{Movie} Review: Veronica Mars

We all delight in seeing our favorite books brought to life on the big screen.  We cringe at casting.  We scoff at release dates.  All the while, we're gearing up to see if the director's vision lives up to the world we've conceived in our own imaginations.  Sometimes it does...and sometimes it doesn't.  We could lament the movies that don't measure up, or we could return to the books for a re-read, possibly with a slightly different mind-set.  All's fair when it comes to artistic vision, right?





Today, I'm featuring the following movie, which is more of a continuation than an adaptation, but since there's a book spin-off series coming, I'm counting it:

Title: Veronica Mars
Director: Rob Thomas
Stars: Kristen Bell, Chris Lowell, Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni
Release date: March 14, 2014
Based on: the beloved TV series of the same name

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 am a hardcore Veronica Mars fan. Loved the show when it was on. Watch reruns every chance I get now that it's in syndication. Still think of Logan Echolls every time I see a yellow Xterra. And I had every intention of seeing this movie in the theater with my older sister when I visited her over Spring Break. But, as luck would have it, the movie wasn't widely released and wasn't showing near her at the time. Woe is me...I guess I'll have to drag the husband to see it, even though he detests the tiny, blonde P.I. But, wait! An email just arrived in my inbox on Friday night that let me know that as an AT&T U-Verse subscriber, I have the ability to watch this movie via On Demand while it's playing in theaters simultaneously. What?!?!?!? Best. News. Evar!!!

While the husband was out in the garage watching some UFC event with the guys, I snuggled on the couch with a glass of wine and prepared for this movie to right the wrongs of the past. I was bereft when this show was cancelled, and I hated the way things were left. I liked Piz, but he and Veronica never had the same chemistry, the same magnetism that she and Logan did. And I needed to see those two get their happily ever after. I won't spoil anything, but I will say there's a bar fight and V gets in on some of the action herself. Make of that what you will.

I really wish this series was still on. It was way too short-lived, but even so, this movie continuation hit on all the right notes. The sarcasm and wit, the friendships, the swooning. It so didn't feel like ten years had passed since these characters had all interacted. I mean, there was the awkward weather chit-chat between Veronica and Logan upon their initial meeting, but they picked up right where they left off with their banter, and it was like old times again. Sexy old times. (Logan in dress whites is a sight to behold.) =D

The story itself was also made of awesome. Veronica is leading a rather mundane life, doing the good girl thing, graduating from law school and preparing to take the bar. But she seems kind of miserable. I really found it entertaining how she likened her affinity for detective work to an alcoholic addiction, not unlike her own mother's problem with alcohol. And it made a lot of sense because despite how put-together her life seemed, she was missing something. Investigation work is like a drug to her, and she may very well let that addiction cost her everything.

The voice-over monologuing is still ever-present. Keith Mars is still an indominable voice of reason. Dick is still an asshat. And Wallace and Mac are still great friends who tell it like it is. It's like nothing has changed...except Veronica. But she's getting there.

This movie was great, but all it succeeded in doing was making me want more. There are two YA Veronica Mars novels due out soon, one of which actually released yesterday. I'll be procuring the audiobook very soon, since Kristen Bell herself is narrating. So, at least I have that to look forward to. But by golly, I need more Veronica Mars in my life. Or at least heroines like her. Overall, I'm giddy with how this movie turned out -- and in the manner in which I was able to view it, like watching an extended episode from the comfort of my own living room. I'm confident fans of the series will love this movie, and I'm hoping it will make fans of the kids who are too young to remember the show in its prime.

GIF it to me straight:

It was everything I'd hoped it would be...but I still want more.

Were you a fan of the show?  Have you seen the movie?  What do you think about the Kickstarter campaign and it being made into a full-length feature?

Labels: favorites, movie reviews, movies, must-see, veronica mars