3rd Times a Charm

Rating: 8/10 (17 February 2007)

I was surprised that my favourite comic book hero would be put out on the big screen as it is not one of the main comic icons like Superman, Batman, X-men, Spiderman, Hulk, Captain America, Fantastic 4, The Punisher, The Avengers, Iron Man... so I was excited. I enjoyed Daredevil but just couldn't bare Elektra so there would be a 50% chance Ghost Rider could be good or bad. I went in expecting the a sub-par comic-to-film movie but I was really entertained at how the writers put together the elements of the 2 Ghost Riders from the comic series (though I still would prefer they focus only the newer Rider :). The comics had 2 heroes Johnny Blaze (in 70's & 80's) & Dan Ketch (90's) btw, fyi Johnny Blaze is supposed to have reddish blonde hair.
Anyhow the script did extremely well introducing the characters, their backgrounds & the concept of 'the rider'. Sam Elliot & Nic Cage did really well in carrying the flow of the movie as well immersing us into the films perception of the earth & hell realms. I can't say that much for Eva. Nic Cage has a great talent to really bring out the 'tormented good guy' hero characters like in his previous movies Matchstick Men, Weather Man, 8mm, Face Off, Con-Air, The Rock & It Could Happen to U.
As a fan of the 90's comics, I wasn't all to happy about the films customizing of Ghost Rider elements but I guess it would be more appealing that way. The film, from the new millennium point of view, is an overall good 'comic-to-big screen' package . They really thought it out well laid a good foundation for the 'world of the Ghost Rider' in comparison to like say 'the world of Constantine'. Who is the Rider? What is the Rider? What does the Rider do? Who is Blackheart? Who is the Devil? Whats their relationship? I couldn't accept the movie version of the 'hell-cycle'though. Its too H.R. Geiger for my taste & that throws the concept off a little.
For an additional treat for those of u who enjoyed the movie, try getting your hands on the Ghost Rider comics of the 90's like issues #1 - #50... u'll find many classic elements there like favourite phrases (when innocent blood is spilt.., in the presence of evil, I'm the Spirit of Vengeance), characters (like Johnny Blaze, Vengeance, The Punisher, Black Heart), famous moves (Chain fling, penance stare). I find these comic elements portrayed very well in the movie, true to the intensity of the comics... but with a small except for the level of violence. PG 13 rite? :) I can already smell the sequel in the making
Thanks for reading