Let's be clear the Death Note movies were works of art and mostly loyal to the original material, the performances were fantastic and they delivered on every front.
I was deeply concerned about this L themed spin off for a number of reasons, primarily because it's very existence felt like a cash grab.
Immediately it felt like it was part of the franchise, integrated into the last film and following on nicely.
Of course if the movies had followed the original material this movie for obvious reasons would never have been possible.
Trouble is now it was entirely L's story and could he carry a film by himself? Honestly, no. And that's a shame because bringing L into other cases could in itself be brilliant and worthy of an entire television show but somehow, someway it simply didn't work.
L himself was great, the actor once again knocks it out of the park but is dropped into a non-Death Note themed story that simply isn't worthy of him or the franchise.
Thanks to him and the general quality of the film it's still quite good but isn't as smart as we've come to expect from the series and just not that great.
Add a team of interesting characters with L and I stand by this being perfect for a television show but as a movie it just doesn't stack up.
The Good:
L is perfect once again
Is following on from the events of the main movies
The Bad:
Story is very bland
Not as well written as the Death Note movies
Isn't particularly intelligent
