While “Veronica Mars” didn’t exactly set the world on fire, it’s definitely a return to form for the cast and crew behind the cult series, revived by the loyal fanbase and Kickstarter. Creator Rob Thomas sets the series right in the place he left off, providing a much wanted return to the universe where Veronica Mars is still a pariah and still always five steps ahead of everyone in her life. The best fans could have hoped for was that “Veronica Mars” felt like one big finale, and lo and behold, it succeeds two fold. I won’t pretend “Veronica Mars” is a spectacular thriller, but it’s a simple and entertaining closer to a series that deserved a decent send off.
For folks that never watched the show, it’s a solid crime thriller that fills general audiences in with skill. Glossing over the entire series in the first five minutes, “Veronica Mars” is set a decade after the series. Veronica is now living in New York, and is in a fulfilling relationship. Not to mention, she’s a front runner for a big job at a law firm, and is prepared to battle her way to the top. When a pop star is murdered in her old town of Neptune. Show character and old flame Logan begs Veronica to come to town and help prove him innocent, and Veronica can’t resist going back and helping her old boyfriend. While there, Veronica treads over her old stomping grounds, and finds that things have stayed the same no matter how drastically they’ve changed. Particularly Veronica’s father, who is still a top notch private investigator and town pariah, given little respect by the corrupt police force in town.
Director Cohen tries to squeeze in as much lip service to the show as possible, while also unfolding a new and twisted murder mystery that results in classic Veronica Mars turmoil. As usual the wealthy in Neptune have nothing but skeletons in their closet that come bursting from the hinges, and Veronica is always face to face with imminent death. Kristen Bell doesn’t miss a single beat as Veronica, returning to the spunky, independent, and heroic gumshoe with style and finesse, proving she was made to play this character. You also have to love Enrico Colantoni, who is just excellent as Veronica’s loving dad and mentor Keith. There is also the return of a lot of favorites from the series, including Mack, Wallace, and the always cool Weevil. “Veronica Mars” is much like “Serenity,” it’s a passion project that gives fans a respectful and entertaining send off to a wonderful series that just didn’t get enough respect in its time, and it’s a fine film, altogether.
It’s kind of hard to believe that for all the fans anxious for a closer for “Veronica Mars,” that the Blu-ray didn’t come with so much more. How about some commentaries from Kristen Bell or Rob Thomas? How about a cast commentary? How about a look back at the series with a short documentary about the life of the series after its cancellation? In either case, the Blu-Ray at least throws us a bone with “By the Fans: The Making of Veronica Mars” a great hour long documentary that explores the Kickstarter campaign that brought the movie to life, the fan support that helped the movie become a media headline, the production of the film, a look at the fans that helped make the movie possible, as well as the bond of the cast and crew.
“More On-Set Fun” is a nineteen minute focus point featurette with co-star Colantoni giving a set tour, a Q&A between Kristen Bell and Chris Lowell, an interview with the man who plays Leo D’Amato, a tribute to the financial backers/fans of the film, a brief prank on the set, and a glimpse at the young girl Veronica Mars spots during the movie at the high school cafeteria that reminds her of a young Veronica. There are four minutes of deleted scenes that don’t offer much surprises, and a five minute gag reel for the fans.