A Disappointment

Rating: 3/10 (18 February 2007)

"Ghost Rider" doesn't work as a movie, and it sure doesn't work as a comic book movie. In an age where this genre has a point in films like "Spider-Man 2," "Batman Begins," and "V for Vendetta," this one seems almost a waste.
Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) sold his soul to the devil to save someone he loved. Now, at an older age, he is the world's most famous biker and stuntman. However, the devil has come back to collect his debt. Blaze is forced to terminate those who have escaped hell. So, during the night, he burns up, and his head and hands light on fire. He is a skeleton. One day, he decides he must use this curse to stop those who spread evil. Johnny does all he can to protect the woman he loves from danger, and rid the dirt off the face of the planet.
One of the main reasons this film doesn't work is because of the devil and hell parts of the film. They are overdone to the point where the story becomes more like a horror movie. Constant use of monstrous images and evil spirits make the film not only repetitive, but pointless. Also, I was sick and tired of burning skull man. I was more interested in Johnny when he was in human form. The action all has to do with spirit powers and evil capabilities. For some reason, I found this annoying. Deaths occur in this film for the sake of letting us know that evil can kill. OK, show us once; but over and over? We've got the picture. And Eva Mendes, like many good-looking actresses, is stumped to the level where directors say, "We don't care about your acting, we care about your cleavage." She doesn't need that kind of direction, and we don't need this kind of film.
I did like a few points of this movie. That's why I gave it a 3. Nicolas Cage is likable when he isn't the devil bounty hunter. He may not be making the wisest decisions of late when it comes to movies, but you can still tell talent is about him. Sam Elliot, as his mentor, and a man who wishes to help Blaze use evil to fight evil is hard not to like. He's a good actor, and doesn't lose his talent here. I also smiled at a couple humorous points of this film. Mainly during some amusing t.v. interviews. These good points, however, are weighed out by the much heavier laid negative ones. In my opinion, "Ghost Rider" wasn't worth the price of admission. If you want to see it, go ahead. For me, it was disappointing, and it's likely to be the same for you.