The original Ghost Rider met with mixed reviews more bad than good, but the look of the character was really well done. No one figured they would make a sequel unless they decided to reboot the series. With this latest entry they did just that with a sequel to reboot the series. Unlike most films that do this, they brought Nicolas Cage back to reprise his role, but handed the reigns over to the directors of the Crank films Neveldine and Taylor. Will this next chapter improve on the first or be another road straight to hell?
Spirit of Vengeance follows the Ghost Rider who has been living in exile in Europe. When a member of a monastery promises him a cure to the curse if he protects a boy who could bring the apocalypse the Ghost Rider rides again. This is far from a perfect film and is better on some levels than the first film, but at the same time it is a different kind of film. The look and feel of Ghost Rider steps out of the comic look from the first entry and attempts to make place him more in the real world. It works on most levels, but much like the original, you just don’t get enough of him. What you do get of him though is awesome, with some great new uses of his power. In addition they bring in another character Blackout from the comic and although changed his origin and power, has a more accurate look and portrayal than that of any of the villains in the first film. At times this film was a bit slow attempting to build on the story, but sadly there isn’t enough here to need it. Nicolas Cage clearly loves playing this character, but approaches it way over the top this time around. Although it is understood of what he is trying to do with the character, he takes it to an almost laughable level losing the point in between.
This was another decent edition to a franchise that just can’t seem to find the right fit. In all reality this is a dark character that needs a dark film. These guys can make it happen, but just have to crank it up. If you avoided the original film, no need to see it to check this one out as they recap and make some minor adjustments to fit this current film. This one wasn’t horrible and is better than the original, but there are still some things to work out, let’s hope they get the chance.
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