Blu-ray, 3D, DVD Release: Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance

Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: June 12, 2012
Price: DVD $30.99, Blu-ray $35.99, Blu-ray 3D $45.99
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment


Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

The Ghost Rider is back. Nicolas Cage (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) donned his blazing skull (okay, not really, that’s visual effects) for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.

In the 2011 fantasy movie, Cage’s Johnny Blaze is hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe, until a secret sect of a church recruits him to save a young boy from the devil. At first reluctant to use the power of the Ghost Rider again, Johnny finally agrees in the hopes of also ridding himself of the curse.

Ciaran Hinds (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Idris Elba (Takers) and Anthony Head (TV’s Merlin) also star in the action film, which was directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, the team behind Gamer.

Based on the Marvel Comic, this second Ghost Rider wasn’t nearly as appreciated in theaters as the original. Whereas Ghost Rider scored $115.8 million, Spirit of Vengeance grossed only $50 million with pretty scary reviews from critics and moviegoers alike.

New York Daily News‘ Elizabeth Weitzman’s reaction to the action film was, “Whether Cage is still paying off castles, appeasing the IRS, or rebuilding his comic book collection, it’s clear he has decided, for now, to trade his talent for cold, hard cash.” Ouch!

New York Times critic Neil Genzlinger did have some praise for the movie, saying the presence of Elba is a redeeming quality.

All disc versions have UltraViolet, which allows the movie to be downloaded or streamed, and special features.

The DVD has just deleted scenes, but the Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D versions include all these:

  • deleted scenes
  • directors’ expanded video commentary
  • six-part documentary The Path to Vengeance: Making Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance with:
    • “Blazing a New Path” behind-the-scenes look at the movie’s production
    • “Patience Is Not a Virtue: Pre-Production”
    • “We Will Burn This City To Bitter Ashes” about the shooting locations in Romania and Eastern Europe
    • “To Hell and Back: Production” about the directors’ shooting style and some of the key stunt sequences
    • “Walking in Both Worlds: Moving Into Post-Production” about the challenges of completing the film
    • “The Fires of Hell Will Purify You: Release.”

The Blu-ray 3D has its own 3D featurette too: “Riding Into Another Dimension.”

 

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About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.