Review of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

"Didn't find what I was hoping for." That's not so much the case with this film. Perhaps the real strength is that you DO NOT HAVE to look at abstract things like religion, time convolution, or even the age-old classic of "growing up," to derive a wonderful experience. On it's own legs, the movie is genuinely interesting and has many warm moments that just reestablish how likable the characters can be. This alone makes the movie worthwhile and if I were to find a fault it would be that I think it is imperative that potential viewers have watched the prior two seasons for context andcharacter relations; this isn't necessarily bad, but I do acknowledge that the series can seem underwhelming at first. I didn't watch this consecutively after the first two seasons and I think that decision helped me enjoy this as much as I did. I didn't find the original and sequel to be too profound; for each trace of insight or allusion that the two seasons had there just was a sense of untapped potential. I think on the surface, the 'Suzumiya Haruhi' anime's (all together) can simply be enjoyed as a reasonably fun high-school setting show and, for those who wish- the series also has little bursts of themes that you can choose to pursue or just shrug at.

Long story short. Have you ever seen Kubrick's, "The Shining?" Surface wise, it's a well crafted horror movie that does it's job very well- masterfully even. There is, however, a few subtext's that you can explore within that movie through visual cue's and using some subjective insight to make your own little narrative and that makes it even more so interesting. Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu reminds of that sort of thing. Not to spoil it, but there is a scene that takes place in a restaurant and there are two paintings visible within the time we spend there. They could have been anything, even just generic art would have been fine and not even caught my eye- these paintings did and they weren't just random, but seemed to have meaning and metaphor- almost like a flag waving to get your attention.

Reading into it too much? Perhaps, though I think that's where the real strength lies. Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu does what the first two series' did, but with much more impact and even without going that route- the movie itself is very good and definitely worthy of attention. Noteworthy because it's enjoyable whatever path you choose while watching. Very neat little film.