Blu-ray Review: ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ is Stupid Mess

CHICAGO – Ghost Rider should be a character who makes such an easy transition from comic book page to silver screen that it makes the failure of the two “Ghost Rider” films — the second of which, “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” was just been released on Blu-ray and DVD — that much more baffling. While the first film was deeply troubled, the second is just deeply stupid, missing most of the potential for B-movie greatness in favor of dull plotting, boring action, stiff performances, and total nonsense.

Rating: 1.0/5.0

There are moments when “Spirit of Vengeance” shows what it could have been if they had hired a more persuasive casting director and filmmakers who knew how to shoot an action scene. In one scene, Cage gets to completely unleash his madman persona as he tries his damnedest to keep his Rider half supressed a la Dr. Jekyll working hard not to become Mr. Hyde. When Cage goes loony in scenes like that, ones that almost seem designed to be included in YouTube mash-ups, “Spirit” finds a bit of fun. But SO much of the film is remarkably dull. The action, what little of it there is, too often plays as incomprehensible and the film has ZERO personality or rising action. You just won’t give a damn about what’s going on. It was made by people who think LOUD! EXPLOSION! is the same as action and plot development. It’s not. The only purpose the action serves here is to keep you from falling asleep. Maybe the third time’s the charm.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 12, 2012
Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis:
Nicolas Cage returns as Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance. Still struggling with his curse as the devil’s bounty hunter, Johnny is hiding out in a remote part of Europe when he is recruited by a secret sect of the church to save a young boy from the devil. At first, Johnny is reluctant to embrace the power of the Ghost Rider, but it is the only way to protect the boy and possibly rid himself of his curse forever.

Special Features:
o Deleted Scenes
o Directors’ Expanded Video Commentary
o The Path To Vengeance - Six Part Documentary

[9]	By BRIAN TALLERICO [10] Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com [9]