So when I was watching the movie, I was like "holy fuck, this movie is LOOONG". I can't really say it dragged, though there's a number of scenes in the first half that I feel didn't have to take that long. Move on! Move on!
I was glad to see the return of Bouken Desho Desho?; the credits just seemed to herald the return of the Haruhi franchise. Tanagachi, that lovable fool, was amusing, but the thing that I remember most about the first part is the Mikuru santa costume.
But for the most part, it doesn't get interesting til the disappearance.
Props must go to Tomokazu Sugita; his freak outs to the new world were pretty damned convincing. He gave off a rather desperate tone that shows another side. Also, the ZOMG Ryoko moment was a memorable one. I wasn't too excited over moe moe Yuki, though certain camera angles.... never mind.
My first speculation is that Yuki's observations suggest that Kyon likes girls like Mikuru and so... But this Yuki doesn't know anything.
While the next parts seemed to take a while, I liked Kyon grasping at every straw of hope. Damn, he actually does care about Haruhi. Alternate Haruhi is looking good, and that headbutt just made me laugh. Itsuki is still Haruhi's lackey, leading one of my friends to comment "well, even in this world, you're her bitch"
Or something has a sense of humor.
It's pretty amazing how fast Haruhi was willing to believe just because Kyon said he was John Smith... one wonders what would have happened if he did that to the normal Haruhi? Well this Haruhi is quick to get matters started; even down to the point of kidnapping Mikuru. The recreation of scenes from 2006 just make me wonder what would happen if they just went on from here on in this world. Amusing, to say the least.
But Kyon decides that he must head back; and Adult Mikuru appearance is always welcomed. What's with all the shots of people's feet? The trippy introspection scene was fun as well. Anyhow, they go back and find out the culprit is Yuki! Kyon is obviously distraught at doing away with moe moe Yuki, but then OH CRAP WTF? Ryoko comes out of nowhere and stabs Kyon. So Ryoko in this universe is Yuki's Lesbian stalker/lover?
I thought Ryoko's "LOL IM SO EVIL" scene started out pretty scary, but then it got rather over the top and I wasn't sure whether to laugh or be scared. Anyhow, Kyon is apparently saved by wait what-- themselves from the future? Well, that needs explaining later on!
The last part was excellent. If the "disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" made us forget about Haruhi, the scene with Haruhi in a sleeping bag is heartwarming, funny, and doesn't make me want to slap the crap out of her. So she does care... So the movie reveals that they do really care for each other a lot .
The rooftop scene was awesome, as it leads to Kyon threatening the powerful data entity, and having them back down! Threatening to punch a god, and blackmailing an almost omnipotent agency; Kyon's definitely on a roll.
The story does give us a lot of insight into Yuki. As Kyon said, the error explaination is BS-- Yuki risked herself to create a world where Kyon would be happy with her. But in any case, being the one to save the day; it's only fair that she should have saved once too.