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Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week.

Veronica Mars
Starring: Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni, Percy Daggs III, Tina Marjorino, Chris Lowell, and Ryan Hansen
Synopsis: In 2004 a quirky show about a teenage private detective hit the air on the UPN. Ostensibly it was aimed at teens, but it cultivated a core of die-hard fans through the three short years it was on the air. When “Veronica Mars” was cancelled following the 2006-2007 TV season, it left a void for that die-hard group of fans. They missed the characters, sure, but more so it was the way the final episode ended — a cliffhanger — that had fans constantly in search of answers. In the spring of 2013 the show’s creator and star tried something novel. To see if the fan interest was still high, they turned to Kickstarter, a crowd source Website, to fund a possible movie. The response was immediate, and greater than they’d hoped. Nearly a year later, the movie funded by fans opened on March 14. When the TV series “Veronica Mars” ended, most fans were dissatisfied. What would become of Veronica and her father? Would she end up with Piz or Logan? What would she end up doing? Years after the series ended, the fan interest in answering those questions remained. “Veronica Mars” the movie is the answer to those questions, and also a fascinating model for a film. Funded by fans, the success of the project could change the way these types of stories are told. “Veronica Mars” isn’t the first TV show cut off too soon according to fans that got a feature-length film to wrap things up. When “Firefly” lasted just 13 episodes on FOX, the movie “Serenity” provided a little closure. But this is the first time fans have funded the answer to their queries. The film is really aimed at long-time fans of the show, though it is accessible to those not familiar with the series. It begins with a recap of the show’s three seasons before diving into the this new story. But for those who were fans of the series, like myself, the film feels like a familiar slipper that you slide right into. I read one critic’s take that the movie felt like the pilot for a brand new series — or the opening salvo in a series of films. It certainly leaves the door open to that possibility while generating enough closure to satisfy fans left wondering after the final episode of the TV series aired. The film maintains the series’ trademark wit, humor and mix of mystery. The performances all work and feel familiar to fans. The story unfolds in an interesting and satisfying way and has cameos from all the people that populated the “Veronica Mars” universe. The film is in limited release, so it’s hard to find in theaters, but it is available via iTunes, On Demand and Pay-Per-View. For those that loved the series, this is a can’t miss coda on the tale of Veronica Mars.
Rating: PG-13 for sexuality including references, drug content, violence and some strong language.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, March 21 — "Divergent," "Muppets Most Wanted," "God's Not Dead"
Friday, March 28 — "Sabotage," "Noah," "A Haunted House 2"

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