Spilled Ink

We went to the movies yesterday to see Ghost Rider. I had a great time with it as I am a fan of the comics and think Nicholas Cage is a nut (in a good way). The movie played along the path of the typical character back story leading up to current events. Nicholas Cage plays Johnny Blaze, a stunt rider who years before made a pact with the devil in order to save his dad from cancer. There were slight deviations and mish mashes from the comics done in the movie. It is my opinion that this was done to make a broad reaching character that had more than just I’ll beat you up while I am on fire. Nicholas Cage was a bit overdone as Johnny Blaze with the Elvis like glasses and stare (he poses several times like he was going to sing Jailhouse Rock). Eva Mendez was a bit more credible and grounded the film a bit (if that was possible). The special effects in the film were very tight when they came to Ghost Rider but lacked in other places.

The story starts with a young Johnny working in a carnival doing tricks on a bike with his dad. Johnny is approached by a mysterious stranger who offers him help for his father, who is keeping an illness a secret. Taking the deal, Johnny soon is left to make his way in the world leaving all he knows behind, including a younger version of Roxanne, who later in the film is played by Eva Mendez. As events unfold, the stranger comes back to Johnny to put him in play against the vile “Blackheart,” who aims to bring hell on earth. Johnny takes on the mantel of the “Ghost Rider” in order to stop Blackheart and ensure safety for those that he cares for.

I had a great time, as the film was mostly eye-candy and a fun romp through the Marvel Universe. If you are a Ghost Rider fan then seeing this on the big screen is a must. If you are not a Ghost Rider fan and you have a wall screen or a giant plasma… You could always wait for the video.

If you’ve seen the film please chime in…

Regards,
Walt