Ghost Rider?

[Quasqueton]

Surely someone has seen Ghost Rider prior to its release date. Any reviews? I couldn't find any by searching the Web, but I'd trust reviews from folks here more than those I'd find elsewhere, anyway.

Quasqueton

 

[Sir Brennen]

Ghost Rider is another movie following the recent trend of not having pre-screenings for reviewers... which usually indicates they suspect the reviews will be generally unfavorable.

 

[horacethegrey]

Well I'm seeing it this Saturday with my mates, but I've not come across any reviews whatsoever (except for the ones posted on Superherohype and Ain't it Cool News, and we know how reliable they are in judging a film ). But given Mark Steven Johnson's track record (did I mention loathe Daredevil?), I've not much faith in this flick being in the same league as Hellboy, Spider-man 2 or Batman Begins. Despite that, it'll be nice to see the Rider tearin' up the road onscreen.

 

[billd91]

Ghost Rider is another movie following the recent trend of not having pre-screenings for reviewers... which generally indicates they suspect the reviews will be generally unfavorable.

I can just see Roger Ebert wagging his finger at the camera for this one. Not submitting to early reviews is almost never a good sign.
The trailers look good. And the character is sufficiently Marvel B-list that the creative people involved might have had a lot of freedom to do something interesting with the him. But if they won't submit to the early reviews, I think the movie must surely be hosed.

 

[sniffles]

I can just see Roger Ebert wagging his finger at the camera for this one. Not submitting to early reviews is almost never a good sign.
The trailers look good. And the character is sufficiently Marvel B-list that the creative people involved might have had a lot of freedom to do something interesting with the him. But if they won't submit to the early reviews, I think the movie must surely be hosed.

"Almost" is the operative word here. I think there's an assumption that the studios avoid pre-screenings because they know their movies are bad. But I think more studios these days are starting to avoid pre-screenings because they don't want to lose the element of surprise.

I don't expect Ghost Rider to be as good as X-Men or Batman Begins, but it looks like it might be a fun romp. I read a review somewhere that actually seemed fairly unbiased and thoughtful. I wish I could remember where I read it. It basically said that the movie was pretty good, although they rushed the backstory of why Johnny Blaze would make a deal with the devil. Pretty much what I would have expected. These types of movies always give the character development short shrift.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

I've not seen any reviews, but I'm also predicting most everyone will hate it. These boards are haves for haters. I will be pleased if it is just eye candy.

 

[Glyfair]

Not submitting to early reviews is almost never a good sign.

The early word on this is mixed. No previews implies it's bad. The fact that it sat on the shelf for a 8 months before being released implies it's bad. However, Sony has launched a heavy advertising campaign, which shows they have some faith in it (and recouping some of the $120 million it cost).

My guess is that it's a bad movie, but one that might be enjoyable if you go in without high expectations.

 

[Mouseferatu]

(did I mention loathe Daredevil?)

So do most people who haven't seen the extended, director's cut.

Check it out if you can. It's orders of magnitude better than the theatrical release.

 

[John Crichton]

So do most people who haven't seen the extended, director's cut.

Check it out if you can. It's orders of magnitude better than the theatrical release.

I have been on a similar crusade before. The EE cut of DD was excellent and far superior to the theatrical release. Amazing what a cut to the love story and a focus on Matt's life can do to the film. Gotta love the editing room...

 

[Berandor]

The early word on this is mixed. No previews implies it's bad. The fact that it sat on the shelf for a 8 months before being released implies it's bad. However, Sony has launched a heavy advertising campaign, which shows they have some faith in it (and recouping some of the $120 million it cost).

They dump the movie early in the year, and the marketing campaign lets them hope for a good weekend (or maybe two) before sales drop off, so they can put a "#1 movie" sticker on the DVD and recoup there. It's got some nice visuals, it's got not a slew bad reviews (no screening), and so the ads can lure people in who want their first premature lick of summer movies.