L : Change the world

L : Change the world.

Let me first begin by saying that in fantasia there are 3 types of movies.

Movies that are good no matter what venue you watch them

Movies that are good to watch at fantasia

Movies that suck no matter where they are watched.

This is a movie that is good no matter where you watch it. Truly funny and smart story.
here is a bit about this movie. This movie is essentially a spin-off from the Death Note movies (which in my opinion are a blind-buy must if anyone ever finds them on DVD) which although doesn't carry the battles of the mind like the Death Notes movies do, is still a very nice and entertaining movie that is a very nice addition to the franchise.

L (a.k.a Light Yigami) which possesses both Death Notes books after his student with the murderous student, decides to write in the book his own death and gives himself 23 days to live. During that time a vicious virus is unleashed in Thailand and L is given the task to solve the case, find an antidote and like the title suggests yes... change the world.

There are 2 things that practically make a movie great.

Story: this story is simplistic but it works. A simple task of solving a case and finding an antidote creates a nice setting to allow exploration of this eccentric character.

Entertainment: with the eccentricity of L we get to laugh practically at everything he does. From the way he punches the keyboard, to how he keeps his identity a secret to his diet and even how he toys with those around him. This movie doesn't have many dull moments

The director here is none other than Hideo Nakata. The creator of none other but the famous Ringu, Ringu 2 and dark waters movies. There is little wrong that this director has done in the past and still continues in this movie. Although there aren't as many risks here, he sticks to basics which sets the tone of this movie around exploring L's personality.

Overall this movie is what we want to see and frankly I expect from Japanese movies.

Great story, eccentricity, comedy, an expected amount of cheesiness that invoke our entire range of emotions.

Again, although not as good as the Death Notes movies, this is a fantastic addition.
I wish I can find these movies on dvd.

Ratings: 7.5/10

Daniel Moscovici