As the macabre fantasy "Death Note" continues, the battle of wits between Light Yagami (the serial killer Kira) and investigator L escalates. The two teenagers meet when they take the entrance exam for a prestigious university. Although he's as brilliant as he is arrogant, Light finds himself hard-pressed to keep up with L in their deadly game of cat and mouse. Director Tetsuro Araki plays up the physical differences between the lead characters: Light is cool, handsome, and well-groomed; twitchy, slovenly L seems to think with his bare feet as well as his redoubtable brain. The appearance of a copycat killer who poses as Kira shocks both Light and L. A model named Misa has acquired her own notebook and attendant "Shinigami" (god of death). It will be interesting to see where this subplot goes, but it feels like unnecessary distraction that takes viewer away from central duel. The Special Edition comes with a collectible figure of L in his characteristic crouching pose. (Rated Teen+ Older Teen, suitable for ages 15 and older: grotesque imagery, violence) "--Charles Solomon"