Ghost Rider

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Wes Bentley, Eva Mendes, Matthew Long, Peter Fonda

Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson

RS: 1of 4 Stars Average User Rating: 2.5of 4 Stars

2007 Sony Pictures Action

If you loved Daredevil and I dare you to say you did, you'll marvel that director Mark Steven Johnson has done it again: taken a dark, twisted hero from the Marvel Comics playbook and homogenized him into a toy boy suitable for mass consumption. Nicolas Cage stars as Johnny Blaze, the motorcycle stunt driver who makes a deal with Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda). To stay alive -- after a crash sets his skull on fire -- Johnny will do the devil's bidding. He's haunted, of course, and Cage can do haunted with the best of them. But the computer effects that turn Johnny into the blazing Ghost Rider incinerate characterization. The real evil in this flick isn't Blackheart (Wes Bentley), the devil's son, it's the soul-sucking devil of modern cinema: Hollywood formula.

PETER TRAVERS

(Posted: Feb 16, 2007)

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Ghost Rider

Review 1 of 15

1of 4 Stars

I believe that this movie had a great plot but it was poorly done.

Feb 17, 2008 18:12:30

Review 2 of 15

4of 4 Stars

I gave this movie four stars for the "Ghost Rider" storyline, (this movie is just the beginning), the sterling actors chosen, and the stark Australian scenery. As has been stated by others, the direction is a bit hokey (too slow - unreal dramatic pauses), and the graphics need improving, but if these are corrected in the next "Ghost Rider", using the same actors and continuing the intricate "Ghost Rider" story, it will be a most memorable film. This story is way too dark and complex to be told with just one film.

In the original comic story Johnny Blaze was a hard drinking and smoking badass so there's another change. After I finished the Director's CD included with the Extended Cut, I did quite a bit of internet research on the original story. I'd like to see a film or two or more on the rest of the story. Just like the "Silence of the Lambs" / "Hannibal" movies, "Indiana Jones" movies, or "Star Wars" films - they don't have to be in order. Just as the "Ghost Rider" story, developed since the fifties, had multiple writers and changed to get to where it is now, so must the film story be developed. Patience - all truly great works of art are trial and error....and take time.

Aug 12, 2007 09:06:49

Review 3 of 15

1of 4 Stars

I am not familiar with the Ghost Rider comic book series so I cannot compare the movie with its literary origins. From an entertainment point of view it is standard summertime fare, plain mindless fun. Nicholas Cage's quirkiness is not enough to elevate the film above its mediocrity.

Jun 22, 2007 00:29:07

Review 4 of 15

Not Rated

Worst movie ever

Apr 22, 2007 21:05:02

Review 5 of 15

1of 4 Stars

I knew it, I knew it.... Why does Hollywood fuck up every good comic book made into a movie, as a Ghost rider fan. I am digusted at the way hollywood fucks up every good comic book from Fantastic four, Daredevil, Electra, yes even Spiderman that movie sucks even the new one (they managed to mess up his all black costume somehow... I mean its already drawn out just copy it)Please Hollywood stop fuckin up our comics. (X-men and Punisher are the only good ones so far)

Mar 16, 2007 20:43:24

Review 6 of 15

1of 4 Stars

Mark Steven Johnson, the Ed Wood protege of comic book movies, engulfs the audiences head in flames at the outrageous absurdity of Ghost Rider. Nicholas Cage plays the bounty hunter for the devil in this laughable special effects pass off as entertainment. As I shifted uncomfortably in my aisle seat, plagued by the thought that two hours of my life were slipping by that I would never get back, I was reminded by the recent rough transformation of comic books to the big screen. Ghost Rider is simply the latest in a long line of entertainment that translates better on an illustrated panel.

Mar 3, 2007 17:05:40

Review 7 of 15

1of 4 Stars

this piece of shit doesn't even deserve a 1 or even a half it was a fuckin sap story with next to no action just a lot of visuals wich were practically all show be4 the movie came out

Mar 1, 2007 09:39:50

Review 8 of 15

2of 4 Stars

I saw it the Friday when it came out. When I first saw trailers for it, I was suprised at the choice of Nicholas Cage, but the more I think about it, I don't think anyone else could have pulled it off. In general, I don't care for Eva Mendes; they could have gotten someone who can act better.

I was disappointed most by how quickly Ghost Rider overcame his enemies. They needed a lot more fighting going on. They should have nixed one or two of the minor elemental demons to fit in bigger battles with more important characters.

Oh, and the review by Peter Travers is wrong on something: Blaze didn't sell his soul to save himself. He sells it to save his Dad.

I think that your 2 1/2 rating is accurate, but you don't have half stars for me to give. :P

Feb 26, 2007 05:37:38

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