Marvel had been teasing us with a Ghost Rider film for the last few years and finally brought it to us — the story of Johnny Blaze, the man who sold his soul for love. Hell on two wheels. And they did it with Nicolas Cage as the anti-hero, Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider.
But after watching the movie, I have to be honest and say that Cage actually manages to pull the whole thing off pretty well and I did not think he could do it. Using his own ideas about the character and his actual knowledge of the Ghost Rider actually helped his transition between both Blaze and Ghost Rider and turned it into something that was both fun and exciting to watch.
No, there was nothing new, or eye-popping in the special effects and in fact you have probably seen most of them in the trailers. But what is fun and what does make this a good film to spend time and money on is to watch all the effects come together to form a complete film.
The movie stays close to the comic book character and manages to keep the action and excitement going through the entire film. The plot is easy to follow; young Johnny Blaze makes a deal to save his father from dying of cancer, only to discover that the Devil is not called "The Trickster" or the "Prince of Liars" for nothing.
As the years pass, Blaze becomes a world-renowned motorcycle entertainer and stunt driver. He has merchandising programs, video games, and even clothing lines named after him. He is considered to have the best luck in the game, having survived numerous bouts with accidents that would have killed a normal person.
Yes, it is a straight out popcorn flick, plain guiltless fun. Nicolas Cage is wonderful to watch as he changes into the Ghost Rider, screaming and laughing as his skin starts to steam and, well, never mind my description. This is something you have to see to believe or understand.
At one point, I suddenly imagined Nicolas Cage as Etrigan. And yes, you have to be a comic fan to understand that idea. Otherwise, the CGI was very well done with the Rider's motorcycle something to truly see to be believed.
It was nothing short of amazing, especially since it is based on a real motorcycle design from what I understand. The shotgun used is also based on a real design, an antique from the late 1800s. But the movie does not rely totally on the CGI, there are also some incredible sets used, showing the destruction that occurs when a Demonic force battles otherworldly forces.
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