This one kicks the first movie straight in the teeth! It is a much better, more exciting and more accurate Ghost Rider film. I LOVED this film, and I would recommend it to anyone, BUT you must know a few things before you go into it. I am a HUGE Ghost Rider fan, he is my favorite comic book character and any fan should like this film, if they don't, then they obviously haven't read the newer comics because they are very close to this style. But before you see this film, understand two things:
Ghost Rider is a GRINDHOUSE CHARACTER. He always has been. The comics, especially the newer ones are very schlocky and pulpy. I mean, this is a comic in which the characters include, but are not limited to, hill billy cannibals, a man with an eye ball for his entire head, insane cops, hot virgin nuns toting huge machine guns, and a demon that uses his penis as a tentacled weapon (this same demon breaks a man's back by shoving the guy's head up his ass and then refers to him as "Buttview" the rest of the comic). This is midnight movie material. And you must understand this first.
Second is the directors. These are the guys who did Crank, Crank 2: High Voltage, and Gamer. They have a very chaotic, energetic, and unique style of filming. They shot on cables and roller blades for some shots. And the editing is even more insane.
This understood, you will thoroughly enjoy this film. It has Ghost Rider being awesome, demonic, and kicking ass. Nicolas Cage is gleefully over the top and his portrayal of Johnny Blaze is MUCH better than in the first film. He is sarcastic, dark, and crazy, which is good for this character. I mean, his head catches fire, he's not exactly going to be the most stable human being. Next is Idris Elba, who is probably the best part of the film. You really can tell he had a blast as this character and he adds charisma to the film and is truly a joy when he's on screen. Johnny Whitworth does a very good job as Blackout, who is VERY accurate to the comic's character. I was afraid because the directors said they didn't base him on the comic's version. But whether that was a lie, or by complete accident, they got him nearly dead on. They even gave him more powers which make him more of a force to be reckoned with. His Blackout is very Mic Jager/Rock and Roll influenced, which is fine because in the newer comics, Blackout was very "punk rock" in his attitude.
There are some missteps and the film isn't perfect. The story isn't that in depth, the dialogue is less than stellar and it is a bit short. But when it comes to doing the character justice, this is the best adaptation out there.
All in all, if you have read this review and you think this is something you might be interested in, GO SEE IT! It is much better than the first one, and much more exciting. Ghost Rider is nuts and vicious which is what his character is suppose to be. It has a very pulpy feel and that totally works for this character. The action is intense with the camera angles putting you right there in the middle of it. I really hope these guys come back and do a third and make it bigger and better. Go see this film for a good old fashioned pulp good time. And hell, who wouldn't wanna see Ghost Rider making a hell fire mining bagger and wrecking a dozen guys with it?
Ghost Rider is a GRINDHOUSE CHARACTER. He always has been. The comics, especially the newer ones are very schlocky and pulpy. I mean, this is a comic in which the characters include, but are not limited to, hill billy cannibals, a man with an eye ball for his entire head, insane cops, hot virgin nuns toting huge machine guns, and a demon that uses his penis as a tentacled weapon (this same demon breaks a man's back by shoving the guy's head up his ass and then refers to him as "Buttview" the rest of the comic). This is midnight movie material. And you must understand this first.
Second is the directors. These are the guys who did Crank, Crank 2: High Voltage, and Gamer. They have a very chaotic, energetic, and unique style of filming. They shot on cables and roller blades for some shots. And the editing is even more insane.
This understood, you will thoroughly enjoy this film. It has Ghost Rider being awesome, demonic, and kicking ass. Nicolas Cage is gleefully over the top and his portrayal of Johnny Blaze is MUCH better than in the first film. He is sarcastic, dark, and crazy, which is good for this character. I mean, his head catches fire, he's not exactly going to be the most stable human being. Next is Idris Elba, who is probably the best part of the film. You really can tell he had a blast as this character and he adds charisma to the film and is truly a joy when he's on screen. Johnny Whitworth does a very good job as Blackout, who is VERY accurate to the comic's character. I was afraid because the directors said they didn't base him on the comic's version. But whether that was a lie, or by complete accident, they got him nearly dead on. They even gave him more powers which make him more of a force to be reckoned with. His Blackout is very Mic Jager/Rock and Roll influenced, which is fine because in the newer comics, Blackout was very "punk rock" in his attitude.
There are some missteps and the film isn't perfect. The story isn't that in depth, the dialogue is less than stellar and it is a bit short. But when it comes to doing the character justice, this is the best adaptation out there.
All in all, if you have read this review and you think this is something you might be interested in, GO SEE IT! It is much better than the first one, and much more exciting. Ghost Rider is nuts and vicious which is what his character is suppose to be. It has a very pulpy feel and that totally works for this character. The action is intense with the camera angles putting you right there in the middle of it. I really hope these guys come back and do a third and make it bigger and better. Go see this film for a good old fashioned pulp good time. And hell, who wouldn't wanna see Ghost Rider making a hell fire mining bagger and wrecking a dozen guys with it?