Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6625 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-07-02
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL
• Original language: English
• Dubbed in: Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 123 minutes

Amazon.co.uk
Once intended as a feature for Johnny Depp, the long-germinating 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 mature for the role, Cage brings a degree of humour 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 Blaze's 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 characterisations and 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

Synopsis
The prophetically named Johnny Blaze and his father perform death-defying stunts in a carnival, but the real danger to his dad's life is the cancer growing within his dying body. To save him, Johnny makes a deal with Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda, EASY RIDER) and sacrifices his soul. When his father is killed mid-stunt, Johnny runs away, leaving behind his grief and a young love named Roxanne. Years later, Johnny (Nicolas Cage, WORLD TRADE CENTER) is the most famous rider in the country. Despite his daredevil tendencies, Johnny is a different man when he’s not riding his bike. Though he wears leather jackets and pants, he prefers jelly beans to Jim Beam while listening to the Carpenters. Years have passed since Johnny has seen the love of his life, but he still carries a torch for Roxanne (Eva Mendes, HITCH). When he sees her after a stunt, he tries to regain her love and trust. But it’s time for the devil to take his due as he brings Johnny into an epic battle with Blackheart (Wes Bentley, AMERICAN BEAUTY). In the presence of evil, Johnny transforms into a super-strong skeleton with a flaming skull who has the power to defeat Blackheart and his minions. As Johnny, Cage plays a cross between his Elvis devotee in WILD AT HEART and the sensitive he-man in CON AIR. The evil Mephistopheles is Fonda's most memorable role since his Oscar-nominated turn in ULEE'S GOLD, and this film provides an opportunity for him to return to the spotlight. Director Mark Steven Johnson (DAREDEVIL) provides a film driven by both humour and action. This extended edition of the film has a longer running time than the theatrical version.

Customer Reviews

Better than you might think
This is one of those films that is far better than the reviews suggest. Essentially a comic book horror western, all of the cast, especially Cage, Elliott and Fonda give good performances in an enjoyable and none too serious romp. The effects are excellent and this blu-ray letterbox transfer looks and sounds stunning at 1080p (in a different league from the DVD). Extras are the same as those on the equivalent extended cut DVD and include a commentary and featurettes. At the time of writing this BD was going for the price of peanuts - well worth the small investment if you are prepared to go with the flow and enjoy it at face value. The disc is coded A-B-C.

Nicholas Cage Blazes onto Screen with Great Effect
Don't listen to the negative reviews on this one as this is a sheer adrenalin filled action fantasy film with special effects to die for...Now let's get one thing out of the way this is based on a Marvel comic story just like spiderman so it's not to be taken too seriously....Nicholas Cage is Johnny Blaze played by intially a teenage hormone prone sidekick at the start who happens to be a great stuntman on a bike...he falls in love with a local girl again played by a different actress in teenage years to be grown up into Eva Mendes (pheeeeeeeew)....Cage's father develops cancer which Cage is unaware of as the very same night he learns this, is the night he wants to go a.w.o.l. with his teenage sweetheart who is moving town so they plan to run away together....however once Cage learns of his fathers health he is visited by a dark stranger who promises to cure his father by morning if he sells his soul to him....the Devil played by Peter Fonda (who also appeared with Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider) ...Next morning comes and whilst Cage's father is cured of Cancer all does'nt go to plan and Cage finds himself as the Devil's Bounty Hunter thus The Legend of The Ghost Rider.....with Sam Neill (Roadhouse) and Wes Bentley who plays Blackheart the wayward Devil's son who wants to run the show then this can only mean one thing.....the biggest showdown in screen special effects as they are amazing....This is a high octane fantasy film with great imagination. Cage plays the role well as he is tongue in cheek with his Carpenters music and jelly beans. Eva Mendes just looks good and the picture as well as the sound are just outstanding in a reference quality blu-ray....buy it you'll love it

Could have been better
I'll keep this short and say that this film could have been so much beter and felt un finnished and rushed, almost in the same way daredevil did, a good no brainer film dont get me wrong but with so many comic book adeptation movies springing up nowerdays this one will unfortunatly fall below the radar. As a Blueray though this does offer very good picture quality and sound but only a small smattering of extra features which are only in standard def you might feel short changed. Get this if you was a fan of the comics or nic cage but think twice if you are not as there is better out there.

What I watched it on.
Panasonic 42px60 (plasma 1080i)
playstation 3 blu-ray player (HDMI)
JVC th-v70r surround sound (optical) (dolby digital 5.1) (inc tannoy m1 front L/R speakers)