Movie Reviews: Ghost Rider


The Rider Who Was Too Materialistic






Johnny Blaze (HK Lim) had it all: a happy family, a good career, a nice girl friend, but he was one who was never contented with what he has. On the under side of the world (literally, hell) satan was looking for a new bounty hunter to capture two of his most notorious souls, Casper 1 and 2 (played by newcomers Tarzan and Sandals) who had escaped into the human world with satan's private motorbikes.

Using Johnny's weak spot for materialistic wants, satan then manifested before him and offered him the latest Daytona Motorcyle. Of course, the catch would be that he sell his soul to satan himself and becomes his bounty hunter. And so, Johnny agreed, blinded by the beautiful red motorcycle, but he soon regrets his decision. He now rides between the living and the dead, fire burning on his hair, being satan's personal slave. Things take a worse turn when Casper 1 and 2 starts coming after his life, before he gets to theirs first.
Mature actor HK plays Blaze's role to perfection, and word has it that he was on a strict no-meat cabbage diet for 2 months in preparation for the movie shootings, just so he could sit and ride in the naturally petite-sized Daytona Motorcycle. Worthy mention goes to new faces Tarzan and Sandals for equally competent portrayals as the villains. Tarzan also sheds his clothes in his debut performance 'Ghost Rider', for a scene where his character, Casper
1 rode through a hurricane which blew his clothes away.

Fans of SFX and CGI would be happy to hear that the fire ablaze on HK's head in the show look 'so real you would be tempted to roast marshmellows in it', in the words of the director.

Ghost Rider is now showing in all theatres, rated R-21 (some frightening scenes and nudity).