Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012)

Genre

Action | Fantasy

Directors

Mark Neveldine | Brian Taylor

Country

USA | United Arab Emirates

Cast

Nicolas Cage, Johnny Whitworth, Fergus Riordan, Ciarán Hinds, Violante Placido, Idris Elba, Christopher Lambert, Anthony Head, Jacek Koman, Vincent Regan, Spencer Wilding

Storyline

Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) is on the run trying to make sure no one is harmed by his alter ego, the Ghost Rider. When in Eastern Europe, he is approached by a monk named Moreau (Idris Elba) who tells him that he can help be him free of the Rider, but first, he needs Johnny's help to protect a boy (Fergus Riordan).

Opinion

While I'm still trying to figure out if this is a sequel or a reboot to the 2007 disaster starring Nicolas Cage, my mind is pervaded with a question: why on earth did Idris Elba accept to work in this mess? Why? The only reason why I watched the whole film is because I couldn't write a truthful review without seeing the whole thing - and there is always a slightly chance of it getting better, isn't there? Anyway, I should mention that I got lost several times: it's impossible to focus on something when the only emotion you feel is boredom. 

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance attempts at showing the dark side of the Rider, but instead delivers a dull story, poorly told, acted, and shot. 

Here's what gave me the doubt about the sequel/reboot matter. This film completely ignores the first one, showing Johnny signing the contract through a flashback, in a very different way compared to the one shown in the first film.

I'd like to say the writing is the worst thing about the film, but everything is so bad, it's hard to say what's worst. The plot is sadly stupid, and the cheesy dialogue will make you either laugh or cry for its awfulness. Not to mention the characters, the awful villain in particular, who doesn't even gets his superpowers until halfway through the film. 

Oh, the camera. It was awful. Shaky, with bad angles, it made me feel sick. The special effects don't get any better. However, what people look for in an action film is action itself, am I right? Too bad, it is awful like everything else. What's the point of using tons of slow motion in an action movie? Seriously Hollywood stop, because that's not cool. Nobody likes that. Also, the fights are so not believable. In real life, nobody is going to wait to be shot or punched.

Overall the acting is so poor, kids from middle school could win an Oscar if compared to this cast. Nicolas Cage is painful to watch. He still looks excited for playing a comic book character, but his facial expressions are so dumb. Ciarán Hinds did the best he could with his awful villain. Violante Placido is only eye-candy. The only good reason to watch this crap is Idris Elba. Even though his character has nothing to do, he steals every scene he is in, giving a great performance as alcoholic monk Monroe.