The Wicker Man have been more fantastical in subject matter than the original film, and relied more heavily on special effects. In this continuation of the story, which begins immediately after the ending of the first film, Sergeant Neil Howie is rescued from the burning Wicker Man by a group of police officers from the mainland. Howie sets out to bring Lord Summerisle and his pagan followers to justice, but becomes embroiled in a series of challenges which pit the old gods against his own Christian faith. The script culminates in a climactic battle between Howie and a fire-breathing dragon – the titular
The Wicker Man (2006 film) who reside on the island. The film received hostile reviews from film critics at the time of its release; critics pointed to the film's unintentional comedy, weak acting, and poor screenwriting. The film was also a financial flop, grossing over $38 million against a $40 million production budget. Since its original release, it has developed a cult following as an entertaining unintentional comedy, particularly due to Cage's over-the-top performance. Cage dedicated the film to his friend Johnny Ramone, the guitarist of the band The Ramones, who had died in 2004. Policeman Edward Malus (Nicolas Cage) receives news from his ex-fiancée,