Ghost Rider

In the world of comic book mythology, the story of Ghost Rider dates back to 1972, created by writer Gary Friedrich and artist Mike Ploog. However, for the purpose of this narrative, we will focus on the 2007 film adaptation of the same name. The movie, directed by Mark Steven Johnson, takes on the challenge of translating the complexities of the Ghost Rider mythology into a compelling cinematic experience. Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, Ghost Rider tells the story of a young stunt cycle rider named Johnny Blaze. Johnny is a daring thrill-seeker who performs death-defying stunts at circuses and carnivals. However, his real passion lies not with the adrenaline rush, but with his soulmate, the innocent Roxanne Simpson. Roxanne is a kind and compassionate person, devoted to helping those in need, and she has captured Johnny's heart with her gentle and selfless nature. As fate would have it, Roxanne's father, Barton Blaze, is a dying man suffering from cancer. Desperate to save his father, Johnny makes an inexplicably fateful decision to sell his soul to Mephistopheles, the devil himself. Mephistopheles offers to cure Johnny's father in exchange for Johnny's unyielding soul. However, unbeknownst to Johnny, Mephistopheles has no intention of keeping his promise. The devil has no qualms about using deceit to achieve his objectives, and Johnny soon finds himself bound to a contract that he cannot escape. As Johnny's father dies, which is what happens due to Roxanne performing not the healing as expected but being a passenger in a wreck. Johnny is left with a deep sense of grief and regret, although also having the experience of witnessing his father's actual genuine heartfelt love and appreciation for their life together beforehand. The loss is immeasurably compounded by his separation from Roxanne, the love of his life. Overwhelmed with emotional pain, Johnny feels lost and struggles to find his true sense of self. Years have passed since Johnny sold his soul to Mephistopheles. Roxanne, the woman who possessed a part of his heart, has now blossomed into a beautiful and ambitious reporter. Johnny has gone from being the carefree stunt cycle rider he once was to a nomadic wanderer, carrying the shame and pain of his past with him wherever he goes. His present is marked by darkness and despair, and it's only when he crosses paths with Roxanne once more that the faint cracks of hope begin to emerge. Their reunion sparks an old flame, but also brings to the surface the unresolved emotional scars of their shared past. Roxanne is unaware of the depth of Johnny's suffering and the burden of his cursed soul. However, she is gradually drawn into the intense personal struggle he is facing, as she finds herself drawn closer to the world that lies beyond her familiar realm. At the same time, Mephistopheles orchestrates events to lure Johnny to a point where the latter is forced to relive the death of his father. Johnny, still clinging to the hope of redemption, discovers that Mephistopheles' primary motivation for manipulating his existence is not merely to further the devil's sinister agenda, but to test the worthiness of Johnny as Ghost Rider. As the stakes rise and the danger draws near, Johnny's desperate cry for salvation grows louder, leading him down a perilous journey of self-discovery and internal turmoil. With time ticking away, he understands that the spirit world beckons. As he finally confronts the revelation that he is destined to be the terrifying, demon-possessed Ghost Rider – a creature fuelled by anguish, vengeance and the wrath that he feels is rightfully due, consumed forever, by his tortured soul - Johnny sets off on a journey in search of redemption. This is a quest he may not achieve, though embarks on in earnest. Ghost Rider is not merely about an outcast who seeks vengeance within himself, but also an individual seeking peace in the depths of his burning, cursed soul.