THE SYNOPSIS For Johnny Blaze (Cage), life can be hell....literally. Years ago, the young circus stunt rider sold his soul to the Devil (Fonda) to save his father’s life. Johnny was tricked by Mephistopheles and Pops still kicked the bucket. As penance, Johnny left the circus and his young love Roxanne behind and hit the high road on his motorcycle. But the Devil will never be too far away, ready to on call on the lad to do his dark bidding… Jump ahead some 20 years later. Johnny Blaze is a famous daredevil motorcycle driver who packs the stadiums and wows the crowds with his dangerous stunts. Instead of getting killed, Johnny swaggers away from some of his stunts almost supernaturally—as if he has an angel looking over him. That’s what his loyal buddy and manager Mack (Logue) keeps telling him, but Johnny knows its something much more sinister. Hope arrives one day when Roxanne reappears into his life. A stunning woman, Roxanne has become a news reporter and interviews her ex-boyfriend. Naturally, Johnny is smitten by this news-gathering kitten. Just as they’re about to pick up where left off, dark forces arrive to cause mischief. Meet Blackheart (Bentley), the Devil’s Son and a purveyor of Evil who has impeccable fashion sense. His goal on Earth is to collect some parchment with the signatures of 1000 evil people and overthrow his demonic father. But not so fast, as Mephistopheles summons Johnny and turns him into Ghost Rider, a supernatural being complete with flaming skull and appendages, mastery over evildoers and a kick-ass motorcycle. He receives some mentoring from another Rider, Carter Slade (Elliott) and sets out to defeat Blackheart and save Humanity from Evil. THE CRITIQUE Ghost Rider is another Marvel Comics creation that has been brought to life and the results are actually better than expected. Budgeted at around $110,000,000, this VFX smorgasbord entertains as well as it thrills with its otherworldly themes. Good old Marvel Entertainment maven Avi Arad has another hit on his belt. Before I fire-up my thoughts on the technical aspects of Ghost Rider, let me delve into the talent before the camera. As much as I like Nicolas Cage, I do feel that he was miscast in the lead role of Johnny Blaze. Not only is he a bit long-in-the-tooth for the character, but also his whole disposition is rather inaccurate (or, at least that’s what I was told by fans of the comic book). But I know why he was cast: the man can open a movie (box office-wise). And judging from its healthy worldwide box office ($185,000,000 and counting), don’t be surprised if the Ghost Rider sequel is forthcoming (note: it is). At least Cage is entertaining and the boy has buffed up for the role, looking lean and mean. So that helps, I’m sure. Sharing the screen with cage is the sexy and sultry Eva Mendes. The Latina actress is burning a trail for herself in Hollywood and this notch on her resume won’t hurt. She brings some spice to a supporting role that could’ve been sidelined by the VFX. And oh yeah; she’s hot, baby! Yowsah!! Yowsah!! Yowsah!! Supporting cast is game as well. The always-enjoyable Donal Logue is given very little screen time (a pity) while the casting of veteran actors Peter Fonda and Sam Elliott are very welcome. Fonda’s casting, though is a bit odd—but done so in tribute of his enduring Easy Rider persona (for you kiddies out there who don’t know, Peter Fonda rode across America on a motorcycle similar to Ghost Rider’s—sans chains and skulls of course—in the seminal ‘60s movie). Sam Elliott brings his Road House-esque mentoring style to the proceedings and also carries off the movie. The guy’s always a joy to watch. Lastly, gotta mention brooding actor Wes Bentley—who sports the most wicked pair of eyebrows since the late, great Bela Lugosi walked the Earth. Decked out with them brows and a Matrix-style wardrobe, his Blackheart character can always find work modeling for Goth magazines! Let’s jump behind the lens and discuss the work of those responsible, shan’t we? After the misfire that was 2003’s Daredevil, Director-Screenwriter Mark Steven Johnson returns with a better concept & improved execution (for the record, besides writing and directing the aforementioned Daredevil, he also wrote the screenplay for such movies as Jack Frost (1998), Simon Birch (1998) and the Grumpy Old Men movies (1993-95). While his script is naturally-clichéd, the comic book formula-plotting works because of it perpetuates the exciting Ghost Rider mythos—which had graced comic books from 1973-1983. Of note is the glossy, widescreen-lensing courtesy of veteran Aussie cinematographer Russell Boyd (Oscar©-winner for 2003’s Master & Commander: The Far Side Of The World; also shot such movies as Tin Cup, Crocodile Dundee I & II and Gallipoli). One thing is for certain; this movie looked damned good! Must also mention some sharp cutting by veteran Aussie editor Richard Francis-Bruce (2003’s The Italian Job/Air Force One/The Rock) and appropriately slick leather & chrome production design by veteran Kirk M. Petruccelli (2008’s The Incredible Hulk/Lara Croft 1 & 2/Blade). Other tech credits (costumes, etc.) are pro as well. Wait, gotta mention some dynamite VFX by the 7 houses listed (see this IMDB link for more info). The best of these FX are the ones dealing with Ghost Rider himself. His renderings are the most realistic on the entire show. Melding fire and water (as it happens in one sequence) is rather difficult to do—but the artisans pulled it off! For the record, the movie was shot in Melbourne, Australia—with some re-shoots done in Vancouver, Canada. Gotta love those tax incentives! THE BOTTOM LINE Ghost Rider is a better-than-average comic book adaptation that features some solid VFX, a decent story and a watchable cast. Though Nicolas Cage is rather miscast, at least he doesn’t completely burn out as the main character (pun intended). Enjoy this one for the cool FX and the always-entertaining Sam Elliott in his Road House-esque mentor role. And of course, sexy Eva Mendes is a hottie who burns up any screen that she’s on! CAST:Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Peter Fonda. Sam Elliott, Wes Bentley & Donal Logue CREDITS: Director/Screenwriter: Mark Steven Johnson; Producers: Avi Arad, Steven Paul, Michael De Luca & Gary Foster; Director of Photography: Russell Boyd; Production Designer: Kirk M. Petruccelli; Editor: Richard Francis-Bruce; Costume Designer: Lizzy Gardiner; Music: Christopher Young AC/AL/V 2007 110m ENGLISH http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_budgetinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_effecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movie_camerahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_effectroadhouse.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_directorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenwriterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenwriterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_directorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenplayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenplayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widescreenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinematographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinematographerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awardshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_editinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_editing#Film_editorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Production_designerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_effecthttp://imdb.com/title/tt0259324/companycreditshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_effecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_effectroadhouse.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3shapeimage_2_link_4shapeimage_2_link_5shapeimage_2_link_6shapeimage_2_link_7shapeimage_2_link_8shapeimage_2_link_9shapeimage_2_link_10shapeimage_2_link_11shapeimage_2_link_12shapeimage_2_link_13shapeimage_2_link_14shapeimage_2_link_15shapeimage_2_link_16shapeimage_2_link_17shapeimage_2_link_18shapeimage_2_link_19shapeimage_2_link_20shapeimage_2_link_21shapeimage_2_link_22