Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Directed by: Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor Starring: Nicolas Cage, Idris Elba, Ciarán Hinds Rating: PG-13 Release Date: February 17, 2012
TRAILER SCORE: 7/10
Thoughts by TSR: When I wrote about an earlier trailer for this film, I said how I was surprised it was even being made. Here we are just over a month from release, and there is something I find even more surprising: I still think it looks fun. I will admit I’m a bit concerned all the good stuff might be in the trailer. That is typically something associated with comedy trailers, but it can definitely apply to balls-to-the-wall action films too. These trailers for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance are still doing a lot of things right, but we’ll have to wait and see if the finished film follows through on that promise.
The main thing the trailers have been doing well is teasing the kind of cool, crazy action one would expect from a film about a guy whose head turns into a flaming skull. The moment where the Ghost Rider whips his chain around 360 degrees and takes out all of the demons surrounding him is a good display of what he can do. I also really like Ghost Rider’s use of the burning rig as a weapon. The first trailer relied too heavily on the chain, so it’s nice to see it won’t be his only form of attack.
The action is there, which is not surprising considering this is directed by Neveldine & Taylor - though I hope this is more Crank, less Gamer on the enjoyment scale. The question that remains is whether or not there is anything in between all the action that will make this one stand out from the pitiful first film. When the trailer does sprinkle bits of plot in it doesn’t come off as all that engaging. That won't necessarily be a total deal breaker for me, especially if Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance features as much insane fun as it rightly should.