Monday, March 17, 2014

Veronica Mars (2014) review


Never underestimate a fan base, because they might have the power to get something that had previously been canceled running again. That was exactly the case with the film adaptation of ‘Veronica Mars’, which follows in the footsteps of the TV show of the same name created by Rob Thomas. The show, which first aired in 2004, sadly only lasted three seasons before it was cancelled in 2007. However, like other prematurely canceled shows like ‘Arrested Development’ and ‘Firefly’, ‘Veronica Mars’ had a very loyal fan base, collectively known as ‘Marshmallows’ in relation to a line from the show’s pilot episode and it was these ‘Marshmallows’ who were responsible for making this film adaptation possible. In March 2013, Thomas and leading lady Kristen Bell started a Kickstarter campaign with the goal of $2 million in order for the film to get made. By the end of the campaign, the fans had raised nearly three times that amount; $5,702,153 to be exact. That, my friends, is the story of how one of the best shows that got cancelled way too early was brought back to life in a film that is not only a love letter to that loyal group of fans that had a hand in getting it made, but a continuing representation of why this show was so great in the first place.

9 years after the events of the series finale, Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) has moved away from not only her hometown of Neptune, California, but also her days as a teenage private eye working with her father Keith (Enrico Colantoni), Neptune’s former sheriff. Now, she’s living in New York with her college boyfriend Stosh ‘Piz’ Piznarski (Chris Lowell) and is about to land a job at a prestigious law firm. However, the past begins to come calling for her when her old boyfriend Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) is charged with the murder of his girlfriend Carrie Bishop (Andrea Estella, taking over the role that was originally played by Leighton Meester in the TV series). At the risk of throwing her new life away, Veronica heads back to Neptune in order to help Logan out. At first, it’s just to help him find a good lawyer, but soon Veronica finds herself getting back into the swing of things as she begins to investigate further into the case in order to prove Logan’s innocence; just like the way she did so on other cases nine years earlier.

As mentioned earlier, this was a fan-funded project and as such, this movie is tailor made for them. It’s clear that the cast and crew wanted to make the best ‘Veronica Mars’ movie that they could and that really shows in the final product. Whether it’s getting to catch up with some of our favorite characters or reignite the sparks of the iconic romance between Logan and Veronica that has basically become the most notable aspect of the entire show, I have the feeling ‘Marshmallows’ should be satisfied with this film. But what about those people who aren’t fans of the show? Well, on its own, the film perfectly represents the things that made the series so great in the first place. Like the show, this film really benefits from terrific writing; it features an engaging plot/mystery, compelling characters, and most importantly, one of the best female leads to ever grace a TV show in Veronica herself. The times may have changed, and she may have grown up a bit since we last saw her, but she’s still as smart, charming, and witty as she was during the events of the show. Her morals haven’t changed; she’s still someone who believes in proper justice and is willing to stand up against the corrupt, many of whom inhabit her hometown of Neptune.

But of course, Veronica wouldn’t be as great of a character as she is without the terrific performance from the lead actress portraying her. Kristen Bell returns to her role with ease seven years after the end of the series and is just as phenomenal here as she was back then. That can also be said for every other returning member of the cast; Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni, Percy Daggs III, Ryan Hansen, Tina Majorino, Chris Lowell, etc. They all do a great job once again. And of course, all of you ‘LoVe’ fans will no doubt be excited to see the continuation of, to quote Logan from Season 2, Episode 20, ‘Look Who’s Stalking’, the ‘epic’ romance between him and Veronica. While I’ll admit I was never that big a fan of their relationship because of how Logan acted like a real jerk in the first few episodes of season 1 (so yes, I guess you can consider me to be on the ‘Team Piz’ side of this debate, which will no doubt be settled by what happens in this film), Bell and Dohring have exceptional chemistry and I’ll also admit that Logan has sort of grown on me as a character since his days as the show’s ‘obligatory psychotic jackass’.

91,585 fans of ‘Veronica Mars’ contributed to the film’s budget via its Kickstarter campaign, showing how much they craved a continuation of a show that they loved and one that got cancelled way too early. As such, the cast and crew went out and made a film that is an open love letter to their loyal fans, which very much shows in regards to the film. For fans of the show, this is an absolute must-see; it brings back all of the characters that you love and should very much provide closure after the show’s premature cancellation. But even if you aren’t fans of the show, this is still a very good film that benefits from terrific writing, great performances from its cast, and most importantly, a great female lead in both the character of Veronica Mars herself and Kristen Bell’s performance in the role. I do recommend watching the show first so that you can enjoy this film to the fullest but as is this movie still holds up quite well on its own and hopefully it might turn you on to the show itself.

Rating: 5/5!

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