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WHAT YOU GET In the 2017 release .. it is a wonderful product; and this falls so much in line with what I call the inherent caring and quality of the movie .. I've told people it is like being awed by the fine engineering in high end automobiles .. you can just see the patience and love put into the execution of it. In any case you get the MOVIE on BluRay and DVD; and the extra's on additional DVD (so 3 discs). The jacket image is reversible as well; PLUS they give you some promotional material examples .. again it shows the care in giving a physical product for people to interact with to share that precision. THE MOVE - SET UP I watched this movie because I was lead to a review of it after watching a review of "Linda, Linda, Linda" .. off topic but the episode LIVE ALIVE played homage to that movie. In any case I did watch this movie BEFORE the series that proceeded it in 2006 (re-released with new episodes in 2009); and I planned to just take a peek at it, but ended up watching it right through to 5:30a and did not realize it (or feel tired) it was such an amazing .. I'm from sales .. production. I had gaps in my understanding, but I knew to expect that, as it links certainly to what came before; but it was still very watchable with me just taking note .. "there-in lies a story, I will see if I catch on or need to look into it later". To me, the last half is SO strong, that it stands on its own, with the first half pacing being nice to allow you not to fall behind and to gain that understanding. It is also important to note that this movie is largely narrated by the main character Kyon; so you have that to keep you intimate with what is going on. MY ADVICE (spoiler potentials) My suggestion is that I researched episodes 1-4-6 and 8 .. also, 2 and 3 are helpful. For me though, watching this movie drove me to watch some episodes with real interest as it was endless "uh-hah moments" and quite exciting. So my advice .. it depends on your personality; but I love looking into things to find out the background and such as I need that foothold of interest. So watching the movie first was fine, as long as you know going in you are doing that. THE STORY (spoilers) The description is very good on the back panel; but for me this is such a profound movie; and when I dived into the series, it is just fascinating and you can read into the messages they are trying to show so well .. and those message (well for me and I bet many) just hit home as so true and how we accept what we were told about how wrong our childhood views are .. the world works like this really and here are its rather ruthless rules .. wishes and dreams do not create your future; you are just an ant among many .. so nothing is unique really .. you are best to just live that "movie script" and strive to get access to as many distractions to be happy with as you can. But there are people who feel powerless to change that perception; and just surrender to being "normal" in the end. And this is echo'd in this movie ... Kyon in the series feels like the poor victim of Haruhi irrational views on looking for aliens, time travellers, espers; and with her "melancholy" about life being inherently boring and that she wants the world be be like she imaged as a little girl growing up (as a reviewer said .. imagining the world under her fortress of pillows). So Kyon should be delighted that the world has "righted itself" to being normal and predictable .. one day unfolds after another and you can have a routine and plan what tomorrow will be like. THE ENDLESS EIGHT No need to look into this now .. but in the 2009 re-release, as part of the added episodes they included the legendary "The Endless Eight". The story was 30 page story ark .. and for eight episodes they used the identical story with new animation and voicing. It drove people to the brink of frustration; however, those episodes are strongly echo'd in this movie (again my diving into research) .. with the film makers knowing right at that point that "Disappearance" had been given a movie budget and resources. So something to make note of .. but more awareness than any need to go through them. ENGLISH DUB If you have not read about this, the English Dub is brilliantly done. The Japanese voice actors all were present to assist the English team; and the results are very comparable in quality. However, the voice of Kyon is so perfect -- full of emotion and understanding -- many people suggest he tips the balance in making the Dub the best choice. Now that said, the singing is in Japanese; particularly the outstanding ballad during the final credits, which is delivered by the voice of Nagato called "Gentle Oblivion"; which if understood should make everyone teary-eyed. The English voice actor for Kyon is Crispin Freeman, and the final song in Japanese is Minori Chihara; both are amazing - not that their counter-parts are not, but .. wow they are good. JUST AN OUTSTANDING MOVIE There is a moment in the series when an esper gives Kyon insight into life; and we see Kyon looking at the sky and a moment later he see the limitless universe in its place. This is not light thinking to distract the kids while you are making dinner .. this movie is targeted at really adults and "young people" (include those who are young at heart). The series made me feel like what I wished High School had been like for me; and the movie made me wish I did not grow up the way the world told me too; and to perceive better the struggles that people are having because they feel powerless to solve problems and real challenges because they are insignificant .. so give up and indulge in simulations that make you feel your life is exciting and unique. The script was almost identical to the novel, with a couple of changes that simply made it better for the medium. The music is totally different (at the beginning you can see what the series is usually like) with an orchestra falling in line with amazing quality to it all. The animation is outstanding (reflective also of good direction and storytelling), and it gives you a banquet of things to ponder and look into. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ... !!!