The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Volume 1
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Movie Reviews of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Volume 1
Movie Review: The plot dies early - Review for entire series
Summary: 2 Stars
I wonder how many of these glowing reviews were written after watching the entire series. Episodes 1-5 do show some potential, but after that the series fizzles out in a string of sub-plots that have nothing to do with what was supposed to be the premise of the series.Movie Review: Spreading excitement all over the world with...
Summary: 4 Stars
The first episode of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is actually a so-bad-it's-good video created by the cast later in the show's timeline, featuring a Battle Waitress from the future, in a Bunny Suit, defending an Esper who is unaware of his powers from an Evil Witch from Space. It is directed by the main character and narrated by the show's narrator, and is chock-full of obviously-drawn-in special effects and wooden student acting, among other things. Near the end of the episode, a cat clinging to the Witch inexplicably begins to speak; the Witch bops it on the head with her wand before the director notices, saying that as well as being a witch, "she is also a ventriloquist." But is she really?
Though the next episode is Melancholy's "proper" beginning, what's so remarkable about Episode 00 is that it perfectly summarizes nearly everything in the show.
About the show itself--the narrator is Kyon, a student who has recently given up dreams of aliens, espers and time-travelers for high-school life. But when he meets Haruhi Suzumiya (the Director), an eccentric transfer student who longs to meet aliens, espers and time-travelers, he is literally dragged (by his shirtcollar) into the Spreading Excitement All Over the World with Haruhi Suzumiya Brigade, or S.O.S. Brigade for short. Other inductees include Nagato (the Witch), who uses the clubroom as a reading room, Koizumi (the Esper), a mysterious transfer student, and Mikuru (the Battle Waitress from the Future), who Haruhi just grabs out of the hallway so she can exploit otaku fetishes to raise club awareness. Yes, really.
But Kyon quickly discovers that in her search for aliens, time-travelers, and espers, Haruhi has unwittingly gathered together a group of none other than aliens (with magical powers), time travelers (who enjoy dressing up as waitresses) and espers (who are only useful some of the time.) What is even more worrisome, though, is that Haruhi is quite literally Director--and if she ever gets bored of Spreading Excitement All Over the World, she could easily abandon it and everything in it...
Besides the absolutely bizzare first episode, the others are business as usual--establishing exposition, etc. They are, however, pretty funny. Most people seem like the love-her-or-hate-her, unknowingly all-powerful high-school student Haruhi the best, but though she often overpowers everybody else through sheer force of personality, Kyon still holds his own, possibly because he has most of the best lines. The other characters hold their own too, but they don't really come into their own until later episodes. While there's plenty of reasons to watch the Japanese dub--the person who voiced Haruhi is supposedly now legendary--the English dub is pretty good too, with Crispin Freeman nailing Kyon and Wendee Lee holding her own against the Japanese seiyuu with Haruhi.
It's certainly not perfect, but at any rate, this is probably the best high-school comedy drama parodying anime stereotypes while exploiting fetishes and featuring questionable science fiction and crazy battle sequences while presenting metaphysical questions about the nature of reality ever, though admittedly most of the latter come up in the next disc. Reccomended! Also stay for the closer.
Movie Review: Somewhere in the middle
Summary: 4 Stars
i bought this mainly because a coworker of mine recommended it and i figured why the heck not. I'll give just about any anime series that has some substance to it a shot. With this one at first watching episode 00, it made me want to just lose all control and just freak out. I am sure that it was well thought out but after watching that. I just wanted to move on and try to get the story advanced somewhat. It does that in episode 1 enought to get me slightly interested and the 2nd episode was cool as well. Episode 3 however didnt really do anything for me at all, it was just kind of a seen it and want to move on episode.
It's something that's a little different. I didnt care for Haruhi forcing the other member into wearing a bunny costume. Why not just go out and hand out fliers like everyone else instead of dressing up like an extra from the Pussycat Dolls. I know the girl is one screw loose from being sent to the funny farm for life.
Sometimes i thought she was cool and others. I wanted to kick her in the head for being some freakin annoying and bossy. Its crazy that the other members of the "SOS Brigade" put up with her. I know she's important for various reasons, but come on anyone ever hear of the word NO. There's some comedy and fun parts to this first volume.
I just hope the 2nd Volume kicks it up a notch for me, some action maybe. I know everyone won't agree on this and thats okay. I just wanted to get this out there. Melancholy of Haruhi has promise and i hope to be there enjoying it with everyone else.
Movie Review: Teen's mood-swings affect the universe!
Summary: 5 Stars
I usually detest animes centered on teens- especially girls(their high-pitched whiney voices are like 'nails on chalkboard' to me), and their constant states of near-hysteria annoy me to death! Still, I gave this one a try - and am SO GLAD I DID! Aside from being hilarious(I hurt myself laughing), the story evolves into some very deep(existential?) ideas. What IF a girl came along, who through some cosmic quirk, affected major events in the world/universe/existence as we know it? And what if she also happened to be bi-polar/manic-depressive(more than most teen girls!), and quite bright, curious, easily bored, and the most bossy, demanding imperious child EVER??? You'd try to keep her happy, wouldn't you? Even if it meant putting up with the most outrageous scemes ever concocted? AND the bunny costume??? DO NOT pre-judge this. It is totally unique. Also quite sad, at times- in a good way! Loved it.Movie Review: A magnificant show that doesn't overstay itself
Summary: 5 Stars
The original broadcast would of been better and I believe Bandai made a gross error in releasing two versions. I got the cheaper which means I got the weaker linear release. For those who's cherries haven't been popped yet. Buy the special edition to truly enjoy this show.