminal holding hostages live on television. It works, all right. A normal child would probably burn it, or at least hide it away and never use it again, but Light is an exceptional boy, one with an (almost) unrivalled intellect and a severe hatred of crime; not to mention a megalomaniacal streak a mile across. So he decides to use his new found power to rid the world of criminals and establish a new world order with him playing God and delivering justice as he sees fit. Shortly after finding the Note, Light meets it's owner, a shinigami (death god) named Ryuk who is one of the most psychotic-looking anime/manga creations ever; like the Joker had a baby with a feathered demon or something. So why would a shinigami like Ryuk want to leave a Death Note in the human world? Why, because he was bored and that's just how Ryuk rolls. He's a disturbingly likeable character with an addiction to apples -which symbolize original sin, of course, and serve as kind of a symbol for the series- and an antagonistic nature that has him constantly cackling in the background as the events of the series play out. He also gives Light somebody to talk too in his solitude, lest the series get too bogged down with voice-overs.
Soon, people take notice of the deaths and the hunt for Light is on. He is dubbed "Kira", a Japanese corruption of "killer", and a special investigation team is formed, headed by a reclusive genius detective that goes by the name "L". L's intellect matches Light's and the chess-like move-and-countermove game between them is mind-boggling to watch and forms the base of the series. As a character, L is a true original: a pale-faced boy with deep black owlish eyes, a series of of unsettlingly bizarre habits and mannerisms, and an insatiable sweet tooth. He is the closest thing "Death Note" has to a true hero (discounting the side characters such as Light's father, who risk their lives by aiding in L's investigation) since the protagonist is a cold-blooded killer who soon begins hunting and killing those sent to investigate Kira. The result of all this is a wild ride that will leave your head spinning at times and make you appreciate just how good writing can get for a television series.
Once you start this show, you will not be able to stop as the plot constantly thickens, more characters are introduced and killed off, earth-shattering developments and brilliant schemes play out before your stunned eyes, and the story just keep adding more and more layers until you feel immersed in this world of constant struggle for the future of the earth. All this from one notebook. It was a cool concept to start with, but the unbelievable writing is what makes this anime must-see material. Welcome to your new obsession.

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Meet Light Yagami, a brilliant but bored high school student whose life is changed when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami, or god of death, named Ryuk. When Light discovers that any human whose name is written in the book dies, he vows to use its power to rid the world of evil. But every action has its consequences, and Light soon finds himself in a life or death battle of wits with the mysterious genius detective called L. Humanity itself becomes the battleground to determine what form of justice will prevail!

Episode 1: Rebirth
Brilliant but bored high school student Light Yagami suddenly finds himself holding the power of life and death in his hands--the power of the Death Note! He decides to rid the world of evil--by killing off criminals one by one. When the murders start to pile up, genius detective L is on the case, and an epic battle of wits unfolds!

Episode 2: Confrontation
While the world's criminals continue to drop dead, L meets by computer with representatives from various nations. He requests that a task force be set up in Japan, under the direction of none other than Soichiro Yagami, Light's father!

Episode 3: Dealings
Ryuk, the shinigami, or god of death, who dropped the Death Note into the human world, warns Light that someone is on his trail. Light is troubled that he can't find out the identity of his tracker, and Ryuk suggests an amazing deal...

Episode 4: Pursuit
Light--now known to the world as Kira--tests the Death Note to understand the scope of its powers by killing off six convicts in various ways--and confirms he can control his victims' actions before they die!

Episode 5: Tactics
Soichiro Yagami demands to meet with L in person when he finds out that L has secretly brought FBI agents into Japan. Light, meanwhile, has found a way to get those very FBI agents off the case--permanently!

Episode 6: Unraveling
Light meets a woman at the Police Department with an urgent message for the Kira task force. As son of the chief investigator, Light listens to her story and is startled to discover she has information that could lead to his arrest!

Episode 7: Overcast
Light uses the Death Note to try to get rid of the woman who could get him captured, and is shocked when it doesn't work. Realizing she must have given him an alias, he's got only minutes to find out her real name before she spills her story to the task force!

Episode 8: Glare
L insists on setting up bugs and cameras in the homes of members of the Japanese task force, including the Yagamis'. But Light is a step ahead as usual--he knows he's being watched!

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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Part 3 Review

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(More customer reviews)i'm an avid viewer of anime. i've seen plenty since first tuning into toonami when i was 11 since then i've yet to be as impressed as i was with fullmetal alchemist brotherhood and the original fullmetal alchemist. this anime will make you laugh and cry all in the same episodes. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys anime.

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Edward and Alphonse Elric’s reckless disregard for alchemy’s fundamental laws ripped half of Ed’s limbs from his body and left Al’s soul clinging to a cold suit of armor. To restore what was lost, the brothers scour a war-torn land for the Philosopher’s Stone, a fabled relic which grants the ability to perform alchemy in impossible ways. The Elrics are not alone in their search; the corrupt State Military is eager to harness the artifact’s power. So too are the strange Homunculi and their shadowy creator. The mythical Stone lures exotic alchemists from distant kingdoms, scarring some deeply enough to inspire murder. As the Elrics find their course altered by these enemies and allies, their purpose remains unchanged – and their bond unbreakable.

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Death Note Box Set 2 (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Death Note returns with this Second Set containing the final remaining 17 Episodes, D.N. has such great animation and amazing suspenseful music that make the scenes feel truly epic. Packed with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. It's Anime at It's finest, A must have Even if your not a fan of anime, this series is definitely worth a try.Death Note follows The story of A high school student (Light) who discovers a supernatural notebook, the "Death Note", dropped on Earth by a Shinigami (death god) named Ryuk. The Death Note grants its user the ability to kill anyone whose face they have seen, by writing the victim's name in the notebook. Light's attempt to create and rule a world cleansed of evil using the notebook.
Soon after, the number of deaths of reported criminals catches the attention of the a mysterious detective known only as "L". L quickly learns that the serial killer, dubbed by the public as "KIRA" is located in Japan. L also concludes that Kira can kill people without laying a finger on them. Light realizes that L will be his greatest Enemy, and a game of psychological cat and mouse between the two begins.
Volume 2, Description:
THROUGH THE POWER OF THE DEATH NOTE, LIGHT YAGAMI IS CLOSE TO CREATING A WORLD IN WHICH HE HOLDS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OVER RIGHT AND WRONG. BUT MANY OBSTACLES REMAIN, INCLUDING A SECOND DEATH NOTE USER WHO HAS HIS OWN NEFARIOUS GOALS, AND THE TWO BRILLIANT PROTEGES OF L, THE GENIUS DETECTIVE WHO ONCE VOWED TO EXPOSE THE IDENTITY OF THE DEATH NOTE'S OWNER. LIGHT IS CONFIDENT THAT HE CAN PREVAIL, BUT AS THE SURVIVING PLAYERS IN THE GAME CONVERGE FOR A FINAL SHOWDOWN, WHOSE NAME WILL BE THE LAST ONE WRITTEN IN THE DEATH NOTE?
Death Note Box Set: 2 includes the following 17 Episodes on 4 Discs plus a bonus disc:
21 "Performance"
22 "Guidance"
23 "Frenzy"
24 "Revival"
25 "Silence"
26 "Renewal"
27 "Abduction"
28 "Impatience"
29 "Father"
30 "Justice"
31 "Transfer"
32 "Selection"
33 "Scorn"
34 "Vigilance"
35 "Malice"
36 "1.28"
37 "New World"
Special Features" On The Volume 2 Box Set:
* Disc 6 - Behind the Scenes with Colleen Wheeler "Rem" and Kavadas "Higuchi"
* Disc 7 - Behind the Scenes with Alessandro Juliani "L", and French Tickner "Watari"
* Disc 8 - Behind the Scenes with David Hurwitz `Mello and Cathy Weseluck "Near"
* Disc 9 - Behind the Scenes with Heather Doerksen "Kiyomi" Kirby Morrow "Mikami and Brad Swaile "Light"
*Disc 10 BONUS DISC- Behind the Scenes with the Japanese voice actors.
*Original Japanese Death Note interstitials.
*Interview with animation director and character designer.
*Conversations with the Japanese cast and crew.
*Expanded art gallery.
Like The Previous Season Set, They Are Released In a 5 Disc Box Set and Presented in Wide Screen Format. Also Contains, Both The Japanese and English (Dub) Language with Optional Subtitles. (Region 1)

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Item Name: Death Note Box Set 2; Studio:Viz Video

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Death Note Box Set 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)I first caught "DEATH NOTE" on television. I've heard so many impressive things in regards to the storyline and also saw the series featured on NPR. To get the critical acclaim that it has worldwide, this series must be special.
And special is what "DEATH NOTE" truly is. From beginning to end, this series has just grabbed my attention because of its well-written cat vs. mouse storyline.
"DEATH NOTE" is a 37-episode TV series that was created by Studio Madhouse and featured on Japanese television in 2006-2007 and featured in the US in 2007-2008. The series has spawned a popular manga series, a novel, three live action films and has captured the attention of anime and non-anime fans worldwide.
The series focuses on the character of a very smart high school student named Light Yagami. Bored with his life, he comes across the "Death Note" that has special instructions that if one was to write their names on the Death Note, the person would die. They would die of a heart attack if there were no instructions on how the person is to die. Or die the way the person possesing the Death Note wrote down.
The Death Note is from a Shinigami (death god) named Ryuk who seems to be bored in his own world and thus starts to enjoy how a person like Light starts to use the Death Note.
For Light (who goes by the name Kira), starts out using the Death Note by writing the names of criminals. He starts to win supporters due to his ideology of creating a new world without these criminals. But with so many deaths occuring, the police and the International community begin to fear this serial killer. And along the way, Light is suspected by the police as a person of interest (a person who could be "Kira") and then Light starts to use his Death Note on those who are onto him.
Thus a mysterious detective named L is assigned to the case and the series becomes a compelling storyline of will L find a way to catch Light Yagami or will Light Yagami kill L first? Two geniuses trying to outwit the other in a thrilling storyline that is so unique, I'm confident in saying that it's one of the most original anime to come out in the last decade.
The volume 1 box set features on the first half of the series (twenty episodes, five DVDs, four episodes per disc) as Light Yagami (Kira) moves forward to create his new world, while L and the Kira Task Force try to stop him. Also, that there may be another person in the world who may possess a second Death Note as well.
AUDIO & VIDEO:
"Death Note" was a TV series and I found the animation to be quite cool as it showcased a dark, stylish feel to it. Featuring a good dose of J-rock and style to it's overall presentation, Studio Madhouse did a wonderful job in this series and bringing out the illustrations of Takeshi Obata and the storyline of Tsugumi Ohba to television. The dark atmosphere really is well displayed in this anime series.
But the most appealing part of this series is the awesome voice acting. Being the Japanese language purist that I am, I watched the series with Japanese voice acting and it was done very well. But I have to admit that I was really impressed by the English dub voice acting.
Brad Swaile as Light Yagami, Battlestar Galactica actor (Felix Gaeta) Alesandro Juliani, Brian Drummond as Ryuk and Shannon Chan-Kent as Misa did a tremendous job. As did the other English voice actors. A job well done!
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Personally, I wasn't sure what kind of "special features" would be included on the DVD box set but you do get a really awesome behind-the-scenes interview with the English voice dub talent. Here are the special features featured on the Volume 1 Box Set:
* Disc 1 - Behind the Scenes with Brad Swaile "Light", Clean Opening and Ending
* Disc 2 - Behind the Scenes with Alessandro Juliani "L", Japanese Director and Character Designer Interviewer
* Disc 3 - Behind the Scenes with Brian Drummond "Ryuk"
* Disc 4 - Behind the Scenes with Shannon Chan-Kent "Misa"
* Disc 5 - Behind the Scenes with Chris Britton, Vincent Tong and Trevor Devall "The Kira Task Force"
And on each disc, production art and trailers are featured on each disc. What I enjoyed about the behind-the-scenes footage is that they were lengthy and not super short. You really get a good insight on the actor's take (from the beginning of the series) of their character, the challenges they faced in doing the vocal work and much more. So, it was very cool to have these extras included on each disc.
I can't tell you how awesome this TV series is. "Death Note" is truly special as it really show how power can corrupt but taking that cat versus mouse type of storyline of two geniuses trying to outwit each other.
There are literally so many twists and turns in this anime series that it really captures your attention and has you on the edge of your seat.
As for the DVD box set, I think it's just great that Viz Media chose to feature 20 episodes of the series and sell the box set for a great price! I definitely like Viz Media/Shonen Jump Home Video really doing anime fans a great service by following a US TV Season Box Set style of pricing instead of selling the episodes as separate volumes. You're definitely getting your bang for the buck.
Overall, a well-acted anime series (on both the Japanese and English side of things), cool characters, well-written episodes, stylish animation and a unique, compelling anime series that I highly recommend! A+

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A 5-disc box set containing the first 20 episdoes of Death Note!Meet Light Yagami, a brilliant but bored high school student whose life is changed when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami, or god of death, named Ryuk. When Light discovers that any human whose name is written in the book dies, he vows to use its power to rid the world of evil. But every action has its consequences, and Light soon finds himself in a life or death battle of wits with the mysterious genius detective called L. Humanity itself becomes the battleground to determine what form of justice will prevail!Bilingual (English/Japanese)

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