Special Review
This review was requested by Discord user Mekanikal. If you'd like to join the server, click the button below. Visit DiscordThe character of Ghost Rider first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5, which was published in August 1972. Originally running until 1983, the character was brought back for a limited series in the early 1990s. Around this time, Marvel was looking to produce a film and started talking to various studios about selling the rights. Demonic Toys writer David S. Goyer developed a script, and production was set to start in early 2001. Johnny Depp and Eric Bana were approached to star before Nicolas Cage, a fan of the comics, signed on. Originally to be produced by Dimension, Columbia acquired the rights through turnaround after the success of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. Shane Salerno was brought on for rewrites, only for Daredevil director Mark Steven Johnson to further rewrite after being hired. After being in production for several years, Ghost Rider was finally released in February 2007.
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Rating
Synopsis
Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) is a professional stunt motorcycle rider known for surviving all sorts of ludicrous stunts. Turns out when he was younger, he sold his soul to Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda) to save his dying father. Now, his son Blackheart (Wes Bentley) is on Earth searching for a contract containing 1,000 corrupted souls. In response, Mephistopheles has Johnny go after Blackheart and his crew by turning him into the Ghost Rider. At night, his skin burns off to reveal a flaming skeleton with extraordinary powers that can burn corrupted souls. Along the way, he meets The Caretaker (Sam Elliot), who tells him all about the Rider, Blackheart, and the contract. Johnny also meets up with his old girlfriend Roxanne (Eva Mendes), who Blackheart kidnaps to try and get to him. With his new powers, Johnny must face Blackheart and his elemental demon friends to prevent the end of days.
Review
With a few exceptions, the 2000s were filled with average-to-mediocre superhero movies, which Ghost Rider fits into. While not as good as Spider-Man 2 or X2: X-Men United, it’s still better than Catwoman or Fantastic Four. In terms of direction, Mark Steven Johnson does a competent job, though he makes good use of shadows and fog. Given how much he was a fan of the comics, Nick Cage clearly is trying to give the character depth. Unfortunately, for the most part, he’s either very morose and broody, or he’s going full-on Nick Cage crazy. As much as I love crazy Nick Cage, the way he shifts between over-the-top and subdued is inconsistent and jarring. While she’s basically the typical damsel in distress, Eva Mendes is ok and has some decent chemistry with Cage. Granted, they worked together much better in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.
Peter Fonda and Sam Elliot make the film worth watching, but you know they’re waiting for the check to clear. Sadly, Wes Bentley makes for a pretty lackluster villain, looking more like the rebellious teen who frequents Hot Topic. Also, his three demon pals, who represent earth, wind, and water, are just as lame given how quickly they’re defeated. Their abilities could’ve made the fights with Ghost Rider more exciting, but they’re over and done within mere seconds. Admittedly, Ghost Rider’s design is pretty cool, and seeing him whip his chain around to fight bad guys is fun. However, at slightly under two hours, the movie has really bad pacing and just drags its way to the end. This movie is enjoyable for maybe 15-20 minutes, but the rest of it is slow, boring, and not worth watching. Overall, Ghost Rider is just mediocre at best and boring at worst.
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