WOW!!! What A Great Film!!!

Rating: 9/10 (29 July 2007)

I missed Ghost Rider when originally released in theaters, so I received the DVD as a party gift.
I sat down this evening to watch it finally, with a bit of trepidation.
Surprise, surprise, as Gomer Pyle used to say; this is one delightful amusement park ride.
Nicolas Cage is Johnny Blaze, small-time circus daredevil, who in his younger days, made a deal with Mephistopheles (a quietly menacing Peter Fonda) to cure his father of cancer, in exchange for his soul. Deal done, young Johnny's father soon dies of a cycle mishap.
Good ole Mephistopheles! Grown now, Johnny Blaze gets wilder and wilder with each new cycle stunt; of course, with the devil on his side, he has no fear, thus becoming the hero to one and all.
But ole Hot Pants Himself is not quite done with him; see, there's an outstanding contract of a town who gave their souls in greed, and that contract is missing. The collector absconded with the document, and Mephistopheles' son, Blackheart (a deliciously evil Wes Bentley) wants that contract, so he can become the new Big Kahuena.
Thus, Johnny Blaze becomes Ghost Rider, the devil's bounty hunter, and in spectacular fashion, he literally becomes his last name.
Sam Elliot, steady as she goes, is the wise older man who seems to know about all that is going on with Johnny's situation, and steps in to lend a hand and dispense advice.
The action is thrilling, the special effects are spectacular (talk about 'flying down the highway with your hair on fire!'), and the wonderful editing of this film swoops and soars effortlessly.
There's not one wasted scene; Ghost Rider is a lean, mean dancing machine of stella mysteriosa and verve of the highest order.
Normally, this type of film is not my cup of tea, but wow! I'm a believer, now! Kudos to all involved!