Ghost Rider (Two-Disc Extended Cut)
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Brett Cullen, Matt Long (II), Nicolas Cage, Peter Fonda, Raquel AlessiBrand: SONY PICTURES HOME ENT
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.40:1
Running Time: 114 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-06-12
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Ghost Rider (Two-Disc Extended Cut)
Movie Review: "You can't live in fear"
Summary: 5 Stars
I personally feel that the numerous superhero films that have been popping up since "X-Men" came out in 2000 are all of about the same quality. Yeah, everyone has their personal favorites (mine is "Daredevil: The Director's Cut") but, generally speaking, they're all decent cinematic versions of the comic heroes.
Mark Steven Johnson's "Ghost Rider" (2007) combines Faust and Spider-Man and mixes in elements of all the variations of the Ghost Rider comics up to the present, including the 50's Western hero, but it's main inspiration is the 70s-80s comic featuring Johnny Blaze as the protagonist.
What makes Ghost Rider appealing? Well, the only thing cooler than a guy in black leather and chains driving a Harley is a flaming skeleton in black leather and chains driving a supernatural flaming Harley. That pretty much explains it.
THE PLOT: Johnny Blaze and his father make a living as Evel Knieval-like stunt riders in a carnival. When Johnny's dad is diagnosed with cancer he is mislead into making a deal with the devil. His father is healed of the cancer but Satan makes sure he dies in a stunt accident. Johnny ultimately discovers that, because of his foolish deal, he is cursed to become the nigh-invincible Ghost Rider -- a supernatural flaming skeleton -- whenever he comes face to face with evil. Satan then enlists him as his "bounty hunter" to capture his prodigal son, Blackheart, who naturally hates his father and is intent on getting the "contract of San Vengaza" for the purpose of starting some kind of hell on earth. Ultimately Johnny must make a decision about what to do with his powers -- give 'em back to Satan or use 'em to fight evil.
Some criticize Nicholas Cage as Johnny Blaze because Blaze is supposed to be about 30 years old, while Cage was around 41 during filming. Yeah, someone like James Franco would have been better for the role, especially since Franco looks exactly like Mike Ploog's version of Blaze, but Cage does a fine, likable job. Besides, I know guys 25 years old that look older than Cage does in the film. In fact, you'll see that Cage is in incredible shape for a man in his early forties. As for Eva Mendes, who plays Johnny's girlfriend Roxanne, she's ten years younger than Cage and is both voluptuous and adequate in the role, not to mention highly likable.
Some criticize the film as too serious, others as too goofy, but the fact is that "Ghost Rider" has the same general tone as all the other superhero flicks released since 2000. It's a serious story for the most part, although completely unbelievable due to the subject matter, with some humor thrown in for good measure. In other words, it's neither deathly serious nor a campy goof-fest; it rides the line between these two extremes.
If all you want out of "Ghost Rider" is an entertaining supernatural superhero flick "Ghost Rider" delivers and is worth renting or owning for that purpose. But thankfully the film delivers on a deeper level as well. Allow me to throw out to you a smattering of the many noteworthy or fascinating aspects of the film:
-- Note that Johnny is mislead into "selling his soul" to the devil and has to face the negative consequences of his decision. Few people will literally "sell their soul" to Satan as shown in the story but we can all relate to the struggle with the evil that exists within our own hearts. If or when we decide to live according to the inclinations of our lower, destructive, selfish nature are we not, in a sense, "selling our soul" to the devil? (regardless of whether we view the devil as a literal spiritual being or merely as a symbol of potential human evil). Whenever we choose to live according to this lower nature will we not automatically perform evil and, in that sense, fulfill the devil's will? (ditto).
-- Peter Fonda as Satan is perfect and entertaining, as is Sam Elliott as the old Westerner.
-- Love is a strong theme in the story. Johnny "sells his soul" for love of his father. He didn't do it for greed or some other carnal purpose. This is agape love, self-sacrificial love, love in it's highest and purest form. This puts Johnny on God's side (as Elliott's character observes in the film) and makes him a serious threat to the devil's purposes on earth.
-- We also witness Blaze's great love for Roxanne and vice versa, as well as Mack's love for Johnny, etc.
-- This is brilliantly contrasted by the total absence of love in Satan's kingdom. The devil hates his son and vice versa. This is a fitting depiction because God is described as love in the Bible; and since Satan has chosen to separate from God and be His enemy, he has naturally separated himself from love and become love's enemy. Hate in all its ugly manifestations is therefore the essence of the devil's kingdom and relationships.
-- When Blaze first turns into the Ghost Rider and goes for a ride in his flame cycle he causes great havok wherever he goes. You'll note that this is much toned down in his later excursions as Ghost Rider. The explanation? Johnny simply didn't know how to control the supernatural hellfire and "spirit of vengeance" during his initial conversion.
-- Although it's supposed to be amusing, it makes sense that Johnny would listen to The Carpenters in his down time. Blaze's daredevil lifestyle and his problems with the Ghost Rider curse would understandably cause him a great deal of stress. Listening to Karen's ultra-soothing voice would be a great pacifier.
-- There's a great scene of Ghost Rider riding off the top of a skyscrapper, whipping his chain in exulting fury, and then riding full blast down the building smashing into the pavement below as police and onlookers observe in total disbelief.
-- In the comics Blackheart was the only comic character that ever sent literal chills down my spine (in Ann Nocenti's Daredevil). I didn't get this feeling from Wes Bentley's portrayal in the film, although there's a hint of that. Regardless, Bentley does a fine job in the role. And Blackheart's total ugly wickedness is certainly revealed or demonstrated here and there.
-- There's a great musical interlude featuring the Ghost Rider and the Caretaker (Elliott) riding through the night desert for hundreds of miles to San Vengaza. Fittingly, the song is a modern hard rock version of "Ghost Riders in the Sky" (I love that song! Who doesn't?)
-- I saw the theatrical version when it first came out on DVD and recently purchased the director's cut, which adds approximately 10 minutes of extra footage for a total of about 2 hours runtime. Unlike "Daredevil," where the director's cut transformed a mediocre flick into a great one, the extra footage for "Ghost Rider" doesn't make or break the story. In fact, I can't really tell what the extra footage is. It's mostly just extended dialogue, I guess. So, if you don't feel like shelling out the extra cash for the director's cut, you're not missing all that much, if anything the extra footage just slows the film down (but I prefer it).
-- The picture was filmed in Victoria, Australia, and the city of Melbourne.
-- The Ghost Rider himself (itself?) is a triumph of special effects. Needless to say, the film is enjoyable just to look at.
-- On the extra features disk (director's cut only) there's a great 4-part documentary called "Sin and Salvation" on each of the comics incarnations of Ghost Rider up to the present, which runs approximately 45 minutes. It features such comics notables as Roy Thomas, Mike Ploog, J.M. DeMatteis, Howard Mackie and many more.
CONCLUSION: 4 Stars for the film itself and 1 Star for the "Sin and Salvation" documentary.
If anything I've mentioned here trips your trigger be sure to check out "Ghost Rider."
Summary of Ghost Rider (Two-Disc Extended Cut)
Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) was only a teenaged stunt biker when he sold his soul to the devil (Peter Fonda). Years later Johnny is a world renowned daredevil by day but at night he becomes the Ghost Rider of Marvel Comics legend. The devil s bounty hunter he is charged with finding evil souls on earth and bringing them to hell. But when a twist of fate brings Johnny s long-lost love (Eva Mendes) back into his life Johnny realizes he just might have a second chance at happiness if he can beat the devil and win back his soul. To do so he ll have to defeat Blackheart (Wes Bentley) the devil s nemesis and wayward son whose plot to take over his father s realm will bring hell on earth unless Ghost Rider can stop him.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: PG - 13 UPC: 043396196643 Manufacturer No: 19664Once intended as a feature for Johnny Depp, the long-germinating feature film adaptation of Marvel Comics' cult title Ghost Rider stars Nicolas Cage as motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who transforms into a skull-faced angel of vengeance to battle the forces of evil. Though perhaps a bit too mature for the role, Cage brings a degree of humor to the outrageous proceedings; he's well matched by the Easy Rider himself Peter Fonda, amusingly cast as Mephistopheles, the demon with whom Blaze strikes a bargain to save his father, and in turn, causes his transformation into Ghost Rider. Wes Bentley is also fine as Blackheart, the rebellious offspring of Mephistopheles, and Blazes' chief opponent in the film. They're joined by a solid supporting cast which includes Donal Logue, Eva Mendes, and Sam Elliott, but their participation and a relentless barrage of CGI effects can't hide the fact that the story itself, though largely faithful to its comic origins, is rife with clichéd characterizations and glum B-movie dialogue. Fans of the venerable title may cry foul over this adaptation (as they did over helmer Mark Steven Johnson's previous comic-to-movie feature, Daredevil), but less stringent viewers may enjoy the fiery visuals and Cage's typically quirky performance. --Paul Gaita
On the DVD
Though largely reviled by critics, Ghost Rider performed well enough during its theatrical run to warrant this deluxe edition DVD, which adds nine more minutes to the feature and includes a wealth of extras that cover its production, as well as the Marvel Comics character's history. The deleted footage is a mix of throwaway detail (reporter/love interest Eva Mendes' investigation into the Ghost Rider's identity gets more screen time) and interesting character wrinkles (the reason behind Johnny Blaze's deal with Mephistopheles has a less-than-honorable side) that help in part to give the film some dramatic heft. But these will have less cache with viewers and fans of the film than the supplemental features, which cover the making of the film in broad but interesting detail. Two commentaries are provided, one from director Mark Steven Johnson and visual effects supervision Kevin Mack, and the other by producer Gary Foster; both are informative, but those with a taste for the technical side of moviemaking will find the former more valuable, as both men cover the production intricacies at length. The making-of featurette "Spirit of Vengeance" is actually three 30-minute documentaries which include interviews with the cast, production tidbits, and a eyebrow-raising bit of Nicolas Cage working through his own process of "becoming" the Ghost Rider (those that consider Cage an amusing eccentric will find these clips most enjoyable). A gallery of animatics show how certain scenes evolved from production sketch to finished special effect, but the most intriguing extra is "Sin and Salvation," a four-part documentary that traces Ghost Rider's comic book incarnation from his origin in the 1970s to the revivals and revisions of the '90s and 2000s. For longtime GR fans, this may be the most valuable extra, as it gives an excellent overview of the character, and serves as a reminder of what made him such a cult hit to those who may have been disappointed by this big-screen version. -- Paul Gaita
Extras from Ghost Rider
 Visit our Exclusive Ghost Rider Microsite Visit the Site |
 On Blu-ray |  CD Soundtrack |  Ghost Rider: Road To Damnation |
Stills from Ghost Rider (click for larger image)
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