tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post3276578668355133205..comments2024-03-28T14:40:30.727-04:00Comments on Doux Reviews: Veronica MarsBillie Douxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-90451908508141774172014-06-25T01:11:10.054-04:002014-06-25T01:11:10.054-04:00Sorry about the length of this comment... There. Y...Sorry about the length of this comment... There. You have been warned!<br />While being aware of Veronica Mars for some years now thanks to this very site, I had not made the time to watch it till some weeks ago. Last night I finished season 3 and went right into the movie, and while I can't say if this increased or lessened my enjoyment, the movie did serve to reduce that sense of disorientation from those last few episodes. I really don't know what was going on with those episodes; they almost seem like a desperate last shot for sinister plots with not one but two secret societies unraveled by Veronica, and a sex tape mystery solved in record time. I don't know under what circumstances the show got cancelled but so many plots were left hanging... The movie on the other hand was very good and made time for everyone, even if the main plot did not really need them. From that perspective, it was indeed made for the fans, and that is exactly as it should be considering it was only made possible by the fans. <br />My only problems with the movie were my not being able to believe that Veronica would stay with Piz all those years, and how not having met his colleagues and parents shouted having had a foot out of the relationship all along. Veronica might get confused at times, especially when sniffing out a mystery, but the character never struck me as being needy or false enough to lead someone on for so long. As for the romance with Logan, what can I say; seeing the seasons in rapid succession has meant never being able to get pass his violent psychotic nature from season one. The guy was one step away from being a terrorist in my mind and later seasons only changed in how he was perceived through Veronica's character, not through my own eyes. To be quite honest, maybe my problem was with the actor's face all along; he was cast perfectly as a smug looking O-Niner but didn't work for me as a likeable love interest for our heroine.<br />Finally, I am not sure what happened with Weevil and the cops, so if there is ever a sequel or a mini-series or even a comic book series called Season 4, I want real development on this character or for him to be killed off - hopefully in heroic fashion. In the years between the third season and the movie he could have become a cop, a private eye, a community leader, youth worker, or even a full on crime lord who walks a fine moral line. Instead he is taken up to devoted family man with his own car shop, and back down to season one biker with no steps in between. Yes, he got shot, and framed, but with no real resolution on this, him getting on the bike again cheapens the sacrifice he made for his daughter. <br />Anyway, just to finish off I want to thank those who write the reviews. I don't often comment, and don't watch every show - who could really?! But I enjoy reading your insightful reviews and appreciate the space you give fans to really comment. You don't demand likes on Facebook or to subscribe to your Twitter or whatever, although you have all the right to. I doubt there is any business related aspect to this site, but even if there was, it's obvious the love for good TV shows and peer interaction comes first. So thank you! <br />my20centshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09638503676974182044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-71379564137031847712014-03-23T22:29:21.032-04:002014-03-23T22:29:21.032-04:00Finally got to see it -- wonderful review, Panda, ...Finally got to see it -- wonderful review, Panda, and I totally agree with every word you said. I loved it. And I loved it because it was a continuation of the series and because it didn't try to be an independent movie. I loved every reference to the series, every returning character, the focus on Veronica finding herself, her scenes with pretty much everyone. It wasn't a *great* mystery but it did its job. I'm proud to be a backer. And now that third season finale won't leave such a bad taste in my mouth.Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-25671978158709474142014-03-21T14:46:25.073-04:002014-03-21T14:46:25.073-04:00Panda--love the review.
I agree that it didn't...Panda--love the review.<br />I agree that it didn't feel like a film. I watched it on TV, too, to perhaps make matters worse. And there was a moment when I paused it and thought, "I wish this had at least three more hours to it, or HELL a whole season." I think I don't know how to consume the VM world any other way. <br />I also heard some reviews that stated it felt like it was really pandering to the fans and is this the problem with a fan funded project etc etc et al et al... I don't know what the answer is to that second part. I didn't feel pandered to. I think it's AMAZING it got made. It was the first (I am not counting TV shows that have been "saved" by the fans at the 11th hour) and I don't see it being the last. I think on every front, it's wildly successful. And watching it made me misty and nostalgic for these really compelling and dimensional characters and this universe and its plucky female lead and the subversive kicky dialogue... it was just so cool to step back into it, if only for a moment.<br />Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13953652907115935895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-22737604909376500382014-03-18T09:50:02.216-04:002014-03-18T09:50:02.216-04:00I'm a casual fan of VM at best (I watched the ...I'm a casual fan of VM at best (I watched the episodes one time each, back when they were originally shown, and I only remembered about half the characters) and I thought the movie was very good.TheShadowKnowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11073693648569864707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-17688302705427282992014-03-17T17:53:12.716-04:002014-03-17T17:53:12.716-04:00I am so glad that this movie got made. I found mys...I am so glad that this movie got made. I found myself hesitating when recommending anyone watch VM past season 2 because of the way season 3 finished. However, this movie brought up issues and characters from all seasons and it became so cohesive.<br /><br />On the shallow side of the pool, I think that everyone looked fabulous. I loved Mac's hair and Wallace's mustache. Weevil, Piz and Leo all looked better than ever and Dick, Cliff, Logan, Keith & Veronica all looked just as fabulous as they always have.<br /><br />It'd be a nice pipe dream to fantasize that this movie could spawn a network like Showtime, AMC or HBO picking it up again for a 10 episode season. I wouldn't want it to go to network TV cuz it's just too wonderful to hear Veronica say, "Fuck off." (nice cameo by her man, Dax, too.)topher darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03975242320282969525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-17498865080676559622014-03-17T16:32:13.951-04:002014-03-17T16:32:13.951-04:00Nick I thought it might be that... but in what way...Nick I thought it might be that... but in what way wasn't it resolved? Seems like his riding away on the bike shows he was cleared, otherwise he would have been behind bars...CrazyCrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240982215608638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-40293467069383988652014-03-16T19:19:40.620-04:002014-03-16T19:19:40.620-04:00CrazyChris, I assumed the B story involved Weevil ...CrazyChris, I assumed the B story involved Weevil being framed, and he rejoined the motorcycle gang. There wasn't a resolution to that in the movie.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08658615945692097009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-82175963509411574892014-03-16T14:57:47.222-04:002014-03-16T14:57:47.222-04:00Great review Panda!
I just saw it this afternoon, ...Great review Panda!<br />I just saw it this afternoon, for once able to see a movie un-dubbed and the same weekend it's airing in other parts of the world (yay Kickstarter rewards!). I don't think I was ever worried about being disappointed. The messages Rob Thomas kept putting out had me sure fans of the series would be happy (well, maybe not X-shippers). So many lovely little surprises on seeing these guys 9 years later! And some sad notes...<br /><br />So I for one am really happy with the result! And Logan in white?! Ooooh!!! :o) Not exactly sure to which B-story you guys are referring though... <br /><br />And I really do wonder how this movie will feel to newcomers, it was definitely a coda on the series... with some fun cameos! :pCrazyCrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240982215608638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-54914639017901799232014-03-16T08:00:38.706-04:002014-03-16T08:00:38.706-04:00The first season of Veronica Mars was one of the b...The first season of <i>Veronica Mars</i> was one of the best crafted mysteries I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Beautifully written, beautifully acted, red herrings galore, and enough clues that the killer was obvious once s/he was revealed. Like a great novel, the first season of the show is impossible to put down until the end.<br /><br />A movie is not a novel, however; it is a short story. What Rob Thomas excels in is crafting a mystery over time. This one felt rushed. I understand that needs must and that a movie is different from a series, but the underlying mystery was weakly put together.<br /><br />The B plot felt off to me as well, but I am sure that the intent of that story was to strengthen the idea that Neptune is a dark place and that redemption may not be forever.<br /><br />Although it doesn’t sound like it, I loved this movie. I loved it because it brought back the characters and their interactions which were the highlight of the show, especially the second and third series. Although I would love to have spent some more time with Wallace and Mac, I was thrilled at the amount of time we got to spend with Veronica and her dad. That relationship was, at least for me, the most important part of the series.<br /><br />Which brings me to Logan. I am one of those who shipped LoVe and I understand that Thomas & Co. were trying to give the fans what they want. Like the mystery, the two of them coming together so quickly was… well, it was too quick. Again, it is the short story aspect of a movie. Having said that, can we just pause for a moment and reflect on Logan in that uniform? Maybe it wasn’t so quick after all.<br /><br />Great review, Panda. I, too, would be very interested in hearing how this movie is received by people who had not seen the series. There were so many in jokes, so many allusions, so many reminders of why we all fell in love with Veronica. I lost count. Guess I’ll watch I need to watch it again, and then again.ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-9582883313821722132014-03-15T22:29:17.049-04:002014-03-15T22:29:17.049-04:00Veronica Mars was one of my favourite shows back i...<i>Veronica Mars</i> was one of my favourite shows back in the day. As it happened, I'd actually tune in every Tuesday night to watch the episodes. <br /><br />It made for something of an angsty viewing for me during the super-bumpy third season. The pain was made worse by that sorta-cliffhanger of a finale.<br /><br />Even though I was excited at the prospect of a new adventure for Veronica and co., I also wary that the movie wouldn't work.<br /><br />Silly me, really, because this movie was everything I'd wanted and then some!<br /><br />I loved seeing what everyone's been up to in the past 9 years. It was pretty obvious that the actors really liked their characters so their portrayals of Veronica, Keith, Wallace, etc was as genuine as if they had just finished filming season 10 of the show.<br /><br />The mystery part really worked for me as well as the way Veronica dealt with her past and took steps to reach some level of self-actualization. It's not that she's generally clueless, but (without going into spoiler territory) she'd sorta run away from all things Neptune.<br /><br />I do have two minor complaints: the B-story seemed rushed and a step backwards for one of the characters involved. Also, I wished there had been more scenes with Veronica, Mac, and Wallace. <br /><br />It was a solid 4.5 movie for me too. <br /><br />I'm curious, though, as to how different this movie will be perceived by people who never watched/aren't familiar with the show.Lucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05612987173174005233noreply@blogger.com