This film is also known as Death Note III and is a spin-off to the Death Note film series, following an original storyline. Director Hideo Nakata has told that he wanted to reveal L's "human side," having not been explored in the other Death Note series. I think he succeeded in that, but the evil characters and the friendly agent are much less elaborated and not convincing. The storyline is also quite trivial and Japanese "overplaying" in dramatic events becomes annoying at times. But as mentioned, Matsuyama is brilliant as before - here, a pleasant not a good example with his habits and manners - and the children playing Near and Maki are also worth watching. Thus, there are still more bright moments than dull/weird ones.
Similar to other Death Note films, this is not for everyone - and definitely not a European-US family film despite of small children in major supporting roles.
Similar to other Death Note films, this is not for everyone - and definitely not a European-US family film despite of small children in major supporting roles.