Film Review: Ghost Rider (2007)

My first film of 2007 release.

There were two kind of heroes, a hero in the path of true good fighting a true evil with ultimately a good nature. Example to this kind of hero was Superman, and in a certain extent, most of comic heroes, such as Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, whoever. The second one was my preference, an anti-hero. Those who thread the thin line between good and evil. These anti-heroes usually had a desire to do something considered as not-good such as revenges, grudges, ignorances, and so forth. Many may not agreed, but i considered Batman as an anti-hero. Thus, Batman Begins was my favourite superhero film. My second favourite film was another anti-hero, Hellboy. And i've been busy bashing those who for some unknown stupid reasons dont like Hellboy.

Ghost Rider has a potential to be another anti-hero film that i would like. But no, i merely give it a nod. Give it to the hand of capable of good writer and it would fare better. But instead of choosing some capable writers, the Marvel's mastermind, Avi Arad, chooses Mark Steven Johnson who has been proofed himself - at least to my eyes - that he's not so good a writer. Consider Daredevil or Elektra. This film has a similar repetition to Daredevil or Elektra (from little that i had remembered), corny dialogs, MTV-style zoom-in zoom-out, fast-forward-slow-mo shots, uneven pace, and corny dialogs (yes, i wrote it twice).

The only thing that i considered good in this film was the special effects (cheesy but enjoyable to watch), and Nic Cage. Mr. Cage has been a huge comic fan. His name (Cage) was taken from another Marvel's superhuman Luke Cage and he has been waiting for his chance to land in a role of superhero. And of course he would delivered Jhonny Blaze with passions. And as everything done in passions, the result would usually good. If you liked special effects, this film won't disappoint. Your kids might like it too, just be sure to accompany them because Eva Mendes was so sexy and desirably inviting.

Speaking of Eva Mendes, this girl would add another name to a list of failed superhero's female sidekick (or love interest). Not since Kim Basinger (Batman) or Selma Blair (Hellboy) had i seen these female roles delivered rather nicely.

All in all, this is just another B-class superhero film. Certainly not one to get craved into memory despite all the nifty special effects. The story would look good in comic book, but it was certainly laughable on screen.

My Rating: ** / ****