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What's Right and Wrong with the New Live-Action Death Note!

And how to right the wrongs!

By Shane SuggsPublished 7 years ago 5 min read
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Just mere months ago, the first trailer for the new live-action Death Note movie was released onto YouTube by Netflix. Not too long after the release, we started to see a love/hate relationship with the teaser, and that's to be expected. Yes, there was some great stuff in the teaser trailer (Ryuk mostly), but there were also some things that we didn't agree with entirely. Now before we get into this list, I just wanna say that while yes, we as anime fans do have a rough history with film adaptations *COUGH* Dragon Ball *COUGH*, I actually do see potential and have hope in this live-action adaptation! So with that being said, let's get right into the list!

RIGHT #1

To start this off on a positive note, let's go over a right that they successfully pulled off; Netflix. Yes, the first right isn't even the trailer or film itself, but the outlet in which the film will be released! You see, while Death Note is a wildly popular anime to us fans, it's still exactly that; an anime. Now let's not exaggerate ourselves; anime isn't as popular as we'd like to see it as. The product has a cult following to put it best and it isn't one of those things that you can walk up to a stranger and strike up a conversation about. With this being said, I believe Netflix would be the best outlet for this film as subscribers to Netflix are usually into the more lesser known series and films. This helps as well as the Death Note series is actually ON Netflix, so subscribers interested in watching when it releases can easily prep themselves for what's about to come... assuming the film adaptation will be anything like the anime... nevertheless though, the worst decision they've could've made would be to put it out to theaters. Again, let's be truthful with ourselves and step out of our weeaboo shoes; while the plot concept of a notebook that kills people is enticing, not many people are going to want to pay $20 for tickets and popcorn to see it. Therefore, Netflix is the better outlet as you'd only have to pay the monthly subscription fee... plus enjoying it in the comfort of your own home is a bonus too.

WRONG #1

The first and in my opinion, the BIGGEST wrong of this entire thing is the casting; more specifically Light and L. Nothing against Nat Wolff; the guy's an amazing actor and he can do no wrong... it's just when I think of Light Yagami, my first thought isn't that guy who used to be a group called "Naked Brothers Band." My other issue, though not as big of a deal as Nat, is with the actor that plays L. Again, nothing against LaKeith, but when I think of a live action L, I like to see the same awkward, pale weirdo that was in the anime. Not to say this L isn't as good. I'm sure LaKeith will pull off this L just as well as the anime rendition was portrayed. In the end though, as long as I get to see Nat Wolff dramatically eat a potato chip and LaKeith Stanfield sit like an awkward turtle, these wrongs will just be afterthoughts in the back of my head!

RIGHT #2

While we're still on the topic of casting, let's just go ahead and get out of the way that Willem DaFoe was the PERFECT choice for Ryuk! Now while it's still fuzzy from the trailers whether he's going to ACTUALLY play Ryuk or just voice the CGI, it simply doesn't matter because the guy's got the look AND the voice for the job, and to be honest, can we really say the same thing about any other actor? We already know the dude can play the creepy, ominous role AMAZINGLY from his work in Spider-Man, and it's safe to say we're going to get another great, if not GREATER, performance in this live-action adaptation!

WRONG #2

A big problem some of us have with the first trailer is that it gives off a what I like to call "Michael Bay" vibe. What I mean by this is that while the anime series kept to its "Glorified Chess Game" atmosphere where nothing was over the top. For those who've seen the series remember that some of the best scenes had nothing to do with thrilling action or intense chases, but were scenes that shocked you and blew your mind with some of the most elaborate twists and turns. That's what was so great about the anime; you watched these plans develop as Light and L tried to outsmart one another and it kept you on your toes with suspense rather than action. What I got from the trailer, however, is that these guys are going for the opposite end of the spectrum. They want you on the edge of your seat because of a fast-paced chase scene or a falling Ferris Wheel at the carnival. I'd say the wrong can be made right, but the reality is audiences these days just don't have the attention span to watch through half an hour to an hour of build up to a dramatic climax. Reverting back to the old slow-paced atmosphere for the live action adaptation would just tempt those watching to fast-forward through, and no director wants that!

With only two trailers out at the time of me writing this, there were only so many things to point out. As time goes on and hopefully one or two more trailers are released, maybe this list can be expanded as we learn more about what's going to be in the film. Until then though, all we can do is wait and see...

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About the Creator

Shane Suggs

I'm an avid horror and wrestling fan. No debate; the 80s were Horror's Golden Age. As for wrestling, I appreciate all eras from the early days in the 70s to the modern era.

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