Ghost Rider (2007)

Director:

Mark Steven Johnson

Writers (WGA):

Mark Steven Johnson (screenplay)
Mark Steven Johnson (screen story)

Release Date:

16 February 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Long ago he made a deal to save someone he loved.

Plot:

Based on the Marvel character, stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze gives up his soul to become a hellblazing vigilante, to fight against power hungry Blackheart, the son of the devil himself.

Plot Keywords:

Mephistopheles | Devil | Blackheart | Contract | Carnival

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Matt Long	...	Young Johnny Blaze
Raquel Alessi	...	Young Roxanne Simpson
Brett Cullen	...	Barton Blaze
Peter Fonda	...	Mephistopheles
Nicolas Cage	...	Johnny Blaze / Ghost Rider
Donal Logue	...	Mack
Tony Ghosthawk	...	Team Blaze
Hugh Sexton	...	Team Blaze
Marcus Jones	...	Team Blaze
Matt Norman	...	Team Blaze
Kenneth Ransom	...	T.V. Reporter
Lawrence Cameron Steele	...	X Games Announcer (as Cameron Steele)
Wes Bentley	...	Blackheart
Eddie Baroo	...	Motorcycle Gang Member
Jessica Napier	...	Broken Spoke Waitress

Also Known As:

Spirited Racer (Philippines: English title) (review title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for horror violence and disturbing images.

Runtime:

114 min | 123 min (extended cut)

Country:

USA | Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Cinevex)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS (8 channels) | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Finland:K-13 | Singapore:PG | Australia:M | Netherlands:12 | UK:12A | Ireland:12A | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Hong Kong:IIA | Norway:11 | Germany:12 (f) | Brazil:14 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | South Korea:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Argentina:13 | Italy:VM14 | Malaysia:U | Sweden:15 | Ireland:12 (UMD rating) | UK:12 (UMD rating) | Ireland:15 (DVD rating) | UK:15 (DVD rating) | Peru:14 | Japan:U | New Zealand:M | Iceland:12 | Iceland:16 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Continuing a trend in MVL adaptations, this film features foes not introduced in the series that this film adapts, but imported from other series. Blackheart debuted in Daredevil and Mephisto in the Silver Surfer.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the long shot of the rain in the desert (which later turns to falling fire) the rain is quite pronounced and heavy, yet the splashes in the puddles are only from a light drizzle.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Caretaker: [voiceover] It's said that the West was built on legends. Tall tales that help us make sense of things too great or too terrifying to believe. This is the legend of the Ghost Rider.

Movie Connections:

References Mortal Kombat (1992) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Stadium Rock City

Awesome flick if you like some cheesy fun

First off, I'd like to say that I really enjoyed this movie. I have read a lot of the bad hype that the flick has receieved, and I believe that this is partly due to the fact that people go into these types of movies expecting amazing advances in cinematography as well as a gripping and dramatic plot. Well, I hate to burst everybody's bubble, but that is really not the purpose of this type of movie. These bad reviews make me wonder just how serious you have to be (or just how snobby a critic) going into the theater to hate this type of movie making.

Far be it from me to say that this movie was perfect. It had its flaws and there were times when I found myself snickering at the silliness of it all, but that to me is good entertainment. The scenes where Cage turned into ghost rider for the first time were fairly intense, and I found myself marveling at the coolness of his transformation and powers. I also enjoyed the battle scenes including one involving ghost rider and a helicopter (I won't tell you what happens there, but it is pretty amusing). I also felt that the movie was pretty well-acted overall, and the entire flick maintained an aura of fun throughout (which I believe was the main purpose of the whole thing) while flowing smoothly through a simple plot.

If you are the type of person to over-analyze plots, scrutinize special effects, whine about some cheesy acting or if you get offended when a movie doesn't have a deep and philosophical meaning behind it, this is definitely not a movie you should waste your time or money on.

If, however, you are the type of person who enjoys some good laughs, some over the top (and at times cheesy) comic book acting, cool battle scenes, action and adventure, or if you simply just like to see some guy with a flaming skull, this is worth the 8 bucks to get into a theater seat.