Film Review: ‘Veronica Mars’ Wishes it Was Still on TV

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Average: 5 (2 votes)

CHICAGO – A TV movie for the silver screen, “Veronica Mars” is a historical film that was Kickstarted into existence by the will of 91,585 backers. Now, it stands like a crossroads in the intersection between TV and film, showing that what may work in TV doesn’t necessarily make for a great film.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 2.5/5.0
Rating: 2.5/5.0

Our world is introduced/re-introduced to the universe of “Veronica Mars” with a slideshow and voiceover, which could be the opening credits for the original TV show for all I know. After the catchup we find our title hero (played with lightness by Kristen Bell) interviewing for a job at a law firm, where her potential boss Gayle Buckley (Jamie Lee Curtis) helps fill in more background with obvious exposition. We learn not long after that Veronica has a boyfriend (Chris Lowell) as well, who has become a good-humored support despite her history that everyone seems to know about.

Veronica is brought back to this history when her ex-boyfriend Logan (Jason Dohirng) is accused of murdering his pop star girlfriend. She utilizes her infamous skills as a local private investigator to unravel a mystery, while reconnecting with the many people from her high school who still share dark secrets.

In a way that gives the show its hip geeky edge, the dialogue of “Veronica Mars” is constructed around sporadic mad-libs, which includes name-drops to the Barenaked Ladies, “Sharknado”, Clint Eastwood, and the term “asshat”. In an admirable feat, the portion in which characters spout these phrases is fitting - while the “Veronica Mars” may not be all that funny, it doesn’t come as desperate for relevancy. Instead, it positions itself well-within a realistic pop culture stratosphere where movies, music, and celebrities are intertwined.

“Veronica Mars” opens everywhere on March 14th. Featuring Kristen Bell, Krysten Ritter, Jason Dohring, Chris Lowell, Enrico Colantoni and Jamie Lee Curtis. Screenplay by Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero. Directed by Thomas. Rated “PG-13”

StarContinue reading for Nick Allen’s full review of ”Veronica Mars”

Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell is the Title Character in ‘Veronica Mars’
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

StarContinue reading for Nick Allen’s full review of ”Veronica Mars”

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