Death Note: L Change the World (2008)

A spin-out sequel to the popular Japanese thriller. This time it focuses on the character "L."

Director:

Hideo Nakata

Writers:

Tsugumi Ôba (story and characters), Takeshi Obata (story and characters)

Stars:

Ken'ichi Matsuyama, Sota Aoyama, David Bueno

Cast

Credited cast:
Ken'ichi Matsuyama	...	L
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sota Aoyama	...	Detective Matsuda
David Bueno	...	Scientist
Shunji Fujimura	...	Watari
Tatsuya Fujiwara	...	Light Yagami
Mayuko Fukuda	...	Maki Nikaido
Narushi Fukuda	...	Boy
Sei Hiraizumi	...	Dr. Koichi Matsudo
Shigeki Hosokawa	...	FBI Agent Ray
Renji Ishibashi	...	Shin Kagami
Yûta Kanai	...	Tamotsu Yoshizawa
Yûki Kudô	...	Dr. Mikiko Kujo
Tim Man	...	Scientist
Bokuzô Masana	...	Asao Konishi
Thomas J. Melesky	...	Arms Dealer (voice)

Storyline

A spin-off of the popular Death Note films, 'L: Change The World' focuses on the legendary detective L as he uses his final 23 days to solve crimes all over the world. When a young girl and boy come to him for aid, L is soon faced with what may be his most difficult case yet: stopping a group of corrupted scientists from spreading a lethal virus throughout the earth.

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title | 

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Taglines:

The final death note showdown!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros [Japan] Warner Bros. [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese French Italian Thai English

Release Date:

2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Death Note 2: Succesorul lui L

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Horipro, Nikkatsu Pictures, Nippon Television Network (NTV)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

(at around 2h) The robot that L gives Near at the end of the movie is the same robot that is shown in the anime series that belongs to Near.

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Goofs

(at around 12 mins) When a helicopter gunship fires a rocket at a pickup truck and destroys it, it is clear that at least one of the 7 round rocket pods is full, in spite of the helicopter firing both pods earlier.

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Quotes

L: No matter how gifted, you alone cannot change the world.
[Straightens up]
L: But that's the wonderful thing about this world.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits there is a scene showing L sitting on a chair eating chocolate. He then turns around and walks off. It then says L Lawliet rests in peace.

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Connections

Followed by Death Note: New Generation (2016)

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Soundtracks

I'll be waiting
Song by Lenny Kravitz

User Reviews

Spin-Off

I imagine you have seen or at least heard of the anime/manga "Death Note". I'm not gonna spoil anything about "Death Note", but as you can imagine, as with every spin-off, you have one major character from "Death Note" appearing in this movie.

This character is none other than "L". A mysterious but very funny character, with some very weird and funny addiction habits. I don't know if this spin-off is based on an anime too, but I can say, that apart from a really fresh and exciting beginning, this movie lacks many things from the original "Death Note" (series). The actor who plays "L" (the same guy who played him in Death Note too) is fantastic in his role depiction. True to his anime roots, but only as much as the story allows him to be.

And there lies the problem. This movie is way too serious (a few absurd moments still exist) and way too dramatic. A shame then, that the thriller elements can't save the movie either. The best moments lie in the comedy or character (mostly L) bits, but even those can't save the movie entirely. My tip: Watch both "Death Note" movies and the anime series instead!