Another (un)superhero.

Rating: 5/10 (15 March 2007)

People say that if you've seen one film of a certain genre then you've seen them all. A war film is another war film etc. Now I've always disagreed with this statement until I saw Ghost Rider. If you have ever seen a film about a superhero, especially recently, then you have definitely seen this one already. Directed by the guy who brought us the equally bad 'Daredevil' this film is so formulaic it goes something like this: Ordinary person gets special powers. Doesn't like or understand them and their life starts to unravel. Bad guys turn up and the hero is only one that can stop them. Ordinary person now with powers starts to like them. Bad guys find hero's weakness to exploit. Looks like hero is done for. Hero wins the day and love of life. Little extra bit at end to set up for a sequel? It just goes from one boring set piece to another and the Ghost Rider isn't a particularly good superhero either, his two powers from what I can tell, is a flaming chain and a death stare. So if your good at jump rope and can close your eyes I think you'll be alright. Nicholas Cage isn't bad as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider but his one liners lie somewhere between the Terminator and Elvis, 'I like your jacket', 'don't mess with the monkeys or Karen' (said in a deep voice). It borders on cheese on too many occasions. The effects aren't that bad as Nicks face melts off to reveal the flaming skulled collector of souls and there is even a few laugh out loud comedy bits, look out for the television interview with the Goth girl for example, but it's just not enough to save this film from being just another churned out Marvel flick. Anyone thinking of coming out with another superhero film needs to really experiment with the genre to its full potential and not just copy the rule/comic book. It may work on paper and even be a fan boy's wet dream but to the casual film-goer this is just another disappointing blockbuster.