Ghost Rider (12A)
Posted by Guest Writer on Thu, 22 Mar 2007.
Starring: Matt Long, Raquel Alessi, Peter Fonda, Nicolas Cage, Wes Bentley, Eva Mendes
A deal is a deal, or so they say!
This little known Marvel comic series (some 30 years old) is brought to life with Nicholas Cage starring as Johnny Blaze in this great new film. A little known fact is that Johnny Depp was interested in playing this role, but Cage ended up being the lead!
Johnny Blaze is a 17 year old bike stuntman in a carnival who has a girlfriend, and who’s father, Barton Blaze (Brett Cullen), is hiding from Johnny the sad fact that he is suffering from cancer. Johnny only finds out by chance when his father is due for a chest scan, and he discovers a letter in the bin.
That night, after discovering the letter to his father in the bin, Johnny is cleaning his bike when a mysterious man turns up who knows a great deal about Johnny's situation. The stranger offers help, saying that he can cure his father by morning; and all he needs to do is sign a contract to sell his soul to the devil. One drop of blood secures the deal.
The next day Johnny's father dies whilst daring to perform a showpiece stunt. The Devil informs the young Blaze that the agreement was to prevent the illness, not the death, and that there is no use in him having anything worthwhile in his life anymore. With this Johnny leaves everything behind.
The film forwards to a few years later, and Johnny is performing one of the most daring stunts ever when he comes across Roxanne, his former girlfriend who he had left earlier to make his new life. That night they are meant to meet up but Johnny fails to make it due to an unexpected appearance by the Devil. The Devil proposes that instead of taking his soul, he can realease him from that contract if he becomes the "Ghost Rider" and defeats his evil son Blackheart (Wes Bentley), who wants to possess one thousand evil souls and transform hell on earth.
With this alternative agreed and trying to control his other personality – the "monster" in him, Johnny attempts to only use the curse as a gift; whether working for the Devil or not. To force sinners to feel pain that they have caused others.
Nicholas Cage acts fantastically throughout the film, performing the different personalities of the young Blaze extremely well and convincingly. For example when his jokes (and straight –forwardness) includes an element of truth, with the most memorable being – “like my skull’s on fire”. The transformation fro Blaze to Ghost Rider is also done very well.
The special effects are very good, almost convincing. Even Nicholas Cage’s own skeletal system is used as the Ghost Riders giving perfect structure!
This is a comic book film with a difference; no "goody" type heroes, just a byronic one, a very entertaining storyline, and comical scenes. Along with suspense and thrills this is a must see film for anybody who is looking for action. One of the better films of 2007 so far!
By Georgina