RottenTomatoes.com has some new information about the upcoming Ghost Rider movie starring Nicolas Cage:
The movie, starring Nicolas Cage as the motorcycle-riding Johnny Blaze, a.k.a Ghost Rider, was originally scheduled for release this past summer. However, last June, the filmmakers realized: "We needed more time to make the movie we wanted to make," says Cage. That being the case, "Ghost Rider" was given a new release date: February 16th, 2007.Sure, because without the helicopter battle, audiences might have thought Ghost Rider was just another super hero. But now, with the helicopter battle scene in the movie, they'll know he's a super hero who battles helicopters.
Cage explains, "We had to change the date because we still had a lot of things we wanted to do. It was pushed for several reasons: one reason — and the most important reason — it wasn’t ready. And [director] Mark [Steven Johnson] had some big ideas for the character."
One of Johnson's ideas was to add an action sequence in which Ghost Rider battles a helicopter. The added scene would also provide more insight into Blaze's character.
IMO, it sounds as if "Ghost Rider" doesn't have any compelling character development. That usually happens when too much emphasis has been placed on action sequences or special effects. If this is true, the answer is anything but adding yet another action sequence. Character development, if it is to be successful, has to come from some common experience most people share. Disappointment, loss of a loved one, family challenges, etc. are examples of how characters are made more human. If the character is not 'grounded' in this way, everything they do for the rest of the film (or book, for that matter) is implausible, if not outright silly. How, might I ask, does having a ghost on a motorcycle batting a helicopter "provide more insight into Blaze's character"?
A motorcycle journey has been the basis of some of Hollywood's greatest films. There are many things I hate about the 60's and 70's, but I envy them getting to see "Easy Rider" while we have to pony up $12.00 to go see "Ghost Rider". I really wish Holllywood would take some time to find some real stories, rather than rehashing old TV series, movies, comic books or, worst of all, remaking great movies with contemporary actors who are nothing more than models, posing their way through a script (Kiera Knightly as Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennett, anyone?).
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