Ghost Rider Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)February 18th, 2007
"Ghost Rider" - Bonehead
by Homer Yen
(c) 2007
What was that Bonnie Tyler song from the 80s?
Was it "Holding Out for a Hero" or something like
that? After watching the uninteresting "Ghost
Rider", I think that the audience will be holding
out for the next hero. Even with stylish leather
and chains Goth-apparel, a cycle from Monster
Garage, and shades of The Terminator, this film
about a fiery bounty hunter didn't even provide
lukewarm entertainment. Ghost Rider really isn't
even a character as it is a walking special
effect. He's less fearsome than The Terminator
(although that flaming skull could instill fear
in your foes) and certainly less charismatic than
even The Hulk.
The opening sequence shows a young Johnny Blaze
who is a fearless yet excellent stunt cyclist.
Finding out that his Dad is dying, he makes a
deal with Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda). At some
point in the future, when Johnny is needed, the
demon will come a-calling. Johnny grows up into
a famous Evel Knievel-ish daredevil (now Nicolas
Cage), and perhaps due to his pact, he can walk
away from any accident.
Johnny has some interesting options. Being
pretty much impervious to abuse, it seemed like
he could've done some extracurricular activities
rather than just be a bounty hunter for the
Devil. When he transforms into the Ghost Rider
(very cool are the effects, as Johnny Blaze
transforms from human to humanoid inferno), he
possesses a mental weapon called the Penance
Stare, which causes those caught gazing into
Ghost Rider's eyes to feel the pain of all of the
innocent souls inflicted by that evil-doer. But
the visualization is just laughable. It was like
staring through the bottom of a shot glass as it
slid over the side of a lava lamp. I wonder if
this vision is what the Human Torch sees when he
closes his eyes for a 5 minute power nap.
The writer of this film was also responsible for
other recent films based on the Marvel universe.
That would be "Elektra" and "Daredevil" - neither
which I particularly liked either. But this is
the worst of the three. I think that the main
problem is that when immortals do battle, there
is no sense of victory or drama or suspense.
After all, no one can really die. So, for there
to be any spark of life, there needs to be some
interesting characters. But, oh boy, even Peter
Fonda has about as much emotion on his face as
the South Park kids.
I think a more interesting story would've been
some insight into how the managers of this
talented cast persuaded them that this was a good
idea. Including Cage, there are Eva Mendes and
Wes Bentley (great in "American Beauty"),
veterans Peter Fonda and Sam Elliott, and Donal
Logue (relatively unknown but his performance
here outshines the others). Maybe we'll see that
on the Extras section of the DVD. Note to
Blockbuster: make some space on the shelf in the
next 4 weeks.
I found it ironic that Johnny at one point
poignantly asks, "If somebody makes a mistake --
a big mistake -- do you think they should pay for
it every day for the rest of their lives?" Of
course, I'm not sure if he's talking about
himself or if he's talking to the audience for
buying the ticket. Well, at least for us
mortals, we don't have the problem of a head
engulfed in flame.
Grade: C-
S: 1 out of 3
L: 1 out of 3
V: 1 out of 3
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