You've probably heard this from almost every other critic who's talked about this film; but, here goes. I am not familiar the manga that this film is based on outside of having an idea anout. So, I really can't say whether or not this is a faithful adaptation (from what I've read, its probably in the "not faithful" category). That being said, I can say that I was thoroughly entertained by Netflix's live-action adaptation of Death Note.
Is this film flawed? Yeah. But, these shortcomings don't keep this film from being pretty good when its all said and done. For those who don't know, the whole idea here is that there's this notebook whoever's name is written down in it (alongside a physically possible demise for them to meet) will die. Even knowing nothing about the source material, this is a pretty awesome premise with a lot of potential that this film takes advantage of. My only gripe in this aspect is that there could've been a couple more creative kills; but, the gore that director Adam Wingard does give us here is pretty satisfying. Speaking of which, I really love his approach to this adaptation. Not only because I really admire his directing style (I'll get back to that in just a moment), but also because he throws the idea of repeating stuff from the source material right out the window. Aside from that, Wingard's directorial flourishes are on full display here. From the striking use of color to the dark sense of humor to the impeccable use of music (both the score* and soundtrack), this is very much in the vein of his other gems like You're Next and The Guest.
With the exception of one in particular, the performances are pretty serviceable. Nat Wolff is fine in the lead (even if his acting does let the movie down in certain moments). Margaret Qualley is kind of interesting as his girlfriend and Keith Stanfield is pretty good as the detective tracking the two of them down...and then, there's Willem Dafoe. Where to begin with him? Okay, first off, casting him as a cackling, beady-eyed demon is a stroke of genius; but, the best
part about it is he steals every scene that he's in, despite being kept in the shadows for almost the entirety of the runtime. I could just hear that cackle over and over again and still be perfectly happy. If they do make a sequel to this (which would be cool, I'll admit), they've gotta bring him back. He's easily one of the best (if not THE best) things this film has going for it.
Ultimately, the best way I can describe this flick is asking you to imagine a mixture of urban vigilante movies and schlocky horror flicks from the 80s/90s underlined with a somewhat inconsistent (yet, still amusing) sense of black comedy. Death Note makes for perfect late-night weekend viewing, if this kind of cinematic junk food is up your alley.
DEATH NOTE gets a...
GOOD TIME out of TEN
*I hope this isn't like Ghost in the Shell where they didn't release the score because Atticus and Leopold Ross turn in some tremendous work here.
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