Ghost Rider 2 : L'Esprit de vengeance

First of all I have to say that I wasn't particularly much of a fan of the first "Ghost Rider" movie, and much less fan of Nicolas Cage. But still, I decided to sit down and watch "Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance" of out sheer boredom.

Let it be said that "Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance" is actually much better than the first movie. There is a much darker touch and feel to part 2. The movie is more brutal and visual, and you get to see a more violent side to the rider.

Storywise, well then I think the movie was halting, because it was a sort of a weird hybrid mix of "Ghost Rider" and "Rosemary's Baby". It wasn't bad, don't get me wrong, however, it was just something of a cliché. Nothing surprisingly new or inventive here.

The effects and CGI though, were top notch. I liked what I saw and I was thoroughly entertained. I especially like the pyrotechnics and the smoke effects.

"Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance" had a good enough group of actors together. However, in my opinion, the movie was carried by Idris Elba (playing Moreau) and Johnny Whitworth (playing Ray Carrigan). What happened to the Ray character was really awesome. I am not familiar with the "Ghost Rider" comic books, so I have no idea whether or not that character is from the pages, but he was still cool and had really interesting powers.

For a Marvel movie, then "Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance" was actually a surprise for me. Especially because I am not too keen on men in spandex tights running around with super powers. "Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance" was darker, grittier and for a more mature audience.

One thing that I just had to shake my head in disbelief at was the in-you-face-lame raised finger morals with the "an illegal download" and the "crime doesn't pay" comments in the movie. Wow, could it get any more of a cliché? The "illegal download" comment was funny though, but it was not really at place in the intro.

The first Ghost Rider was already a disappointment – compared to other Marvel adaptations to the cinema, it was far under the average. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, however, is even worse. It didn't even look like a big Hollywood production – the special effects and the action sequences were sometimes absurd going to the ridiculous. It looked like a low budget film – a poor visual with only one or two exciting scenes - if I can call them exciting.

Then, there is the plot issue. Those 'blockbusters' are not supposed to have a story with philosophical meanings as they are made aiming pure entertainment, but this one actually didn't even have a story. It was totally redundant, silly and cliché – actually kind of ambiguous because the characters were not well explained or explored - things seemed too much up in the air leading the audience to nowhere.

Nicolas Cage also didn't help at all as he was not convincing on what he was doing. But, we can't put all the blame on him – the character was already badly written by the screenwriters who didn't know how to make him interesting. The Ghost Rider is not the conventional superhero – he has an obscure personality. So, where is this aspect on the story? Where is the true nature of the Marvel superheroes? In this film, there isn't any.

What surprises me most is the fact that this film coasted $75 million and no one knew how to make a good use of this big budget. It was a total waste of money and time – not only for the audience, but for the actors too. A superhero movie that promises more than it really has to offer. If you didn't like the first film, you'll probably hate this one.

Spirit Of Vengeance ignites onto the screen in a mass of blazing carnage and sizzling hot 3D visual effects. Packed with some of the most random and craziest images you'll ever see, Ghost Rider 2 will mess with your head. It's great to see Nicolas Cage go mental in his roles, he actually goes insane and you can tell that by the look in his eyes. This time Johnny Blaze is on a mission to save a boy from the devil. The story is basic and needs some more development but the 3D and action totally make up where the story doesn't. The Ghost Rider takes control of several vehicles and tears up location after location, one scene includes a giant quarry digger that sets aflame and starts crushing bad guys and blowing stuff up taking down multiple enemies, and he also takes on a whole motorway full of the Devil's right hand men which ends up in more destruction. Spirit Of Vengeance shows what 3D can do at it's best alongside the wild camera-work from Neveldine and Taylor. Glass shatters, flames and cinders float out the screen in extreme force. It's miles better than the first, Spirit Of Vengeance works due to the choppy camera-work, fiery visuals, Nic Cage and some wild 3D.

Wow, this movie was pretty bad. I have to say, as a general Marvel fanboy I usually find some way to enjoy even the worst of their offerings. However, there are so few redeeming qualities about "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" it becomes hard to watch. Most of the time the movie actually feels like a fan film. The tone is uneven, the camera work is strange, and most of the movie fails to mesh together. It's a shame because the first movie is decent.

You will have fun watching this movie, as a crazy fella than a normal movie critic trying to find what's wrong with this movie. The camera shot was amazing, Nicolas Cage's acting was at its best. The movie really shows that he cannot control the Rider inside him, and when its unleashed! Its mayhem! No body can stop him, even the devil himself. The recap of the story its very well said. This is not a direct squeal to the first one. But half squeal, the movie shows the rider is dark and not friendly. The way he fights is totally crazy. He fights more like a devil than human like in the first movie. The Red One Camera looks great. A treat for the eyes, then the cheeky-type of humor in it was good to laugh at also.

Even though the characters does not have much development, the feeling was not there.. It was missing something, but when Blaze turns into the rider everything changes. Especially the sound given by the bike or something before he arrives was totally epic. This Ghost Rider is something I did not expect, a story to be told differently to show that there is good in the rider. You will see what will happen in the movie if you watch. Even the devil will say to Blaze, this is the worst contract that I made. The devil, rider all are shown like real life like. That the move in the form of human rather than just disappearing away. Blaze wants to be a free man, the drunken monk wants to save the world from devil. The mom wants to save her son. So All you need is action from the first scene.

Personally I loved this film, I even went to change into a rider my self after watching this movie. But just that I can't do it. If you looking for craziness, abit of humor and great camera work this is the movie you should watch. Critics are gonna hate this movie. But people like me love it! So I am giving it 10/10