However unconventional the funding, the Veronica Mars movie is a lot of fun. Based on the low-rated, but clearly loved UPN and CW TV drama that ran from 2004-2007, the film takes place nine years after the events of the show’s third season. After taking a quick trip down memory lane, we learn that Veronica (Kristen Bell) is living in New York an interviewing for a job as a lawyer at a large firm. she is in a stable relationship with Stosh “Piz” Piznarski (Chris Lowell) and trying very hard to avoid drama. Unfortunately, while waiting for an interview, she gets a call from old flame Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring). He’s been accused of murdering his girlfriend Carrie Bishop (Andrea Estella), a fellow Neptune classmate who became a pop star under the name “Bonnie DeVille.” Bombarded with offers from lawyers to represent him, Logan wants Veronica’s help in making a choice.
Being the drama addict that she is, Veronica drops everything, and heads home to Neptune. Veronica isn’t happy that the trip just so happens to coincide with a ten year high school reunion. Though she originally planned to avoid the festivities, the event provides her with a chance to gather clues, and check up on old friends and enemies she had planned on leaving in the past.
It’s only natural that sometimes, with the passage of time, when we revisit something we remember fondly we come away disappointed. That’s not the case with Veronica Mars. She come back more or less, as expected, more mature, yes, but still the smart, sleuthing, inquisitive person she always was. And Neptune? It’s still a town full of the corrupt elite, and thankfully, Veronica’s father Keith (Enrico Colantoni) is still there, working as a private investigator, and fighting the good fight. Wisely, Rob Thomas, who directed and co-wrote the script with Diane Ruggiero, brought back every member of the main cast, and several supporting players who helped establish the tone of the original series.
Also to his credit, Thomas doesn’t try to turn Veronica Mars into a ‘movie event.’ He stays to true to the fans who bankrolled the film and gives fans the satisfying ending that the show never had, while also leaving plenty of possibility for a sequel. While I don’t know if the film will appeal to the masses, I can say I had only watched a handful of episodes from the original series before watching the movie, and loved it. I have just started watching the series from the beginning. Would it be asking too much for Warner Bros. to release it on Blu-ray?
Presented in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio, Veronica Mars was shot in HD using an Arri Alexa. The image is clean throughout, as one would expect from a new film. Shadow details are good, though I noticed just a hint of black crush; it’s not enough to interfere with the viewing experience. Overall, fans should be pleased with this transfer.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track offers a fairly simple mix, but it provides a vibrant experience, with fine atmospherics, and solid low frequencies that provide some heft during party scenes.
English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
- By the Fans: The Making of Veronica Mars the Movie: (HD, 55:43) A look at how the film got made, and a nice look behind-the-scenes of the filming. What follows is more of the same, largely aimed at the fans.
Behind the Scenes: More On-Set Fun:
- Welcome to Keith Mars Investigations (HD, 2:54)
- Game Show with Kristen Bell and Chris Lowell (HD, 4:30)
- On Set with Max Greenfield (HD, 3:10)
- Veronica Mars’ Backers (HD, 4:45)
- It’s Not All About You, Monkey (HD, 2:59)
- Young Veronica (HD, :58)
- Deleted Scenes (HD, 4:20) Four in total.
- Gag Reel (HD, 4:35)
- UV Digital Copy
- Digital Copy
