L carries Death Note spin-off

It's an age-old plot: a group of insane scientists and environmentalists plan to cleanse the earth by spreading a highly contagious virus which kills people within an hour. And, of course, the hero stops the global massacre just in time.

In L: Change The World, the hero is L, the oddball detective from the phenomenal Japanese manga Death Note series.

Although this spin-off is almost totally unrelated to the manga series, the latest version of L - the most distinctive and beloved character in the series - is quite entertaining.

This story finds L in the last 23 days of life after he has written his name on the Death Note - in Death Note: The Last Name. He is approached by two children affected by the virus.

The girl's father died from the virus and L realises she might hold the key to a vaccine which will save the world. He has to save her from the baddies.

The scene where L tries to comfort the girl by making her a sweet snack, is enchanting. The action shots, like L jumping into a moving plane to stop it from crashing into the terminal, add excitement to the film.