GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE is a better film than the first GHOST RIDER.  It embraces more of the supernatural elements and dumps the supernatural Western tone of the first film.   Gone is the manic habits of Johnny in the first one (no more listening to the Carpenters, eating jelly beans, or watching a chimp on TV) that is replaced by a crazy Johnny Blaze fighting to control the demon inside of him.  Nicolas Cage is enjoying himself more this time in the role than the first outing.   The look of the Ghost Rider and the bike have been refined to a much cooler look than the first film.   The only downfall with this film like the first one has to deal with the uninteresting villains.   I wish they would write a more interesting bad guy for Johnny Blaze/ Ghost Rider, but Ciaran Hinds come closer as showing off a more interesting version of the Devil than Peter Fonda ever could.  Christopher Lambert doesn't get much time to play with his character and I miss the days when he was the lead in English language films (most of his starring roles are in French language films that aren't mostly available in the USA).  Irdis Elba fairs better in the amount of time he gets on screen and I like the French accent that is so different from how you usually hear him.

The direction is raised up a level for the sequel from the underrated director team of Neveldine and Taylor who get the most out of the action scenes and the Eastern European setting.    GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE isn't a perfect sequel, but it is worth watching for the improved performance from Nicolas Cage and the mayhem caused by Ghost Rider in the action sequences.

this movie review is (c)2-20-2012 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com