Review of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011) by Matthew L — 05 Nov 2014

At the end of the first movie, Johnny Blaze realizes he can use his powers for good. Now with no transition or explanation, he becomes a recluse and resents his powers. The main plot involves Johnny reluctantly helping a monk protect a boy from becoming a human vessel for the devil to occupy.

That premise is fine but it never goes anywhere. The flimsy structure is incredibly one-note. You might think a movie like that would make it up with lots of action scenes and visual splendor, but it does not.

There are a few fight scenes, but they are so uneventful and slow they are actually boring. Even the special effects are well below par. Nicholas Cage is hard to buy as haunted stuntman and former wild-child.

There is nothing stoic about him. The digital form if Ghost Rider is even flatter. At least, Idris Elba has some presence, but his role is limited as a supporting character. Things happen, but they are not exciting and there is no emotion or impact.

It is so underdeveloped it hurts. When a paper-thin plot is the best thing going for a movie, you have a disaster and that is what this second Ghost Rider movie is.