GHOST RIDER {Theatrical Version} (Mark Steven Johnson, 2007) **

Rating: 4/10 (10 July 2007)

The recent spurt of comic-book adaptations about superheroes have been extremely variable: some – like the “Spider-Man” and “X-Men” films – were pretty good but, then, HULK (2003) proved a major disappointment; others still, like DAREDEVIL (2003) and the “Fantastic Four” series (just yesterday I checked out the second instalment!), were enjoyable but essentially bland. About the worst of them has been THE PUNISHER (2004) – but now I can add GHOST RIDER to that unenviable list; this is one lame movie (made by the director of DAREDEVIL) which, for all its CGI effects and name actors, really comes off like a cheap 80s ‘indie’ horror flick! The would-be Faustian plot is ludicrous to begin with, but the vacuous presence of the perennially grimacing Nicolas Cage (an actor I can’t stand) renders it even less interesting (bungling even the potentially cool “Ghost Rider” persona); ditto, the motorcycle stunts (it doesn’t help that I’m the antithesis of a sports enthusiast!). Besides, the hesitant love story doesn’t have the effect that it ought to – while the obnoxious gang of ‘hellish’ villains provide the final death-knell to the film! At least, Peter Fonda (teetering on the brink of camp) and Sam Elliott – both of whom, appropriately but perhaps unintentionally, seem to have strayed in from another era! – have fun with their roles of Mephistopheles and Cage’s predecessor as “Ghost Rider” respectively...