VERONICA MARS (2014)

Story, Characters & Directed By: Rob Thomas 
Written By: Rob Thomas & Diane Ruggiero 
Cinematography By: Ben Kutchins 
Editor: Daniel Gabbe 

 Cast: Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Gaby Hoffman, Enrico Colantoni, Percy Daggs III, Ken Marino, Tina Majorino, Jamie Lee Curtis Krysten Ritter, Martin Starr, Daran Norris, Jerry O’Connell, Ryan Hansen, Francis Capra, Max Greenfield, James Franco, Eden Sher, Justin Long, Dax Shepard, Sam Hunnignton, Eddie Jemison


Years after walking away from her past as a teenage private eye, Veronica Mars gets pulled back to her hometown - just in time for her high school reunion - in order to help her old flame Logan Echolls, who's embroiled in a murder mystery.

I will admit to not only being a fan of the show, but also a minor investor for the films kickstarter campaign. Ok more of a donation. Thankfully it like this return on my investment.

Funded in large part by a campaign on Kickstarter.com, breaking all of the site's records up to April, 2013. Some of the accomplishments were: Fastest project to reach $1 million. Fastest project to reach $2 million. All-time highest-funded project in FILM category. Third highest-funded project in Kickstarter history. Most project backers of any project in Kickstarter history.

When the idea of Kickstarter emerged, Kristen Bell and Rob Thomas met with the Warner Bros. brass, which gave their blessing to the project and agreed to help distribute the movie. Their reaction was "if you can show there's enough fan interest to warrant a movie, we're on board." And they did, with $5,702,153 pledged of the $2,000,000 goal and 91,585 backers.

Though I like that the film engages those members of the audience who might not be aware of the history of the show and it's characters but gleefully gives them enough to understand the film without being as informed as other audience members and hopefully will inspire newcomers to go and watch the show to fill themselves in with the little idiosyncrasies of the show and it's characters.

The film is also a treat for the fans with appearances of characters big and small plus let's is catch up with them. While also presenting plenty of in jokes.

Alas while the film works and is a good throwback to mysteries. Aiming the film of focus on character and plot. It feels like an episode of the show and that is part of the problem. We know the budget is limited here so I wasn't expecting spectacle. Though the way it is filmed is great for the small screen on the big screen it feels micro and underwhelming. It's not bad, but I don't see it convincing many who aren't fans to be awed by it. Almost since Veronica Mars went off the air, there's been talk of making a movie. Rob Thomas even developed a pitch that revolved around graduation day at Hearst college: Wallace and Mac were graduating, Veronica had been sidetracked by freeing Keith from prison and there was a murder in Neptune that was affecting the beach city's spring break business. Warner Bros. wasn't convinced there was enough interest to warrant a major studio-sized movie about Veronica and the project never got off the ground.

The original idea for the film was written by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham, but was scrapped when Thomas finally began writing the script, when he realized that he'd need to tell a different story first: one that brought the characters back together after years apart. The story was later released as a novel called "The Thousand Dollar Tan Line".

The action is minimal and so is the tension. Which builds a mystery. Yet never builds any thrills.

I like that it set's itself up for more films and also works as a finale of sorts.

It might seem like I was disappointed. No to me this film is pretty much which I expected. I like the film and hope it is successful and can start a series of films. I only wish the conspiracy was bigger. As after a certain point it becomes cut and dry. Though I can understand as he film wants to reintroduce the characters and heir situations while also delving into he mystery and he motivations. As everything seems to go back I high school. This film has set itself up with many obstacles for t's makers. Luckily they are talented and Savvy enough to balance t all and make it work.

The reasons are plenty I enjoy the writing of Rob Thomas writer and creator of this series and he television show PARTY DOWN (which I also hopes get's a big screen return) he is also author of some young adult books. Here he has a collection of actors from both of his shows play minor and major roles.

I will say though Kristen bell has shown range in her roles on the big screen. In this role she is not only charasmaic but also comfortable. Which makes her a winning on screen presence and her chemistry with Enrico Colantoni as her father is always magical.

It's also a joy to see most of the cast back even Kristen Ritter who had more of a minor role on he show. As usual she is always a welcome presence in any film she is in and usually one of the better aspects of the films.

As a fan it gives you everything you can ask for and indeed that is what the cast and filmmakers strive or to show their appreciation for the support over the years.

It crackles in certain scenes like a throwback to classic mysteries with speedy witty dialogue delivered quickly. Though trying to please it makes the mystery tale a back seat. That also stacks the deck with a few guest star suspects to try and throw the audience off.

I would definitely recommend this film as we rarely get a chance to see a big screen mystery that isn't obvious. Plus it's enjoyable as maybe a introduction into The Veronica Mars series.

Grade: B-