Not bad...just kinda...not good

Rating: 7/10 (21 February 2007)

Before I point out all the glaring issues with the movie, I do have to say that it was better then I expected. With only a few exceptions the world of "comic to film" crap we've seen lately, I didn't exactly have high hopes for "Ghost Rider". I am a comic reader, but I really only have a passing knowledge of this particular graphic novel series. I will say however in my opinion that Nick Cage brought home the character of the Rider in a big way. The actor that delivers some great performances like "Con Air" and "The Rock", but then turns around and gives us "The Wicker Man", there was a chance that the complexities of the Rider/Johnny Blaze may have gotten lost. But I think Cage can be proud to know that he did a great job here.
I would also like to quickly say that if there was an award for "Best-Bad-Ass in a feature length film" it would most certainly go to either Cage or Elliot as they both bring the blockbuster rockin'-ness to both their characters.
Now on to the down sideand it is definitely a downside. I must comment first on the ridiculously horrible acting that we get smacked in the face with throughout the film. Most of the Movies worst moments are delivered by three of the worst acting jobs I have had the displeasure to watch. Matt Long as is entirely underwhelming as the young Johnny Blaze, you feel little to no emotional connection to the character until Cage takes the helm. Next we have Blackheart who happens to be one of my favorite Marvel baddies. I find however that you put a potentially good villain role in the hands of an actor that has absolutely grasp on the character you get.well you get disappointed. The performance we have to choke down from Wes Bentley as the son of Mephistopheles (played by Peter Fonda who does pretty decent work here) drags down the whole movie. The last performance is by the digitally animated Ghost Rider. While the Rider has some great moments the audience is constantly turned of by stupid "Super-phrases" like "Time to turn up the heat" from the guy with his skull on fire hahahahabut not so much.
There was also a pacing problem for sure. We find ourselves stuck in harsh lulls and then we get hit with a not-so-actionie action sequence. There are no great battles here, so much as the Rider gets kicked around a bit, then turns around and "punishes" the guilty quickly with his chain or in the final scene where he use his Rider Shotgun-thing.
The CGI is pretty well executed making this a movie you might want to see in theaters. Ghost Rider thrives of it's big summer movie style fx and doesn't have a great storyline to back it up.
So overall, it could have been better, but it could have been way worse. 7 out of 10.