Wonderful character development!

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

After first film's unexpected finale, this one continues adopting the manga storyline while adding some minor original twists, leading to a completely changed and, in my opinion, improved ending.Although bad visual effects and mediocre acting might turn some people off. If you can look past that, and if you weren't satisfied with the original manga ending, this might be just what you are looking for.

If you haven't seen the first 'Death Note' film then don't watch this until you do as it is the second part of the same story; no time is wasted introducing the characters or explaining what is going on. In the first story the police with the help of the mysterious L were hunting a killer they had dubbed Kira but the viewer knows to be Light Yagama; son of the police chief, as this starts a new Death Note appears at the feet of beautiful TV presenter Misa Amane just as the man trying to kill her dies of a heart attack. She decides to become 'Kira II' and sets about killing more criminals as well as anybody who is openly critical of Light. She engineers a meeting with Light and offers to help him kill L, however things don't go according to plan and she is captured. In a strange twist Light turns himself in claiming that he doesn't know for certain that he isn't Kira. While the two of them are in custody they give up their memories of what they did and the Death Note is passed on to another TV presenter. She quickly sets about killing and it looks as if Light and Misa are in the clear… or are they? This film was a good conclusion to the story with some nice twists that I failed to see coming. Erika Toda made a welcome addition to the main cast as Misa and Tatsuya Fujiwara and Takeshi Kaga continued to perform well as Light and L respectively. Along with another Death Note another god of death is introduced; Rem like Rauk he is a CGI creation but also looks pretty good. If you saw the first film you really should see this as you'll only have seen half the story if you don't.

This film must be seen in conjunction with the first "Death Note", as they are more complete and fulfilling together. Together, they were as one film - one magnificent film, filled with moments and story with much to follow and belong to. Independently, it was wonderful as well. I found every part of this film to be interesting, the characters to be interesting - people to follow and care about and hope for and more. But, when the final part of the film was laid before me, I was caught in an unsuspecting emotional realm only the best films can manage to achieve. As with the first "Death Note", there are imperfections. Yet, surrealism brings forgiveness - and that is one element that makes these films magnificent - along with fabulous acting. Again, the actors that play "L" and "Light" pull it off, as well as many others. Watch this patiently without prejudgment and you just may be immensely satisfied and pleased to have spent your time investing in it. Yes, a wonderful film down to the last drop of tear, even more so than the first… see them both together, in order.

After finishing the first Death Note film, I was raring and ready when I began watching The Last Name. While the first film was a new experience, after watching it you are used to its little quirks and the second film has a much more familiar feel to it. Your used to the CGI look of the death gods and you know the characters much more this time around. Therefore, this film definitely is much more enjoyable than the first.Once again, Ken'ichi steals the show as L, even besting his last performance. He truly is a prodigy not only in Japanese film, but worldwide. Tatsuya also does another good job, switching between two persona (Innocent Light and Evil Kira) fairly well, but absolutely shines in the last scene, along with Chief Yagami (Takeshi Kaga). I also felt the CGI improved significantly this time, with Rem showcasing the best CGI cinema has to offer.Almost everything about this film is better than the first, but what really stood out to me was the climactic ending, combining a similar outcome to the anime one with a different scenario and characters. The ending is superb and really is what this film is worth watching for, if nothing else, as, to be honest, it perfectly captures how the original anime should have ended. If the anime had ended the way it did in The Last Name, I, and many fans would be a lot happier. While I still put the anime on an unattainable pedestal, this film is definitely not far below it.Hamish Kearvell A.K.A Screaming Japan Productions - www.myspcace.com/screamingjapanproductions.