Post by Pear on Aug 23, 2015 19:30:36 GMT -5
“A long time ago, we used to be friends.”
Veronica Mars began with an emphasis on past vs. present, on the change Veronica went through from popular kid to social outcast/private detective. Seeing as the movie jumps a decade forward after the final episode of the series, there’s inevitably a sense of change in the air here as well; however, the words “we used to be friends” now have a brighter, kinder light shining around them. There’s still the Madison Sinclair rivalry and the sex tape and the class issues, but the past is more a place of belonging than a gaping hellhole never to be revisited. And with a brighter view of the relationships formed in the past–with Wallace and Mac and Logan and all the rest–Veronica can look forward with clearer eyes, a fuller heart, and a can’t lose attitude.
Much of the movie plays as an extended reunion between all the characters (that culminates in an actual reunion). I’m watching this days after finishing the series, but it’s still an incredibly enjoyable experience to see all these old friends catching up. Whether it’s in the form of Leo and Veronica wondering what could’ve been at the FBI or Keith getting excited after seeing his daughter or Logan and Veronica exchanging smoldering glances or Wallace and Mac drinking beers with Veronica, it’s just plain awesome to watch. The fans made this movie possible, they’re getting what they want to see, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Of course, with so much time devoted to the aforementioned characters–plus Vinnie Van Lowe, Weevil, Dick, Cliff, and even James Franco–the central mystery itself is bound to get the short end of the stick. It’s definitely a weak storyline because the show’s mysteries have never really fit a movie format, but that’s a minor quibble for me; a good amount of the movie is structured around the Carrie Bishop murder, yet it doesn’t necessarily hinge on the success of that mystery. What these characters have been up to and where they want to go next is much more interesting to me.
The movie ultimately comes down to a choice for Veronica Mars, a choice about where she wants to go next in life: back to Mars Investigations or to a New York City law firm. She’ll have massive student loans either way, but that aside, the choice gets at the heart of her character and at Neptune itself. Problems persist and things stay the same, but that doesn’t mean she can’t find happiness in the place she calls home. Her future is here in Neptune, and no one else can make that choice for her. Keep being your lovable, sarcastic, cynical self, Veronica Mars. I’ll miss you.
GRADE: B
OTHER THOUGHTS:
– “It’s been boring.” The Clemmons-Veronica scene is all of 15-20 seconds, but it’s one of my favorite scenes of the movie.
-My absolute favorite scene of the movie, though, is the Logan-Veronica nighttime car ride. Everything about it is pitch perfect: Veronica’s “Let’s take the long way home”, Sufjan Stevens’s “Chicago”, and the overall atmosphere.
-One thing I would’ve liked to see: more of a picture of who Veronica Mars is post-law school. I get the point of showing old ties, but I don’t get much of a sense of change. What’s her new world like?
-I love the movie for bringing back Martina Vasquez.
-I’m guessing that Weevil’s working undercover for Veronica at the end. At least, hopefully he is. His story is one of the ones that’s left more open ended, and I’m definitely interested in seeing more of it in potential future installments. Weevil’s consistently been one of our main insights into the classism in Neptune, and those issues definitely show up again in the movie.
-Count me in as one of the ones who doesn’t think Piz and Veronica work as well as Veronica and Logan. It does make some sense why the former couple would stick together, though, OUTSIDE of Neptune. Piz represents something other than Neptune, whereas Logan is very much Neptune.
-A sequel would definitely be nice, but I’d be much more in favor of a miniseries if the show were to continue. Also, thanks to Captcha Reader for letting me know that novels exist as well.
-That’s it for Veronica Mars coverage! Thanks for reading. That's FNL, BSG, and Veronica Mars down. My favorite episodes, in no particular order: “Pilot”, “An Echolls Family Christmas”, “Clash of the Tritons”, “Weapons of Class Destruction”, “A Trip to the Dentist”, “Leave it to Beaver”, “Rat Saw God”, “Happy Go Lucky”, “Not Pictured”, and “Spit & Eggs”.