Marvel May - Ghost Rider (2007)

         Hey guys, Chuck here, and we're really close to the end of Marvel May . So, to finish out this year's Marvel May, we're going to look at a pair of movies that, while definitely anticipated at the time, aren't the most fondly remembered amongst a majority of Marvel fans. Although, they do carry a small number of dedicated fans. And the first of these movies is the 2007 film Ghost Rider, which was produced by Sony Pictures, the studio behind Spider-Man, and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, the director of 2003's Daredevil movie with Ben Affleck. 

        So, Ghost Rider follows Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stunt driver who is part of a father-son daredevil team with his father, Barton Blaze. Johnny is also in a relationship with a young woman named Roxanne Simpson, and the two plan to leave both of their fathers behind and start a life together. Unfortunately, Barton is revealed to have cancer. That night, while tuning up the bikes, Johnny is approached by Mephistopheles (the film's version of comic book villain Mephisto), who offers to cure Barton's cancer in exchange for Johnny's soul. Johnny agrees to the deal, and the next morning, Barton is completely cured of cancer. 

        At that day's exhibition, Barton loses control and wrecks against the Ring of Fire, and dies from the crash. Johnny, upset, rides off, running into Mephistopheles once again, who reveals that he did, indeed, cure Barton's cancer as agreed, and would be back to cash in on Johnny's end of the bargain. Years later, and Johnny is a successful stunt motorcyclist, selling out arenas across the country. One day, after wrecking a jump over a row of trucks, Johnny's best friend and crew chief Mack tells Johnny how his history of surviving what should be fatal wrecks are something more than luck. 

       It's here where a demon named Blackheart, who is the son of Mephistopheles (which is accurate to the Marvel Comics, as Blackheart was created by Mephisto), arrives and contracts a trio called The Hidden to go after a dangerous relic: the San Venganza contract. The contract was a deal made to the people of the town of San Venganza, who became corrupt and eventually killed each other. Now, the contract controls a thousand evil souls, and in the hands of either Mephistopheles or Blackheart would bring Hell on Earth. As for the Hidden, these three are angels who fell and fused with the elements of Earth (Gressil), Air (Abigor), and Water (Wallow). Along with recruiting the Hidden, Blackheart also begins killing people to get to the Contract. 

       As for Johnny, he gears up for a jump, which was planned to be over a row of cars, but instead is over a row of military helicopters (as a nod to something his father thought would be cool). Before the jump, he reunites with Roxanne, who is now a successful journalist. After the jump, Johnny chases after Roxanne on the freeway, and she agrees to join him on a dinner date. Unfortunately, he's forced to miss out on the date, as Mephistopheles returns to cash in on Johnny's end of their deal, forcing him to take down Blackheart and the Hidden. This, Johnny transforms into the fiery skeleton known as the Ghost Rider. Johnny successfully takes down Gressil, but Blackheart and the others escape. Johnny rides off to the cemetery, and reaches his father's grave. 

       It's here where we meet the Caretaker, who tells Johnny all about the Ghost Rider, the Hidden, and that what transpired the night before will happen again, and he's safest in the cemetery, as the Hidden can't step on hallowed ground. Johnny then leaves to find Roxanne, and he tells her everything, and she leaves in disbelief. Johnny is then arrested and locked up for Blackheart's murders. Johnny becomes the Ghost Rider again, escapes the police, defeats Abigor, and heads back to the cemetery, where the Caretaker tells the story of a previous Ghost Rider named Carter Slade, a former Texas Ranger, whom Mephistopheles sent to collect the San Venganza contract, but Carter couldn't hand over something so evil to Mephistopheles, and took off with it. 

       Blackheart then kills Mack and captures Roxanne, both of whom are concerned about Johnny. Upon arriving, Blackheart reveals he has no soul to burn, rendering Johnny's Penance Stare useless. Blackheart then orders Johnny to get the contract and deliver it to him in the ruins of San Venganza. Johnny then goes back to the Caretaker, who has it. And when Johnny infers why he made the deal, the Caretaker realizes it was for a good reason, and not out of greed. Carter reveals that he, himself, is Carter Slade, and the two head together to San Venganza, where Johnny is pulled underwater by Wallow, but Johnny boils him into oblivion. In San Venganza, Johnny hands over the contract, Blackheart frees Roxanne, and he then summons the souls from the contract, merging with them to become Legion. Johnny and Legion fight it out, with Johnny using Carter's lever-action shotgun, enhanced by Johnny's powers, against Legion. Johnny then turns into the Ghost Rider and uses all the souls gathered inside of Blackheart to finish him with the Penance Stare, finally killing him. 

       Mephistopheles arrives, agreeing to take Johnny's Ghost Rider powers away, so he can live a life with Roxanne. Johnny, however, refuses, proclaiming "I'm gonna own this curse, and I'm gonna use it against you. Wherever innocent blood is spilled, it'll be my father's blood, and you'll find me there. A Spirit of Vengeance." Swearing to make Johnny pay, Mephistopheles takes off and takes Blackheart with him. At the tree from their youth, Roxanne tells Johnny he's found his second chance, and the two share a passionate kiss goodbye. Riding off into the horizon, Johnny prepares for his new life as the Ghost Rider. 

        Okay, so when I was a Freshman in high school, this movie was highly talked about. Everyone was looking to see it in theaters, and it was a box office success because of that. Critics, however, were far less kind to the movie, and really tore it apart. But, was it deserved? In certain areas, yes, but not in the ones you're probably thinking. 

       For example, the acting in Ghost Rider is probably the saving grace of the movie, with the most notable performance being the film's leading man Nicolas Cage. Seriously, even with how nonsensical the movie is, it works because Nicolas Cage really fits into the character of Johnny Blaze. I also really enjoyed Eva Mendes as Roxanne, as well as both Donal Logue and Sam Elliott. Peter Fonda and Wes Bentley were fine as the film's villains, but they were pretty basic. Although, Wes Bentley definitely does ham it up a little bit as Blackheart. 

         The design of Ghost Rider's signature motorcycle was badass. It definitely looked like a rad frickin' motorcycle fit for the devil's bounty hunter. Also, the design of Ghost Rider himself was very faithful to the comics, and just seeing that flaming skeleton in the biker outfit is just awesome. And the music by Christopher Young has a mix of orchestra, western, and rock, which I enjoyed. But, the one bit of music I enjoyed was a cover of the famous ballad "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky," performed for this movie as a rock anthem by Spiderbait. Along with the Blues Brothers version of the song, this is probably my favorite version of the famous ballad. 

         The story, unfortunately, is really clunky and all over the place. However, I think it was mostly designed to cater to hardcore fans of the Ghost Rider character. So, if there were any Marvel fans unfamiliar with the character in the comics, I understand why this movie seemed confusing. However, the extended cut of the movie is definitely a smoother experience, and definitely worth the watch. So, I'm giving Ghost Rider a rating of 3.05/5. 

         Okay, so I'm going to sign off for now. But, be sure to join me on Tuesday for the final review of this year's Marvel May: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.