'Super Troopers 2' joining cohort of fan-funded films

Passing its $2m goal within a day of launching on Indiegogo, cop comedy "Super Troopers 2" is the latest in a cadre of fan-funded films to emerge from the distributed funding model. We summarize the fortunes of four from recent times -- "Wish I Was Here," "Veronica Mars," "Reach Me" and the upcoming "Ned Rifle."

Wish I Was Here (2014)

Zach Braff fronted a campaign to direct and star in this coming-of-middle-age film, raising $3.1m in the process, and though it was certainly typical of Braff's style, critics felt that its similarity made it limp in comparison.
IMDB: 6.7/10 User Rating
Metacritic: 43 Metascore, 6.7 User Rating
Rotten Tomatoes: 46% Tomatometer, 62% Audience Score

Veronica Mars (2014)

A chance to tie up all those loose ends and return to a well-loved but canceled TV series gave Rob Thomas the opportunity needed to reunite screen star Kristen Bell and the rest of the cast thanks to $5.7m total donations on Kickstarter. Wisely, given the distributed nature of its online fan commnuity, the film was given a same-day VOD download as its limited theatrical release.
IMDB: 6.9/10 User Rating
Metacritic: 62/100 Metascore, 7.9 User Score
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% Tomatometer, 80% Audience Score

Reach Me (2014)

Not one but two crowdfunding campaigns were proposed -- first on Kickstarter, then replaced on Indiegogo -- to make up a shortfall when one of the film's more established backers pulled out during production, and eventually raising $181k. Its big name cast included Sylvester Stallone, Kelsey Grammer, Terry Crews, Kyra Sedgwick and Danny Trejo, but the finished article wasn't so much of a success.
IMDB: 4.9/10 User Rating
Metacritic: 21/100 Metascore, tbd User Score
Rotten Tomatoes: 0% Tomatometer, 59% Audience Score

Ned Rifle (2015)

With independent film director Hal Hartley looking to complete an intergenerational trilogy, Kickstarter visitors pitched in to the tune of $395k, ensuring that Aubrey Plaza would join returning cast members Parker Posey and Liam Aiken. Initial film festival screenings have led to a positive swell ahead of an April 2015 debut.
IMDB: 6.1/10 User Rating
Metacritic: 76/100 Metascore, tdb User Score
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% Tomatometer, tdb % Audience Score