First of all, don't believe everything you read. "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" has been taking a pounding by critics and fanboys. I had a date night with Mrs. Weekend Drive-In this week, and we checked it out.
I loved it!
Look, any movie about a flaming skeleton demon who rides a motorcycle isn't going to be a cinematic masterpiece. Plus, it's made by the dudes who made the "Crank" movies, so fans have to know what they're getting into.
Yes, the plot is flimsy at times. It focuses on former cycle daredevil Johnny Blaze (Nic Cage at his nuttiest), who made a bad pact with the devil and turns into the fiery, skull-faced Ghost Rider. In short, he's out to save a kid (who is the unwitting spawn of Satan). Joining Blaze is action monk Moreau (Idris Elba - star of two other comic movies "The Losers" and "Thor"), who likes to drink and can handle high-powered firearms. The adversaries are the devil himself (a creepy looking Ciaran Hinds) and Blackout (Johnny Whitworth), a super villain who looks like Edgar Winter. Also, look for Christopher "Highlander" Lambert as a creepy monk covered in tattoos.
The movie is quite a bit darker than its predecessor but never loses its comic book sensibilities. The action sequences are entertaining enough, and Cage steps up the lunacy as he laughs, snarls, growls and mumbles through the movie. Hinds also deserves a hand for playing a well-dressed and deformed devil.
As far as comic movies go, it's pretty cool. Of course, it's no "Iron Man," but I'll take it. Honestly, I had more fun watching this than the "Dark Knight" (an overrated film every that elitist fanboy swears by). I believe "Spirit of Vengeance" clocked in at about 90 minutes, which was perfect! No drawn out chase scenes, no talky interludes, no unnecessary romance angles.
So, call me crazy, but I do recommend "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance." And yes, see it on the big screen! We have to support as many theatrical B-horror, super hero flicks as possible!
Forget what every comic movie site tells you. "Spirit of Vengeance" delivers the goods. They might not be Oscar-worthy goods, but they're certainly worth checking out.
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