‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ Is Either Going to Be Stupid-Awesome or Just Plain Stupid

When people complained about "Green Lantern" being too silly -- a comic book movie done with its tongue in its cheek -- we had to point out that it's not like it was the first film to try that approach. What about "Ghost Rider," which Globe and Mail critic Liam Lacey called "a movie so full of camp spirit it should come with tents and a marshmallow roast"? By the way, he liked it -- and he was about the only critic who did. But since "Ghost Rider" is one of the few Nicolas Cage films of late to be a hit, you knew he would sign up for a sequel. Now comes the trailer, and the camp factor hasn't been done away with. If anything, it's even more front and center.

At first, the "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" trailer acts as if it's some dark, moody affair. You know, the way those Batman movies are. But pretty soon, it becomes clear that the spot wants to amp up the "Dude, that's awesome!" factor: flaming skulls, flaming motorcycles, flying chains, Cage screaming in anguish, urinating fire jokes, all that. (God bless 'em, they even at one point have actress Violante Placido tell Cage that she's not afraid of him, to which he replies tersely, "You should be." Who does that anymore? Nicolas Cage, that's who.)

The trailer doesn't mention this, but "Spirit of Vengeance" is directed by Neveldine/Taylor, the team behind the "Crank" films. That should give folks hope: You wouldn't exactly call them auteurs, but they know how to make B-movie silliness pretty damn enjoyable. That's what this "Ghost Rider" sequel needs, and that's definitely what Cage's career needs, although wasn't that also the idea behind "Drive Angry"? That didn't work out too well.

The Man Who Peed With Fire: Watch Trailer for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance [Movieline]