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arrowReview: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Review: Thor
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Sucker Punch Review


Review: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Eric Schaen (02/20/2012)
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Goto Comments

Johnny Whitworth as BlackoutThe acting in the film is actually not bad. Nic Cage gives a solid enough performance this time around. In particular, there are some fun moments that show his struggle to contain his demon within. Cage seems to be having a little more fun with the role this time around. Idris Elba is likeable as Moreau the wine-loving warrior monk. He brings a hint of credibility to this otherwise absurd set of circumstances. Violante Placido works as Nadya. She tries to convey a mother’s love for her child, but in a film like this there just isn’t enough time to really capture those hallmark moments.

Johnny Whitworth is believable as the drug-dealing, gun-running, scumbag of the film, Carrigan. Heck, I couldn’t wait to see “the Rider” give him what for. However, when he becomes the villain Blackout he doesn’t seem to know exactly how to handle the transition. Veteran actor Ciarán Hinds having starred in such films as “Road to Perdition” and “There Will Be Blood” has showed his acting chops. Sadly, he is underutilized and does not get a chance to do a whole lot with a fun role like playing “the Devil.”

Probably the best thing this film has going for it is “the Rider” himself. In the previous film, the CGI effects made Ghost Rider appear more cartoonish. In Spirit of Vengeance, they made the smart decision to use the actor more and it works. He looks much more like a bad-ass biker demon from hell this time. Mr. Cage also added some interesting choices with the Ghost Rider’s body language and he feels much more menacing this time around. When you see him approaching the bad guys, you understand why they are going number two in their pants. Unfortunately, if you have seen the trailer and some of the scenes via internet, you have already witnessed the best GR moments in the film.


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Your Comments:
Watched it, seems like they started over with the origin because it was almost nothing like the first one(the basic story is the same but completly different scene). However I liked this one better than the first one, the rider is more memerable. My sister watched this with me and the first one and she barely remembers the first but really liked this one.

Posted by: joe on 3/9/2012 8:25:33 PM
I plan on watching this solely because I haven't missed a comic ook movie in theatres scince spiderman one

Posted by: bio on 2/23/2012 8:59:02 PM
I watched this movie last night, and couldn't help but think I could do a better job writing-wise of bridging this movie to the last one while updating the feel.

Ghost Rider now changes during the day: I like that change, but all they had to do was a add an short explanation that the Ghost Rider is gaining in influence.

Ghost Rider now swallows souls instead of the penance stare: This change was unnecessary and they missed out on the chance for serious punishment graphics.

Ghost Rider has embraced his dual nature at the end of each movie, and yet we find him "on the run" and going insane at the beginning of this one: This could have been explained better with a montage of failed ventures.

Posted by: Kragnorak on 2/21/2012 9:42:52 AM
@lordoracle: I agree with you about the pick-and-choose nature of characters' origins in comic-based movies, but your Ultimate Spider-Man reference is off the mark. Even Ultimate Peter Parker invented his web-shooters (using some of his father's designs for the web fluid, if I recall); the organic web-shooters were Sam Raimi's call which got put INTO the 616 Spider-Man in "The Other." Now we're back to tech web-shooters, and allis right with the universe. :)

Posted by: talebearer on 2/20/2012 5:10:42 PM
@ Sir Christopher

It's one thing to alter the origin from the comic (which I understand the need to update it for the modern age). But when they ignore the origin THEY set in the first movie, that is where lies my problem.

As Dr. Silly pointed out, the Marvel movies are not using the Ulitmate universe origins, but they are using them as a base since they lend themselves to modern technology and understanding of things like radiation. In addition to Sam Jackson as Nick Fury, another thing from the Ultimate universe that they used was Spider-Man's organic web-shooters.

Posted by: lordoracle on 2/20/2012 4:01:13 PM
@ Sir Christopher

actually the movies are not based on the ultimates universe other than the use of sam jackson as Nick fury. They are simplu updated versions of the character borrowing from various sources.

Now you Know...

Posted by: Dr. Silly on 2/20/2012 1:26:17 PM
"lordoracle: ... The origin from the first was largely ignored, making it appear that he was already a stunt rider before his father died, not the unknown teenager from the first. They made Mephisto into a transitory entity, possessing bodies who had to rely on human transportation. In the first, he appeared where and when he wanted.

The story wasn't horrible, but the writing was. It seemed like they just threw away all but the base of the origin from the first.

I accept that they cannot do a true comic story because of background stories and such, but if they can at least keep the essence of the characters I'm ok with it. The portrayal of Johnny Blaze wasn't. The characterization of of Blaze as a pillhead was so far out there.

One thing I did like was the use of the new comic origin of the Rider."

Welcome to Hollywood Movies. Can't think of a Comic character that Hollywood ahs not changed or changed their origin. Granted I have not seen all of the Movies and realize that most of the latest Marvel movies are based on the Ultimates Universe (I never really cared for that Universe). The only one that I can remember they did not screw up were very old movies. Dr Strange, Punisher (Dalf Lengren)and the Movies from the 60's or earlier(Green Hornet, Batman, Etc)

Posted by: Sir Christopher on 2/20/2012 1:18:05 PM
Rider(greater than)Suckerpunch

Posted by: mycheda on 2/20/2012 10:08:10 AM
I'm sorry, I have to disagree. The first movie was better than this one. The cinematography of the Rider made him look mindless and a lot of his movements look like they were filmed using a strobe light w/o the light (choppy).

The origin from the first was largely ignored, making it appear that he was already a stunt rider before his father died, not the unknown teenager from the first. They made Mephisto into a transitory entity, possessing bodies who had to rely on human transportation. In the first, he appeared where and when he wanted.

The story wasn't horrible, but the writing was. It seemed like they just threw away all but the base of the origin from the first.

I accept that they cannot do a true comic story because of background stories and such, but if they can at least keep the essence of the characters I'm ok with it. The portrayal of Johnny Blaze wasn't. The characterization of of Blaze as a pillhead was so far out there.

One thing I did like was the use of the new comic origin of the Rider.

I'd have to give this 1 Skull (or half a Skull).

Posted by: lordoracle on 2/20/2012 8:56:59 AM