
Picture: Marvel Leisure and Sony Photos Releasing
“Ghost Rider,” starring Nicolas Cage, is an ideal popcorn film for me indubitably as a result of it strikes a steadiness between all of the cinematic qualities one would want in a superhero movie. That is very true because it contains a supernatural hero with deep roots in Marvel Comics and has had a extremely profitable run as certainly one of Marvel’s persistently top-selling titles. The supernatural character originated within the early ’70s with its authentic human host, Johnny Blaze, portrayed by Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage within the film adaptation.
Initially, I had doubts about Cage being the precise actor for the function after I noticed the official film trailer within the cinemas. Sure, my reminiscence is that good as a result of I do reside for the time being. Nevertheless, my considerations had been confirmed improper as soon as I watched the film, which finally grew to become one of the pleasant and entertaining movies I had ever seen as much as that time in my life.
As somebody who has been a comic-book reader and collector since childhood, Ghost Rider shortly grew to become certainly one of my all-time must-buy points each time I visited a comic-book store. Whether or not it was the brand new Ghost Rider human host Danny Ketch or the quite a few Ghost Rider titles, particularly the Spirit of Vengeance run, I used to be at all times fascinated by Ghost Rider as a result of, merely put, he was in contrast to every other Marvel Comedian E book character. As a boy, who wouldn’t discover a supernatural determine with a flaming cranium, using a motorbike, and wielding a series cool? Plus, he had his penance stare as certainly one of his final powers with supernatural potential that was proven within the film adaptation rather a lot.
Moreover, within the film “Ghost Rider,” Nicolas Cage did a improbable job portraying Johnny Blaze along with his superior appearing model, facial expressions, and temper modifications relying on the calls for of every scene. Nicolas Cage might have been a bit too outdated to painting Johnny Cage, however he definitely captured the essence and method of the character.
In previous interviews on the late-night present, it was revealed that Ghost Rider has been Nicolas Cage’s favourite Marvel comedian guide character since he was a teen. He talked about having a tattoo of Ghost Rider. So it was the function he really desired and the right casting selection. Then you have got the love curiosity of Johnny Blaze, “Roxanne Simpson,” portrayed by the gorgeous, charming, and sultry Eva Mendes, which made the film a win-win as their pairing labored and felt pure.
“Ghost Rider” was launched in 2007, a full 12 months earlier than the primary Iron Man film was launched, predating the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It belonged to a time when there have been an excellent variety of motion pictures starring Marvel superheroes, however they weren’t interconnected with one another. Every character existed solely inside their particular film, which was nice as a result of it was not a convoluted mess like it’s now, with each MCU film tied to one another I’m positive you understand what I imply by that.
“Ghost Rider” earned near $400 million, which is extremely spectacular and praiseworthy, particularly contemplating its modest finances. Nevertheless, the primary motive “Ghost Rider” grew to become a industrial hit was that the film studio took the mandatory dangers in bringing Ghost Rider to life on the massive display screen. Ghost Rider belongs to the underworld of Marvel Comics characters, who’re extraordinary.
To this present day, I nonetheless watch particular scenes from “Ghost Rider,” significantly the transformation scene, his first confrontation with Blackheart and his minions, and the jail escape scene. These scenes are a few of the most memorable from the film, however they had been later poorly imitated in a Marvel collection in an try to re-create the identical moments.
I consider that if “Ghost Rider” had been launched within the 2010s when the MCU was changing into the drive it now could be, the film would have been simply as profitable, or much more so. Nevertheless, the pattern of getting to tie in each film at the moment might have affected the storyline of “Ghost Rider” and eliminated the deal with its central onscreen characters, who had been all completely portrayed.
There are two distinct eras or phases to Marvel motion pictures: Pre-MCU and MCU. What’s left of it now? Sadly, the “glory years” of the MCU have handed. That is primarily based on all of the box-office returns and the downward trajectory of the standard of the flicks which were launched. The fact is, they’re already scraping the underside of the barrel.
“Ghost Rider” and its predecessors, such because the Blade motion pictures, the Spider-Man motion pictures, X-Males motion pictures, Implausible 4, Daredevil, Elektra and Hulk, all laid the groundwork, planted the seeds, and commenced the formation of what would change into the MCU. A time period that everyone knows and its that means.
“Ghost Rider” will at all times be a beloved reminiscence of a time when excessive hopes for the following batch of flicks primarily based on Marvel Comics can be as nice as or surpass “Ghost Rider”; hopes that grew to become a actuality.
Do your self a favor—in case you have not seen “Ghost Rider” but, watch it. What in case you have already seen it? Go down reminiscence lane and provides it one other watch.