I'm not the greatest fan of the first Ghost Rider film. For a film that is both a super hero adventure AND a dark, twisted supernatural horror story, the original production team opted to go with a family friendly, brightly coloured, comic book yarn. The results felt like a watered down, missed opportunity that was only enlivened with Nicholas Cage's inspired performance as Johnny Blaze.
For the sequel, the direction has been turned over to Crank's masters of disaster Neveldine and Taylor who recognise that to make Ghost Rider work as a cinematic concept you have to embrace to wacky, nutty concept. Although Ghost Rider Spirit Of Vengeance is still a PG-13 film, it looks and feels like an R-Rated action/horror/thriller. The stark eastern European landscapes are more edgy than the safe cityscapes of the first film, the hand held camerawork make the audience feel less as ease and the imagery is more raw and textured.
Aside from the expected visual inventiveness of the directors most of the films success comes down to The Rider himself. Nicholas Cage doubles down on his bonkers portrayal from part 1 and gets to play Ghost Rider himself this time (rather than a nameless stuntman), meaning the flame skulled one is off his tits on Cageness. Secondly, the costume design and effects used to realise Ghost Rider are far more effective this time, making him feel a realistic and scary supernatural presence.
Of course the more bonkers approach may put off more mainstream audiences while the camerawork, photography and locations occasionally lend the film a cheap vibe (at least until the ace effects bling things up). But it's these very things that gives this superior sequel its distinct visual signature. There's a moment which sums up Spirit Of Vengeance you may have seen at the end of its trailer which show what it's like when Ghost Rider has to take a piss. In the movie, as he's urinating, he turns to camera and grins signalling to the audience the irreverent, cheeky direction the franchise is heading in. Of course, if you're in on the joke, that is the moment the movie will connect with you directly....and that's just fine with me.
1 comment:
Agreed. I loved this movie after not much liking the original and fearing the worst here. Going the cheaper, dafter, more exploitation route paid off handsomely as did allowing Cage to actually BE GR. Plus, as you say, the GR effects are waaay better this time out. Utterly bonkers fun. Now, Nevaldine/Taylor, Crank 3 please?
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