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Join UsThe Ghost Rider (Nicolas Cage) is recruited by a secret sect of the church to save a boy (Fergus Riordan) from the devil. Is he able to do that? Read the review of Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance for more.
Business rating: 0.5 / 5 stars (Half star)
Star cast: Nicolas Cage, Fergus Riordan, Violante Placido, Ciaran Hinds, Idris Elba, Johnny Whitworth.
What’s Good: A few action scenes.
What’s Bad: The screenplay of convenience; the tedious drama; Nicolas Cage’s uninspiring performance.
Verdict: Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance is a weak fare which will appeal only to a select few who like action films.
Loo break: Several.
Watch or Not?:Watch it only if you liked Ghost Rider, the first film in the series.
Columbia Pictures, Hyde Park Entertainment, Imagenation Abu Dhabi, Marvel Knights and Warner Bros. Pictures’ Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance is an action thriller in the Ghost Rider series.
Johnny Blaze a.k.a. Ghost Rider (Nicolas Cage) is a former star stuntman who made a deal with the devil to save his own father’s life. As part of the deal, Johnny was cursed with the power to eat the souls of sinners.
As his dark powers kept growing, Ghost Rider took refuge in a remote corner of Eastern Europe. But even there, he is sought out by Moreau (Idris Elba), a fighter-priest, who wants Ghost Rider to help him trace Danny (Fergus Riordan). Danny is a child who has been kidnapped by a mercenary, Ray Carrigan (Johnny Whitworth), who is working at the behest of the devil. The priest promises the Ghost Rider that if he can help rescue Danny, he will take the soul-eating curse off him.
The devil, we are told, regularly descends upon earth as a human being and makes ‘deals’ with people. While the Ghost Rider emerged out of one such deal, Danny was born out of another one made with his mother, Nadya (Violante Placido). Is Danny then the devil’s son? Is the Ghost Rider able to save Danny? What about Danny’s mother? What does the devil want from Danny?
Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance Review: Script Analysis
David S. Goyer’s story, based on the Marvel comic series, is ordinary. The screenplay, by Scott M. Gimple, Seth Hoffman and David S. Goyer, is predictable and is devoid of any emotional and dramatic moments. However, the writers provide ample scope for high-octane action sequences, of which a few are well-choreographed. But since the audience’s sympathy goes neither to the child nor to the Ghost Rider, who is the devil’s stooge, it is not engaged in the drama at all. A faint attempt has been made towards the end of the story to make both the characters seem positive, but it seems contrived.
In spite of plenty of action sequences, the narrative moves forward at a very leisurely pace and, in the absence of many twists and turns, it just ends up boring the viewer. The dialogues are very ordinary.
On the plus side, a few action sequences in the film are rather entertaining, more so in the 3D version.
Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance Review: Star Performances
Nicolas Cage goes through his role of Ghost Rider mechanically. His face is expressionless and he mouths his lines with no emotion at all. Fergus Riordan, as Danny, does an okay job. Violante Placido, as Danny’s mother, is alright. Ciaran Hinds, as the devil, impresses in a small role. Idris Elba (as Moreau) looks rugged and acts well. Johnny Whitworth (as Ray Carrigan) and Christopher Lambert (as Methodius) disappoint. Others offer below-average support.
Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance Review: Direction & Editing
Neveldine and Taylor’s direction concentrates of making the most of the action sequences, ignoring the script almost altogether. This might be alright for some viewers, who may be fans of the earlier Ghost Rider film, but the majority of audience will reject this film as it is found lacking in entertainment value. David Sardy’s background score is very loud and jarring at times and alright at others. Brandon Trost’s cinematography is suitable. Production design, by Kevin Phipps, is good. The visual effects are nice, especially with respect to the burning head of the Ghost Rider. The 3D effects are effective in a few scenes. Editing, by Brian Berdan, could have been sharper.
Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance Review: The Last Word
On the whole, Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance is a poor fare which will be liked only by a very few for its action scenes. Overall, the film will be rejected at the Indian box-office.
