Ghost Rider (USA, 2007)
This was a fucking waste of time.
I’m all for superhero films and I don’t necessarily need them to be believable or take themselves too seriously. I like popcorn movies and I don’t always need substance. All I want, most of the time, is to be entertained. This was just tedious and, pardon the pun, lacked any soul whatsoever. So much so that I can’t even be bothered to go on about it.
It wasn’t all bad though. If you watch the first 30 seconds of the video after the jump then you’ll see my favourite bit of the whole film when the two (yes, two and I don’t care if I’ve spoiled it for you because watching this film will spoil 2 hours of your life) Ghost Riders race on down through the desert to Spiderbait’s version of the classic “Ghost Riders In The Sky”.
Peter Fonda was quite good though.
Ghost rider was the suck big time Tom! I was so disappointed, and what did they do to Nicholas Cage’s face? I think it’s CGI touch-up to make him look younger and less wrinkly I guess. His face looked botox-frozen most of the time. Yuck.
Having got that off my chest, some bits weren’t bad like you said the riding down the desert.
I love supernatural, superhero, magic movies I admit. Nothing deep, nothing to think about just entertainment and some easy time. I can even do some work watching one of those. I really enjoy the comic-turned-movie style flicks, well the worst I have seen had to be Punisher or Ghost Rider can’t decide which.
How’s your work and projects going?
Comment by gaye — October 26, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
He was wearing a hair piece to hid his receding hairline, I know that much. Other than that, I think he worked out a lot so was looking more gaunt than usual. He did irritate me all the way through it though.
The worst I’ve seen recently has to be Elektra - avoid. There is absolutely nothing to redeem it. Daredevil is a close second. Haven’t watched either of the Fantastic 4 movies yet though.
Work and projects are going okay - thanks for asking!
Comment by Tom — October 26, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
Gaye, depends on which version of the Punisher you saw. The very recent one with Thomas Jane in the title role is abysmal - although it’s still beaten hands-down by Elektra, as Tom says.
The 80s version with Dolph Lundgren playing Frank Castle is much more fun, and (if memory serves) far closer to the original plot/plan.
Tom, don’t forget the 90’s Spawn, which was truly awful. And The Rocketeer. which was worse.
But you’re right, both Elektra and Daredevil both sucked the balls of dead donkeys.
Comment by Lyle — October 28, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Ah Spawn, that WAS bad!
Ok maybe I forgot a few other bad comics-turned-movies. I will need to see the 80’s version then, Lyle, thanks.
Daredevil sucked but I am a fan of the Alias girl, the one married to the Daredevil sucked donkey balls lead actor, what’s his name (haha selective memory kicked in). Kudos to them though, making it work the marriage thing in Hollywood.
Ah yea Ben Affleck he is not a good actor and in every movie you can see this. Frozen expression even when he is ecstatic or angry mad.
Fantastic 4 is entertaining and The silver surfer guy is amazingly well done. CGI is molto bene as well..
Well, let me change the question then, which superhero movies did you guys actually liked?
Comment by gaye — October 29, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
I don’t really remember watching the 80’s Punisher although I have done. I actually didn’t mind the new Punisher so much for what it was. Spawn was terrible when considering the source material and how far it strayed from it (a vengeance demon with a body count of 1) but reasons it was better than Ghost Rider: John Leguizamo, Nicol Willamson, Martin Sheen and when all else fails, Melinda Clarke in leather. Actually, with the exception of it’s depiction of Hell, the CGI was better too. On the other hand, Ghost Rider = far better than Judge Dredd.
Superhero films I liked: Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever (trash but fun in a trash way and at least it’s not Batman & Robin), Batman Begins, Superman 1 + 2, X-men 1 + 2 (and maybe 3 in a nowhere near as good as the first 2 way but I need to see it again), Spiderman 1 + 2 (haven’t seen 3), Hulk (Yes, I am that person), Hellboy, Blade 1 + 2, The Crow, Constantine (despite the changes!) erm… not sure I can think of any others off the top of my head. And The Incredibles of course.
(Strictly speaking some of these may not be cape-wearing, super-powered superheroes but ask if I care! ;D )
Comment by Tom — October 29, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
Worryingly, my list pretty much matches Tom’s, to be honest…
Batman/Batman Returns
Batman Begins
XMen 1 & 2
Blade 1 & 2
Hellboy
The Crow
V for Vendetta (Yes, I’m that person)
300 - kindof
Alien vs Predator (in a “so so so bad, but still watchable” way)
Probably others, but they escape me for the moment.
Comment by Lyle — October 30, 2007 @ 8:36 am
Looking through this list of films based on comics I realise I’d forgotten one that out-bads even Elektra.
Catwoman.
Avoid at all costs.
Comment by Lyle — October 30, 2007 @ 8:42 am
V for Vendetta - forgot about that. I really enjoyed it. I’m obviously the other person.
I think I’d have to give Superman Returns another go as well. I don’t remember hating it but it didn’t blow me away. I just remember thinking that Superman has very little place in the 21st century (although can’t remember if I reviewed it here or not).
I avoided 300 (and similarly From Hell etc.) as they’re not Superheros, just films based on comics. That is a whole different kettle of fish because then we can mention From Hell, A History Of Violence, Ghost World etc.
Also, Swamp Thing - quite enjoyed the first one, don’t remember the second.
Comment by Tom — October 30, 2007 @ 10:11 am
Fair point re the superheroes thing. Although then does “Crow” count at all? I didn’t think he/it/they qualified on that score either…
Personally, I wasn’t impressed with Superman Returns - it seemed to be pretty much a rehash of the orginal Superman, and really wasn’t up to much. But maybe that’s just me.
Comment by Lyle — October 30, 2007 @ 11:19 am