GHOST RIDER
FEBRUARY 16, 2007

Computer generated visuals add to the action-packed Marvel Comic character turned movie star superhero in this latest release from Columbia Pictures "Ghost Rider."  Johnny Blaze (Matt Long (young)/Nicholas Cage) is a 17 year old motorcycle stunt driver who is approached by Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda).  Mephistopheles offers the young rider a deal that would save Johnny's father, Barton Blaze (Brett Cullen) who has been struck down by lung cancer.  Johnny must give up his soul in exchange for his fathers life of suffering through his bodies decay from the deadly disease.  The young man sleeps soundlessly through the night knowing that he signed a contract by blood droplets with Mephistopheles that would allow his father full recovery.  Unfortunately on Barton's first day of a new beginning he is killed in a motorcycle crash.

Blackheart (Wes Bentley) is the demonic son of Mephistopheles who is determined to find the lost contract, using its power to hold his fathers power.  Enlisting the protection of a trio named "Hidden" that represents 3 of the 4 elements Air-Demon/Abigor (Mathew Wilkinson), Water-Demon/Wallow (Daniel Frederiksen) and Earth-Demon/Gressil (Laurence Breuls).

Blaze now a famous stunt rider known for surviving catastrophic crashes.  During a dangerous stunt he reconnects with his childhood sweetheart Roxanne (Eva Mendes) the two make plans to have dinner later.  This is where the story picks up pace adding the visual element along with the intense Nicholas Cage the movie moves away from children's comics appealing directly to the adults.  Those adults who have continued their childhood endeavors into the world of comic books will have a love/hate relationship with this movie.

Nicholas Cage is the over actor he has always been but in this case Johnny Blaze needs these extremes.  He is believable with all the qualities the audience deserves in this comic book turned big screen hero.  When Sam Elliott (caretaker) hits the screen to fill in all the missing pieces of the back-story his voice alone exudes strength.  His style can make every skeptic feel they are inside the comic book.  Peter Fonda breathes life into Mephistopheles pulling every ounce he has as an actor from the pages of the comic book.  His believablity as pure evil comes from his long line of playing against type in counterculture roles.  V.I.P was the first time we crossed paths with Eva Mendes (Roxanne Simpson) was with her portrayal of Esmeralda in two episodes in season 1 then returning in season 2.  Her looks accompanied by the accent faired well as she stood above the rest.  She continued to demand attention with every role such as "All About the Benjamins" "2Fast 2 Furious" "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" "Out of Time" and now "Ghost Rider".

The lighting sets the mood for the dark and dreary making the audience feel as held down as Blaze.  Musically the score lacked in touching base with the film and its characters to build a bridge to the audience.  The only highlight was "Ghost Riders in the Sky" which according to wikipedia it was performed by a band called SPIDERBAIT.  The graphics are well done but added little to the advancement for films such as Ghost Rider. 

RUSTY
12/16/07