The VERONICA MARS movie was a miracle in itself, but it got made because 91,000 fans supported it through Kickstarter and raised $5.7 million when creator Rob Thomas was hoping for two million (which was within the first ten hours).   So Kickstarter proves that fan loved TV shows and properties can get a second chance at life if people support it to be made.  It proves a new production paradigm can be set outside the Hollywood funding system.

The movie picks up ten years after the TV series ended as Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) is drawn back to Neptune, California to clear the name of her ex-loved Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) who is suspected of murdering his pop star girlfriend Bonnie DeVille (aka Carrie Bishop), but Veronica believes he didn’t do it and sets out to find the truth despite police corruption and the real murderer who wants to bury the truth at any cost.   VERONICA MARS is made in the mold of film noir and the old 1930s/ 1940s murder mysteries along with some snazzy dialogue and a cast of characters from her private investigator dad to her old high school friends to Ruby Jetson (who was the pop star’s stalker) to the corrupt and inept police sheriff (Jerry O’Connell) to an unexpected cameo by James Franco playing a fictional version of himself.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

BY THE FANS: THE MAKING OF THE VERONICA MARS MOVIE (55:43)- an extensive and entertaining documentary that sees creator Rob Thomas, Kristen Bell, and the Veronica Mars cast take you from the launching day of the Kickstarter campaign to the production of the movie to San Diego Comic-Con  Also hear from the fans who supported the film including the ones who became extras in the film for their support.

MORE ON-SET FUN-

WELCOME TO KEITH MARS INVESTIGATIONS- behind-the-scenes fun with the actor who plays Keith Mars as he gives a brief tour of the Keith Mars Investigations set

GAME SHOW WITH KRISTEN BELL AND CHRIS LOWELL- Kristen Bell and Chris Lowell answer questions and give some not so serious answers

ON SET WITH MAX GREENFIELD- hear from the actor who played Deputy Louie on the TV series

VERONICA MARS’ BACKERS- hear from the Kickstarter backers of the movie in their own words

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU, MONKEY- Director Rob Thomas and actor Ryan Hansen (in a monkey suit) play a joke on the cast and Kickstarter backers

YOUNG VERONICA- a quick interview with the actress who plays young Veronica for one scene in the movie

Four deleted scenes (including an extended TMZ bit), a gag reel, and a code for a Digital HD Ultraviolet copy of the movie round out the extras.

The extras are impressive, but I do wish they included a theatrical trailer and all of the Kickstarter videos for the campaign (instead of bits and pieces of the Kickstarter campaign videos during the making-of documentary).

FINAL ANALYSIS:   The VERONICA MARS movie grew on me as I watched it.  It has some sharp dialogue while providing some closure for the fans if there aren’t future VERONICA MARS movies.  I was never a fan of the TV series, but the movie makes me want to go back and check out the TV series more.  I do hope there are more movies for fans because their support shows it can be done if you support it and give it a little love.

 This Blu-ray review is ©5-10-2014 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com

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