Liz T., Here….
If the words, “ a long time ago, we used to be friends, but I haven’t thought of you lately at all,” make you feel nostalgic for a blond super sleuth, you are a fan of Rob Thomas’ underappreciated show Veronica Mars, which ran for three seasons (2004-2007). For those of you who didn’t watch the show, do not fear – Veronica Mars, the movie, will make you a convert.
Thomas made a smart move by laying out the plot of Veronica Mars in the film’s opening credits. Veronica’s father Keith (Enrico Colantoni) was a town sheriff who created many high-power enemies during the investigation of Veronica’s best friend’s murder.
After being forced to leave his job, he became a private investigator, and Veronica also assisted in the investigations and did many on her own as well. During the show’s run, Veronica dated wealthy bad boy Logan (Jason Dohring) and eventually ended things with him to date college boyfriend Piz (Chris Lowell).
The movie begins 10 years after the series ended. Veronica is still dating Piz, and is in the process of applying for positions at law firms in New York City. She has left her private investigator days behind, and is moving forward with her life. When Logan is investigated for murdering his pop star singer girlfriend, he requests Veronica’s help and she is drawn back home to help him clear his name.
Writer/Director Thomas has not lost his edge. He is able to keep Veronica’s story fresh and clever, while tipping his hat to true fans of the show. Almost the entire cast returned for parts, large and small. Veronica is assisted on her quest to solve the mystery with her still best friends Wallace (Percy Daggs III), now a high-school coach, and Mac (Tina Majorino), now a high-paid tech programmer.
As the story unfolds, we are drawn into the class struggles of Neptune California, where law and order are kept by a slimy sheriff Dan Lamb (Jerry O’Connell). Veronica is trying to clear Logan’s name and also come to terms with who she is and where she wants to go.
This is not a film that will draw huge crowds or make a ton of money in the box office. It is a beloved story of Mars, a woman who fights to be heard and makes sure that everyone is heard and receives what they deserve. She is able to accomplish huge things when the odds are against her. Her story is very similar to the making o the film. It took 12 hours for fans of the show to raise the $2 million funding on Kickstarter. The film was able to raise more than double what it wanted.
Once production began, almost every single original cast member had a cameo and many celebrities ranging from James Franco to Jamie Lee Curtis also appeared in the film. Mars is a film that is enjoyable for many. It is also a film that rewards longtime fans with a movie that feels like a long homage to the TV show.
4 out of 5 STARS
-Liz Tramer