4.7 | / 10 |
Users | 3.6 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.6 |
Former stuntman and bounty hunter of rogue demons Johnny Blaze has been living in self-imposed exile, believing that his powers are a curse. But when he is approached by a member of a monastic order who is looking for someone to protect a mother and her son, who are being pursued by the devil in the figure of a man named Roarke, the Ghost Rider takes the case.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Violante Placido, Ciarán Hinds, Idris Elba, Johnny WhitworthAction | 100% |
Fantasy | 62% |
Comic book | 60% |
Thriller | 24% |
Supernatural | 10% |
Imaginary | 4% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Catalan: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Catalan
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
Bonus View (PiP)
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (locked)
Movie | 1.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
There are some demons you just can't escape.
Though there may be many movies that fit the description, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance defines the modern "all style, no
substance" motion picture. The original Ghost Rider, at best, might be described as a "misfire," a Comic Book
film
lost in the deluge of Comic Book films released in the 2000s, focused on a lesser-known character (but one with great potential for dark cinema and
weighty
themes)
receiving a lesser movie that suffered through any number of
problems, a cool concept lost to an inept finished product. So it should come as no surprise that the sequel -- an arguably unnecessary sequel at
that -- also
falters, again failing to capture the potential of the character, reducing him to a soulless (literally) and flat nobody defined by special effects rather
than a quality character arc. In fact, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is easily the worst Nicholas Cage movie since 2006's The Wicker Man; Vengeance follows in that picture's tradition,
the
film devoid of anything even remotely resembling a passable script. It features an equally inept Nicholas Cage lead performance and a similarly
inconsequential dramatic arc, though in fairness both products are largely a result of the substandard script, not a total lack of effort coming in from
elsewhere.
But at least Spirit of
Vengeance piles on the special effects real good. The movie is a testament to modern moviemaking technology. It looks cool, but has
nothing else going for it. In essence, this is an Asylum-level script simply improved upon by a big studio
budget. It's a weak movie that features only fine special effects, a big name lead not quite yet past his prime, involved and daring direction, and a
general cinematic
competency, all of which hope to mask the other, major shortcomings.
Here comes trouble.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance features a fairly bland converted-in-post-production 3D image. Sony's 1080p Blu-ray 3D transfer remains fairly true to the spectacular 2D image found both on disc two of this set and as the main attraction in the standalone 2D-only release. The 3D image is perhaps just a hair darker than the general image, but it's not so dark that the movie disappears into overwhelming blacks. Details do remain largely excellent here, so much so that audiences can see the digital intricacies making up the charred and ablaze Rider, the textures of worn-in leather, even the rough texture of the rubble underneath which Blackout is born. Colors are fine, stable and natural and only slightly dimmed in the darker scenes. Banding remains around light sources, and very light noise is evident in a few shots. As for the 3D portion of the transfer, it offers up a serviceably good, mostly natural sense of visual depth. Most scenes, whether looking down a long road or merely featuring characters standing only feet apart, reveal a quality sense of spacing, allowing audiences to accurately judge feet and yards and various lengths with fairly good precision. Otherwise, this transfer features very little in terms of additional 3D content. A few drifting remnants of victims from both Rider's chain and Blackout's touch appear to float in front of the screen, but otherwise there's just nothing to report. Minor crosstalk was noted on the review Panasonic plasma display, notably in an early scene featuring Nadya seducing a would-be pickpocket victim. All in all, this is a serviceable but unremarkable 3D transfer. The smart money is on saving a few dollars and enjoying the wonderful 2D-only release.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance rides onto Blu-ray with a high quality DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This is a smooth, naturally spaced, aggressive, and very well balanced track, one that's very cinematic in nature and held back only by a feeling that it might have been just a hair louder and a touch more energetic at reference volume. But as it is, this is a winner, a track of many highs and no other real lows. All elements play with an evident stability and obvious clarity. The entire range from the sharpest highs to the most rumbly lows play in audible harmony, giving the track a complete and exciting flavor. Music flows evenly and with wonderful clarity. It's dynamic and immersive, focused up the front but enjoying a positive surround element. Likewise, the film's various sound effects take full advantage of the 5.1 spectrum, delivering what is sometimes a dizzying and completely immersive array of sonic goodies that envelop the listener like a warm devilish chain. Effects spring from every corner with precision and ease, always matching the on- and off-screen action move for move, frame for frame. Heavy sound effects of a fierce battle nicely submerge the listener into the chaos. Shattering glass, smashed metal, machine gun chatter, and hefty explosions play with great precision and balance all around the listening area. The track also excels in its delivery of simpler but no less important ambience. Background patron speech, music, and clanking silverware nicely recreate the sounds of a restaurant in chapter nine, while gusty winds all but ruffle the listening audiences' hair in chapter ten. Dialogue is even, balanced, and focused up the middle. This is a quality, high output, entertaining track that's everything it should be in support of a movie such as this.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance's Blu-ray 3D release contains all of the extras included with the standalone 2D release. The 3D disc contains
the exclusive supplement Riding Into Another Dimension (1080p 3D, 7:07), a piece featuring the crew discussing the challenges of the
current
state of 3D filmmaking and the advantages of converting the 2D image in post-production.
Take away its special effects, and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance fails on every level. That's a shame, because the character seems ripe for a dark, violent, brooding sort of detailed character study intermixed with hellish violence. But once again Hollywood has cranked out a play-it-safe PG-13 movie that's more the second coming of Daredevil than it is a movie in the mold of The Dark Knight. The movie seems aiming for a target audience of middle school-aged boys who might be blinded by the nifty visuals, but most film fans who even remotely care about enjoying a movie with good characters and a coherent plot and some kind of thematic meaning and dramatic content beyond the basics might be better served by searching out another movie. As for the Blu-ray, it's a strong release. The converted 3D image offers general depth and almost nothing more. The general video and audio presentations are fine, and the supplements are much better than the movie they support. This disc does include the 2D-only disc in addition to the 3D presentation, so those with deeper pockets who want to check out the 3D -- or simply have it on had for a future television upgrade -- should choose this version over the other.
Bonus Disc
2012
Empty Case
2012
2012
Bonus Disc
2012
Extended Cut
2007
2011
Director's Cut
2005
Icons
2009
Director's Cut
2003
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Director's Cut
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