I watched the dub, and I watched without first seeing or knowing about the characters otherwise. I was never lost because references to past ideas did not infringe upon understanding the plot of this movie. The opening build was slow but I realized later this was completely necessary as a cornerstone to sympathizing with Kyon later. Once the alternate reality kicks in, however, there is a superb unfolding of shock. Then, an even better grasp on adaptation to circumstances before Kyon's perseverance (and fate) prompts him to the ultimate conclusion. What I really liked was the focus on happiness, and what is it that makes us happy. This was sharpened by the ideas brought forward of intentional emotional repression, which was further pinpointed in a Japanese fashion. SPOILERS AHEAD: So it was that Nagato's emotional repression caused an inevitable (in her own words) error of programming that led to the creation of a reality where she could express herself more as a human. And in that new reality Kyon was able to understand that he enjoyed Haruhi because he pined for the old reality. There are undercurrents of romantic love here but not put into words. It remains largely friendship and this cleanliness keeps the story on track. In fact, the philosophical impact would have been greatly diluted if this were merely a man sad over losing his true love (even if similar alternate -reality movies like SOMEWHERE IN TIME and PORTRAIT OF JENNIE are wonderful). The resolution here was jarring but not upsetting. I liked every bit of this film and recommend it to young and old.
