Ghost Rider — The Spirit of Vengeance Rides to Make Its Presence Known
Written: Jun 30 '07 (Updated Jul 01 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A decent interpretation of the character
Cons: I'm still not convinced of Cage's part in the whole thing
The Bottom Line: Ghost Rider could have turned out into something worse than I expected but in the end it was a decent translation from the source material.
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| elvisdo's Full Review: Ghost Riders |
I never pictured Nicholas Cage as a superhero of any sort and after watching Marvel Comics’ Ghost Rider, a 2007 film by Columbia Pictures, I’m justified in my conviction. Keep in mind that this is the same person who, at one point, was slated to play Superman when Tim Burton was associated with the project as the director. With that knowledge at hand, how would one go about wrestling with the idea that Nicholas Cage could don some tights and be a hero? Just the imagery alone is even scarier than seeing a man with a flaming skull barreling down on his flaming motorcycle. But despite my reservations, the film managed to be quite decent, though it wasn’t due to Cage’s presence.
Cage plays Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman/daredevil, who not only becomes famous for his amazing stunts but for his ability to walk away from any crash. Some say he has a guardian angel at his side, but Blaze believes it’s something else.
Years earlier, Johnny made a deal with the devil Mephistopheles to save his father’s life from terminal lung cancer. The next day his father is cured of the disease only to die in a tragic motorcycle stunt. As a result, Johnny’s soul belongs to Mephistopheles. He will call upon Johnny when needed.
That time comes when Blackheart comes to town. Mephistopheles’ son is out to usurp his father’s power by finding a lost contract that contains thousands of souls. The power he would possess would be more than enough to overpower his father. But Mephistopheles has Johnny Blaze, his bounty hunter of the damned… Ghost Rider. His job is quite simply to stop Blackheart for obtaining the lost contract. But his investigation leads to a reunion with a lost love as well as a history lesson of the Ghost Rider from the one called the Caretaker. However, if he completes this task, he will be free from the curse of the Ghost Rider, but only if he succeeds.
I’ve always been leery about the translation from comic book to movie. Some times it’s a hit, but most of the time it falls short of any expectations. I really didn’t know what I was going to expect from this movie at all. Ghost Rider isn’t a big name Marvel character like Spider-Man and the Hulk. In fact he’s more of a C-character, maybe even on the D-level. He does, however, have a great cult following. Considering his lesser-known status, perhaps it would be easier to accept this movie-translated version.
But there was two things that really made me pause and think about it: Nicholas Cage and director Mark Steven Johnson. The latter directed Daredevil starring Ben Affleck and I was not impressed with that movie at all. I feared the same thing would happen with this one. To my surprise, I found it much more tolerable. Maybe I’m just mellowing out in my expectations or maybe it was better than I imagined. In any case, Johnson pulled together a story that was quite acceptable for my liking.
What I liked the most was the issue of legacy. There is a backstory involving the original Ghost Rider from the days of the American Old West. According to this film, he was Mephistopheles' original bounty hunter but defied him in the end. Interestingly enough, the original Ghost Rider in the comic book has no ties with the skull and flame version. The only thing they share is the name. This is, perhaps, far and away that one can get from the original material. But here’s the thing: this re-imagined version works, and it works well. It pays homage to the past yet puts its own spin on the legend to make it more cohesive. I should be crying foul at such a move but instead I’m giving the devil his due.
As for the main character, Nicholas Cage brings his quirky self for this movie. He didn’t annoy me as much as he usually does, but he wasn’t so overbearing as well. I still think he wasn’t the right person for the role. Did you know that Johnny Depp once expressed interest to play the lead? I seriously would have loved to see that version made.
Sam Elliott does a good job as the Caretaker, but then again he’s always good in these roles. Ever see Tombstone? I rest my case. He can also say that he’s been in two different superhero movies… this one and Ang Lee’s The Hulk. Eva Mendes does a fine job as Roxanne Simpson but it wasn’t much of a role, other than the love interest. The person I liked the most was Peter Fonda. He oozed pure evil as Mephistopheles and his presence was definitely felt.
The special effects really helped convey the scenario, but for the most part, it looked too polished for my tastes. And I can see Johnson’s directing at work by the way he angles his shots. Compare this with Daredevil and his style will be quite evident.
There was nothing too complicated with the story. It was straightforward and easy to follow. It could have been more complex with the introduction of Zarathos, the demon bonded with Johnny to collect souls. Maybe that story serves as a sequel to the true explanation of the Ghost Rider. When playing with fire, even demonic one, it still pays to be terribly cautious, and the fate of Ghost Rider could have burned itself to a horrible demise.
Other Comic Book Movies
DC Comics
Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) || Batman (1943) || Batman: The Movie (1966) || Batman (1989) || Batman Returns || Batman Forever || Batman & Robin || Batman Begins || Batman: Mask of the Phantasm || Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero || Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman || The Batman Superman Movie || Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker || Catwoman || Constantine || Superman: The Movie || Superman II || Superman II: The Donner Cut || Superman III || Superman IV: The Quest for Peace || Superman Returns || Superman: Brainiac Attacks
Marvel Comics
Daredevil || Fantastic Four (2005) || The Invincible Iron Man (2007) || The Punisher (2004) || Spider-Man || Spider-Man 2 || Spider-Man 3 || Ultimate Avengers: The Movie || Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther || X-Men || X2: X-Men United || X-Men: The Last Stand
Independent Comic Books
The Mask of Zorro || Men in Black || Popeye || Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles || Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
elvisdo
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Member: Charles "The Grim One"
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Thank you to everybody who participated in both my write-offs. Until the next one!
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