Blu-ray Review: Veronica Mars

Release Date: May 6, 2014
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 108 minutes

Veronica Mars (Bell) has put Neptune and her amateur sleuthing days behind her on the eve of graduating law school. While interviewing at high-end law firms, Veronica gets a call from her ex-boyfriend Logan (Dohring) who has been accused of murder. Veronica heads back to Neptune just to help Logan find an attorney, but when things don’t seem right with how Logan’s case is perceived and handled, Veronica finds herself being pulled back into a life she thought she had left behind.

Based on Rob Thomas’ beloved television series and inspired by demand from fans, “Veronica Mars” stars Kristen Bell as a former high-school sleuth who thought she left her past behind her, until a murder in her home town pulls her back into her old life.

Directed by the television series’ creator Rob Thomas from a screenplay by Thomas & Diane Ruggiero, “Veronica Mars” also stars Jason Dohring, Krysten Ritter, Ryan Hansen, Francis Capra, Percy Daggs III, Chris Lowel, Tina Majorino and Enrico Colantoni, all returning to the roles they originated in the television series.

As a longtime fan of Veronica Mars and a huge, huge, huge fan of Kristen Bell, also as a Kickstarter backer of this film, the arrival in the mail of the Veronica Mars movie on blu-ray was quite a moment. I loved this film. I absolutely adored every moment. This film is funny. Mysterious. Thrilling. Sentimental. It’s everything. A great film for anyone new to Veronica Mars but truly a love letter to the fans.

Anyone who watched the show knows you can trust Rob Thomas to deliver but I was still very curious about what the end result would be, especially with the world watching after the viral success of the Kickstarter campaign. But he did. We did it. Thomas has said all of these years that he had a story for the film and I’m not sure what did and didn’t make the cut over the years but I am so, so happy with the final screenplay. It’s fantastic. I loved watching Veronica resolve her personal and professional struggles back in Neptune, seeing how much deeper in the dirt Neptune has fallen, hearing the sarcastic banter we all know and love on the show, and of course, watch Veronica solve a mystery! A mystery that hits so close to home. Whether you predict who the killer is or not, the ride is worth taking.

It was so exciting getting to see where these characters were ten years later. All but one ended up essentially where I thought they would or could easily picture them being. I still can’t buy Logan joining the Navy. It seems so out of character. I realize that it is out of character for many people to join in real life, heck I know some of these people. But for Logan, no matter how you spin it, it just doesn’t seem logical for him to have ended up where he did. Anyway… the relationship dynamics back in Neptune were familiar yet fresh since everyone’s an adult now, with a more mature Neptune state of mind (at least for most). Ah! It was so good to be in Neptune again. I don’t think the movie would have been complete without a scene at the high school. So clearly you know what one of my favorite scenes were.

Every scene was special in its own way. From the references that TV show fans will appreciate, cameos and backers as extras in many scenes to the voice of Veronica and tone, heart, and soul of Neptune being as strong as ever, every scene is a gem. This was a high school reunion worth attending! How often can you say that?! I could go on but I fear it will only be more gushing. Simply put, if you enjoyed Veronica Mars when the show was on or never caught it between then and now, this film is for you. You will love it.

Blu-ray Bonus Features:
By The Fans: The Making of the Veronica Mars Movie (55 minutes) – What a documentary. If anyone wants to reminisce or know about the incredible journey of the Veronica Mars film, all you have to do is go here. This doc took me back to that day on March 13, 2013 when the movie campaign launched on Kickstarter. We follow show creator, Rob Thomas before he launches the campaign, during, and long after of course…after just over 10 hours of the campaign being launched and the campaign reaching, surpassing its $2 million goal.

Such a phenomenal goal, Rob Thomas was interviewed on CNN! You had to be living under a rock if you didn’t know about this campaign because it went viral. I’ve been a Veronica Mars fan for years but even people who didn’t watch the show were donating simply because they were fans of Kristen Bell or others and wanted to support this movement. Thank you! We continue to follow Rob, as he celebrates the success of the campaign at a bar in Texas with over 700 fans. We get a glimpse of pre-production and plenty of interviews with the cast on set/location in LA last June. But it’s not just the cast. The cast and crew, press, and Kickstarter supporters are interviewed every step of the way. I even recognized one of the 93 backers who visited the set, YA author, Andrea Cremer (Nightshade Series). From San Diego Comic Con to the Kickstarter supporter meet and greets there and elsewhere, this doc covers everything just before the red carpet premiere. This doc was so well produced and you can tell so much love was put into every single part of this movie making process. What a treasure this movie is for the fans and what a wonderful feature to document the making of it all.

More On-Set Fun (1-5 minutes each) – Welcome to Keith Mars Investigation cuts back and forth between actor, Enrico Colantoni taking fans on a tour of the new and improved Mars Investigation and Colantoni on location in between shooting talking about his character and Veronica Mars. It’s not a must see feature but it’s a little something that any fan won’t mind checking out. Game Show with Kristen Bell and Chris Lowell is fun but I’m not going to lie, On Set with Max Greenfield is much more entertaining though I’m biased because it’s Max Greenfield and he’s hysterical. Veronica Mars’ Backers is such a great feature where viewers can hear straight from other backers what it’s been like being a part of a film that has made history because of their passion and support. It was so heartwarming hearing from fellow fans, I got such a rush watching this feature and felt such pride in being apart of not only achieving something great here with this film but being a part of such an awesome fan community. you guys rock! “It’s Not All About You, Monkey” features the gorilla prank which anyone who watches the Gag Reel first will get a glimpse of there but the complete picture is here. So glad this made it on the blu-ray! Finally, Young Veronica is a great nod to the Veronica doppleganger at the end of the film as well as of course this moment of Veronica noticing her. It’s a big, “I see you” moment. “I see you and it’s all worth it, it’s all going to be okay” moment. For the film. For the characters. For the viewers at home who connect with Veronica and the writing and the world. What a moment. This moment has so much depth so I’m glad that there was a small feature on the bonus features to acknowledge that. Great job.

Deleted Scenes (4 minutes) – There are four deleted scenes, all of which I’m glad were cut. The first scene was unnecessary, the second I wasn’t a fan of the way it was shot, and the final two scenes make me appreciate the alternate versions of those scenes which did make the final cut of the film. It’s fascinating all of the elements that make up a film and deleted scenes really make you appreciate the editing process a whole lot more.

Gag Reel (4 minutes) – Backers will appreciate the gorilla suit prank making it at the end.

Own VERONICA MARS on Blu-ray and DVD tomorrow!