Despite being an overall box office success, the 2007 Marvel movie Ghost Rider received negative reviews from both critics and audiences alike. Starring Nicolas Cage as the titular Johnny Blaze, Ghost Rider was Sony Pictures' attempt to capitalize on their Spider-Man success with another Marvel character; in this case, the Ghost Rider, a character who sold his soul to the Devil in the comics.
The story of Ghost Rider follows famous stunt motorcycle rider, Johnny Blaze, who, as a child, sold his soul to Mephistopheles in exchange for curing his father’s cancer. When the demon collects on their bargain, he makes Johnny the new Ghost Rider, Mephistopheles’ flaming, demonic bounty hunter inhabited by the Spirit of Vengeance.
Unfortunately, while the comics are extremely dark, the movie adaptation of Ghost Rider took a decidedly more campy approach, which didn’t land well with most reviewers. The film currently holds a 26% on Rotten Tomatoes, but has a 5.2/10 on IMDB and a 90% approval rating on Google reviews. So, why does the film have such a bad reputation? When the first Ghost Rider movie was released in 2007, fans were excited to see an on-screen adaptation of the Spirit of Vengeance in all his fiery glory, but taking a non-comic-accurate approach soured fans as well as critics who were accustomed to stronger comic book movies like X-Men, Spider-Man, and Batman Begins.
“With its sequel-ready resolution, Ghost Rider embodies franchise hopes that may be dashed by a central character who’s more funny than frightening. As for Mr. Cage, the only thing he should be firing is his manager.”
“It's entertaining to watch ol' hothead do his thing with his fiery chain and his ‘penance stare,’ but for a comic book with a rebel spirit, the adaptation feels obediently conventional.”
“If [the effects] are all you care about, it won't matter that the rest of the movie is little more than a series of poses and really terrible dialogue. Nicolas Cage tones himself down considerably to play Johnny Blaze, a man who sells his soul to the Devil and must act as Hell's own bounty hunter in return. But for once, you wish he'd crank it up. It would at least give the exposition scenes some life.”
While most critics panned Ghost Rider, calling it schlocky, poorly written, and unsatisfying - ultimately failing to put together a cohesive story that delivered on both being an action and comic book film - there were those who appreciated it’s cheesy approach to the brooding superhero. Critics praised the special effects, largely done with CGI, and some seemed more understanding of what director Mark Steven Johnson was trying to deliver.
“For a movie made by a lifelong fan, it all seems a little impersonal at first, but soon it becomes clear Johnson has unapologetically set out to make a loud, living comic book, set in a world where lovers meet by a big oak tree and people say things like, “I’m going to go where the road takes me,” with a straight face. While the end product may not be to everyone’s taste, you can’t say that he hasn’t hit what he was aiming at.”
“2007's film adaptation of the Ghost Rider was a fun, over-the-top take on the books, and Nicolas Cage delivered exactly that type of performance. Was it cheesy? Sometimes. But it was just what was required from him.”
In the modern day, more than a decade after Ghost Rider released in theaters, more and more fans are reclaiming the movie. Time has given viewers a greater appreciation for the sheer ridiculousness of Nicolas Cage’s performance and the totally over-the-top cheesy dialogue. Despite some obvious problems in the writing and pacing of the movie and a villain that’s arguably one of Marvel’s least effective, Ghost Rider achieved what it set out to do, and if viewers are in the mood for some schlocky fun, it more than delivers. Plus, it was successful enough to spawn a sequel.