Movie Ghost Rider 3D: Spirit of Vengeance (12A)
Jenness Mitchell • Published 17 Feb 2012 08:00
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Marvel Comics' Johnny Blaze returns for retribution as the motorcycle-wielding Ghost Rider.
Running from his curse as the vigilante Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze (Nicholas Cage) - the stunt motorcyclist who sold his soul to the devil - has secluded himself in Eastern Europe. Mentally exhausted from trying to control his power of turning into a flaming skeleton that sucks souls right out of people, Johnny is given a chance to free himself of the torment when he is called upon by Moreau (Idris Elba) to stop the Devil/Roarke (Ciarán Hinds) from taking human form in the shape of young boy Danny (Fergus Riordan). The only thing standing in Johnny's way is Ray Carrigan/Blackout (Johnny Whitworth), who can kill with the touch of decay.
Nicholas Cage is a well-known comic book fan. Highlights from his past collection included the 1940 Detective #38 which featured the debut of Batman's sidekick Robin, Action Comics #1 recording the first appearance of Superman, and All-Star Comic #3 which introduced the Justice Society of America (Green Lantern, Hawkman, the Flash, Hourman, Dr Fate, the Spectre, the Sandman and the Atom). Cage is that much of an admirer he even called his son Kal-El (Superman's real name). Unfortunately when it comes to comic book movies, the Gone in 60 Seconds star is not so lucky.
Back in the late 90's Cage signed on to play Superman in the Kevin Smith-penned Superman Lives. Pre-production got underway in early 1998, with Batman's Tim Burton taking the helm. Several re-writes ensued and Cage had even had his initial costume fitting, but then he dropped out entirely in 2000 due to creative differences. The 8MM actor almost played Scarecrow in a further Joel Schumacher Batman film (following Batman Forever and Batman & Robin) before that idea was scrapped, and he was also offered the role of the Green Goblin in 2002's Spider-Man. Given Cage's passion for the genre, I was pleased to see him sign on to 2007's Ghost Rider. Regrettably, although co-starring the gorgeous Eva Mendes and the inspired casting of Easy Rider's Peter Fonda as Mephistopheles/the Devil, the film itself was awful. When I heard a sequel was in the works I couldn't believe Cage was returning to the franchise after his brilliant outing in Matthew Vaughn's Kick-Ass. However, directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank, Gamer), Johnny Blaze has come back swinging.
If you know your Marvel, the Spirit of Vengeance is Ghost Rider from an alternative future. This time round Neveldine and Taylor, taking over from Mark Steven Johnson, have crafted a more creepy, demonic and erratic character. He is now charred with a blackened skull and his flirtatious oneliners (one to a nurse and another chastising the decision-making of Nadya for sleeping with the devil) are darkly comical.
The 3D was pretty impressive (Clash of the Titans and The Last Airbender take note) and what's not to love about battling Satan worshippers. There was also a great cameo by Highlander's Christopher Lambert as a tattooed monk and a fun scene involving a Twinkie.
Whilst Ghost Rider 3D: Spirit of Vengeance is no Box Office delight in the style of Captain America, Iron Man or the upcoming The Avengers, it was an easy watch.
As Johnny likes to say, "you can't live in fear". Go see the sequel.
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