Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance | Film review

Anyone could have made a Ghost Rider sequel, but only taste-destroyers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor would think to include Johnny Blaze’s fiery piss streams. Alas, unlike the duo’s Crank films—also about a hero on the verge of explosion—Spirit of Vengeance lacks a solid gimmick to unify their transgressive gambits. Once Idris Elba starts spouting theology, the movie flatlines. Still, there’s enough craziness here, whether it’s Cage’s line readings or a montage linking the devil to Jerry Springer, to suggest resuscitating a franchise requires sending it up in flames.