The Good & Bad Of 'Ghost Rider'

Rating: 6/10 (2 August 2007)

It wasn't that easy to figure out exactly what was going on until Sam Elliot's character explained things 60 percent of the way into the film, but it sure was a fun ride watching it, at any rate. Watching this, I wondered several times how or why a veteran actor like Nicholas Cage (or Elliott) can play these goofy roles. I can't imagine actually immersing oneself in roles like this for several months. No wonder most actors are whacked. Anyway, I like Cage and he's fun to watch, whatever crazy role he plays. He was good in here, and they gave him some excellent lines to deliver.
This movie had a comic-book style for much of it, but then seemed to go more with a horror story, becoming too dark, in my opinion. Then again, my comic book experience goes way back and today's comics apparently are mostly-dark stories. If Marvel Comics have become that dark well, I am sorry that kids can't enjoy some lighter material and still enjoy real "super heroes." However, the end of the film espoused some good values, I'll give it that.
Speaking the ending, that was my major complaint. It went on too long. This film, with the fun special-effects that were really "hot," pun intended, would have been far better had it been cut down 20 to 30 minutes. Two hours was too long, as it turned out.
The other complaint would be the acting of Peter Fonda. He had a great role as the Devil but botched it up with one of the most wooden deliveries I've ever heard on film. After all these years, you'd think a little of his father's acting talent would have rubbed off....but not so.
Overall, this turns out to be what a lot of other people thought: better than anticipated in some areas, and worse in others and making the movie as a whole just "fair."