Starring: Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendez, Peter Fonda

Written by: Mark Steven Johnson

Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson

Runtime: 114 minutes

Rated: ‘PG-13’ for being a comic movie that could have

             been better if it was R

But I'm happy to report that far as the movie itself is concerned, I enjoyed it much more than either of those two previously mentioned Marvel hiccups. However, the kid in me was far more satisfied than the adult...

 

For example, the kid in me was relieved that for the most part, the movie's story stayed true to the original comic book mythos; Johnny Blaze, a young motorcycle stuntman makes a deal with The Devil, or Mephistopheles in this case, to save his father.  Naturally, Mephistopheles pulls a double-cross, the father dies anyway, and Johnny finds out that he must now act as Hell’s pawn on earth. Things become even more volatile when Ghost Rider is pitted against Mephistopheles’ son, Blackheart, (played effectively by Wes Bentley), and his three elemental henchmen, aptly named 'The Hidden.'

 

*BTW- In case any of you are wondering — the Ghost Rider story-line predates the deal Al Simmons AKA Spawn made by almost thirty years.

 

The adult in me liked how the mythos was condensed for the sake of time.  This is something that some superhero movies handle better than others. I can usually tell when some Hollywood hotshot who has no respect for a comic book character's fan base is involved with the storytelling process.  Much to my relief, that isn't the case here.

 

The kid in me was happy to see Ghost Rider in action, period.  Or, as Stan Lee might say, “Excelsior!”  The special effects were ridiculous, and I cant possibly say enough good things about them.

 

Of course, the adult in me knows that without the special effects, this movie is garbage. 

 

The kid in me was very happy to see Eva Mendes cast as the femme fatale, Blaze's long lost love, Roxanne.  Muy Caliente! 

 

The adult in me agrees with the kid as far as Eva goes!

I mean, SHE CAN GET IT!  But the adult in me fears for every guy that takes his girlfriend or wife to see this movie.  Of course, her character's no bimbo, and she takes an active role in her defense.  Plus, she plays the, ‘I'm hopelessly in love with you, why cant you act right?’ thing to a T.  I’d even go so far as to say that I’d pit Roxanne against Mary Jane any day of the week, (Sorry Matt).

But will she be able to save you from getting chewed out by your personal femme fatale, and then having to sit through ‘Music & Lyrics’ the following weekend.  I doubt it.  So guys, if you think your old lady isn't going to be into it, save yourself the grief and go with the fellas.

 

Speaking of casting, the adult was happy to see Peter Fonda cast as Mephistopheles-- (the name's been changed from the comic book's Mephisto, no doubt to make things more palatable for the mainstreamers).  Even though he's seen better days, the star of the biker movie classic ‘Easy Rider’ has certainly earned his place in this, or any movie involving motorcycles and flames.  Also a treat, screen vet Sam Shepard playing the pivotal role of 'Caretaker', is nothing short of genius.

 

As the kid that always wanted a motorcycle, I found it clever that Blackheart’s three henchmen ‘The Hidden’ were archetypes based on the elements, Earth, Water and Wind.  Why is that clever?  Because as the adult who bought a motorcycle, I've learned that my greatest enemies on the road, (besides assholes in SUVs driving while talking on their cellphones), are the potholes in the ground, the freezing rain and the strong gusts of wind that could send me into a guardrail.  See, that's clever right?

 

But the adult saw a few ‘potholes’ in the story.  How are you supposed to avoid being tracked by the police if your tire tracks are melting the asphalt?  Don't exactly need to call the folks from CSI to help figure out that one. 

 

And while the kid in me could care less who played Ghost Rider, the adult is still a little confused as to the selection of Nicolas Cage.  Not because he can't play a tortured soul, anyone who's seen Face-Off knows that he's brilliant at that.

Its just the fact that he's just a lot older than Eva Mendes, and he looks it... even before he transforms!  Bringing in a big name to play a part he's marginally suited for, when plenty of lesser known, just as talented, far better suited actors are out there always smells like big movie studio cowardice.   

 

There's something else that's bothering me, but I don't want to be a spoiler.  Let's just say the end of the movie, while accomplishing the mission of allowing for sequels ad nauseam, left me a tad bit cold.

 

Overall, I have to say that if you're looking for a bit of mindless escape, you'll find Ghost Rider to be a lot of fun, nothing more, but nothing less.  This is especially true if you take a blood oath not to overanalyze the movie the way I just did.  Ghost Rider’s final destiny, yet another guilty pleasure video on my shelf.  <Insert Wicked Laughter Here>