Never watching Veronica Mars prior to the buzz about the shortly to be released movie in 2014 I was bemused by the story of a semi-short lived series whose fans funded the movie. There must be something pretty good here, right? So, I just watched the pilot and my ruminations will be only on that realizing it is only fair to not judge the series, simply the pilot. Right off, there's the character of Veronica as brought to life by Kristen Bell. Bell is instantly likable and the idea of a teenage private eye is good if not entirely original, or even terribly believable. Bell is so right for the role it works well, using her voice-over narration moves the story as if the viewer is right in her shoes. Add the funky and picturesque fictional beach town of Neptune (I think?) and this could be drivel is already better than it should be.
The story goes Veronica's fall from grace was due to her father, the sheriff, bumbling the investigation of a billionaires deceased daughter. That deceased teen happened to be Veronica's best friend putting her in a wonky situation among super judgemental rich kids and their parents. The father now being a down private eye with Veronica rushing in to, more or less, save the day. Veronica is sort of a tough little gal as we soon learn. She has had to become a survivor early as not only her best friend was murdered, but her dad lost his job, her mom couldn't take it and left, and...Oh, she was a victim of the date rape drug at a party. As proof of her "never say never" to backing down there's a scene where she handles, quite casually, a budding motorcycle gang not so friendly intentions.
Now, there's a growing elephant in this room and it's the believability factor. Adults usually pack up the tents for a lot less but, Veronica is somehow empowered. There's the rub: you have to get on board and forget the lack of realism for the ride. Bell's Mars characterization is so well suited it demands the viewer to "roll with it". Veronica is a great underdog survivor, independent and embracing outcasts such as her friend Wallace (intentional name irony?). She stands alone...And, really carries the series plain and simple. So, even though there's lameness within the plot, there's some good entertainment out of the gate straight away. In other words, I want to see more.
The story goes Veronica's fall from grace was due to her father, the sheriff, bumbling the investigation of a billionaires deceased daughter. That deceased teen happened to be Veronica's best friend putting her in a wonky situation among super judgemental rich kids and their parents. The father now being a down private eye with Veronica rushing in to, more or less, save the day. Veronica is sort of a tough little gal as we soon learn. She has had to become a survivor early as not only her best friend was murdered, but her dad lost his job, her mom couldn't take it and left, and...Oh, she was a victim of the date rape drug at a party. As proof of her "never say never" to backing down there's a scene where she handles, quite casually, a budding motorcycle gang not so friendly intentions.
Now, there's a growing elephant in this room and it's the believability factor. Adults usually pack up the tents for a lot less but, Veronica is somehow empowered. There's the rub: you have to get on board and forget the lack of realism for the ride. Bell's Mars characterization is so well suited it demands the viewer to "roll with it". Veronica is a great underdog survivor, independent and embracing outcasts such as her friend Wallace (intentional name irony?). She stands alone...And, really carries the series plain and simple. So, even though there's lameness within the plot, there's some good entertainment out of the gate straight away. In other words, I want to see more.