The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

Right well I talked about the television series, to not mention the film would be doing the whole thing a disservice since many would argue the film is far superior and that the TV series exists as a precursor to the film. But I do not agree with this notion, even if I do understand where people are coming from with this opinion. To me, the series supports the film and the film supports the series. I don't believe one can survive without the other and you definitely should not watch the movie without seeing the film.



I've spoken before about how the tone of Haruhi is often like a yo-yo, one minute it's up, the next it's down, quiet, then loud. The movie is an entirely different tone to the TV show, it's incredibly melancholic. The music also entirely differentiates from the upbeat jazz of the show with downbeat classical. Not only that but the colour palette is very muted going for far duller colours that are featured in the show.



Basically none of this is taking anything away from the film, it is a visual masterpiece that far exceeds the quality of animation in the show. There are few shots in which the characters are in a static position but the look and visual style of the characters in the show does not change in the film. They all look the same apart from more physicality, particularly in the characters expressions.




Clocking in at around three hours in length it is the longest animated movie I have ever seen, further specifying that this is most definitely not a film for children. Due to the dark, sad tone of the film, I cannot say for the most part that watching this film was an enjoyable experience, but damn it packs one heck of an emotional punch. It's a film with many Sci-Fi elements and yet has a lot of heart, it teaches valuable lessons such as always check your friends are all right, sometimes it might not all be visible on the surface. Plus, be thankful for what you've got because the second its gone, the thing you complained about the most could be the thing you miss the most.