The Extended Edition

[Moviefan2k4]

As a movie, Ghost Rider is entertaining, but the same thing gets to me about the EE as in the theatrical: the depictions of both the devil and God. The devil is depicted as evil (true enough), but they omit the aspect that he often appears as an "angel of light". He didn't seem tricky enough; too honest to be the devil.

As for the film's depiction of God, two scenes stick with me, and both involve the Caretaker. The first is the notion of "selling your soul for good puts God on your side; selling it for love gives you power to change the world". Personally, I don't believe that's true; we all have a chance to choose which side we will turn to, and once that choice is made, the only way we get out of it is to actively turn away from evil first. The omission of that tends to warp both that sentiment and the next one. It's right after the joint ride to San Venganza, where Caretaker says, "I made a bad choice, and I've spent years trying to fix it. All I can do is hope God will give me a second chance." Well, I believe that God will give chances, but only if you are truly repentant for what you've done; otherwise, the hope is meaningless. I know some folks will say, "It's just a movie; let it go", but as for me, something in my spirit just worries for impressionable people, who may believe God really works as depicted in the film. As a piece of cinematic entertainment, I give the EE an 8/10. On the whole, its gets a 5 in my book, because of the (backwards) spiritual connotations.

 

[crazy sock]

It's just a movie; let it go

 

[crazy sock]

HAHA im sorry, i couldnt help it.

but seriously who cares. religion, all of em, are just yer opinion n crap. maybe how God was depicted in the movie is how God is seen in some religion.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

what was actually extended in this movie? i bought it and watched it last night, and nothing stood out as something i havent seen ?

 

[Moviefan2k4]

I think the lighter gag during Johnny's interrogation was an added moment. Also, it seemed like the GR / Wallow fight was somewhat extended, and I think the finale was too. Didn't Roxanne only shoot Blackheart once before the gun went out of ammo? In the EE, she gets 3 shots off.

 

[webhead731]

No, the Roxanne Conner thing wasn't extended lol. There were a couple shots in the final battle that were added, not much. It was darker though.

The Wallow fight was extended, yeah. Even when Johnny was driving in the water and the water bubbled. I still wish Ghost Rider didn't do the stupid "suprise!" though.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

Several scenes were added.

I watched it last night as well and could easily tell which scenes were added, or were alternate scenes.

1) Most of the forensic scenes with Roxanne and the Police.

"Sulfur"... "Ever read the Old Testament".... "Brimstone"

2) Johnny Blaze tosses his helmet to the Kid after making the Field Goal Jump

3) Blackheart beats the crap out of Caretaker searching for the contract

4) Alternate scene with Blackheart and Mephisto, meeting outside of the bar instead of the street

5) Some beginnning scenes seemed to be added, such as Barton Blaze giving "Grace" to Johnny

I'm sure there were plenty of other ones that were included as well, but those are some off the top of my head.

ahh ok, i only saw the movie in theaters once, so didn't remember some parts, do didnt know if they were new or not

 

[crazy sock]

2) Johnny Blaze tosses his helmet to the Kid after making the Field Goal Jump

haha. i remember seeing a clip of that somewhere on here. it looked like the helmet hit the kid in the fayce.

 

[Riding Ghost]

I still say that peter fonda was excellent. Donald L. was very good as well. After listening to the commentaries i definately understand more what the had in mind while making it. The whole mass appeal thing. I understand, but still think some of the cheese coulda been left out. Still liked it though.

I found the commentaries very interesting, my 1st time really listening to one because its the only movie I really cared enough about to listen. It was interesting to hear that the studio(sony) actually got involved in really minute aspects of the film. Like making a big deal about wes bentleys chest hair and mephistos jacket

 

[Mr. Socko]

Dang, I may have to buy this because I want to see the special features and the extended cut.


Can't rent it, can ya?

 

[Vartha]

I would say why not but I'm not sure.

 

[Edenbeast]

Pictures of the DVD, Packaging, Discs.

http://www.internapse.com/gallery/v/ghostrider/merchandise/dvd/extendededition/

What's that Circuit City 3 Disc Package ?!

 

[Reaper]

As a movie, Ghost Rider is entertaining, but the same thing gets to me about the EE as in the theatrical: the depictions of both the devil and God. The devil is depicted as evil (true enough), but they omit the aspect that he often appears as an "angel of light". He didn't seem tricky enough; too honest to be the devil.

As for the film's depiction of God, two scenes stick with me, and both involve the Caretaker. The first is the notion of "selling your soul for good puts God on your side; selling it for love gives you power to change the world". Personally, I don't believe that's true; we all have a chance to choose which side we will turn to, and once that choice is made, the only way we get out of it is to actively turn away from evil first. The omission of that tends to warp both that sentiment and the next one. It's right after the joint ride to San Venganza, where Caretaker says, "I made a bad choice, and I've spent years trying to fix it. All I can do is hope God will give me a second chance." Well, I believe that God will give chances, but only if you are truly repentant for what you've done; otherwise, the hope is meaningless. I know some folks will say, "It's just a movie; let it go", but as for me, something in my spirit just worries for impressionable people, who may believe God really works as depicted in the film. As a piece of cinematic entertainment, I give the EE an 8/10. On the whole, its gets a 5 in my book, because of the (backwards) spiritual connotations.

Interesting point.
I'm just glad they weren't too scared to just acknowledge the fact that there actually is a God, much less say the word. Nevermind doctrine

In fact, I've heard that a lot of professional critics are more harsh on this movie for the fact that the movie had the audacity to infer that there might be a god in the context of the storyline.(not that they would ever admit that as a reason)
And I find that very easy to believe, myself

I have a athiest friend who actually did point that out to me as one of his problems w/the movie. I just told him to ****.....but still, you see what I'm sayin.

 

[Mr. Socko]

I went to wal-mart today and there wasn't a single copy of the extended edition in the entire store. They were completely sold out

 

[webhead731]

Sorry to hear that.

 

[Vartha]

I went to wal-mart today and there wasn't a single copy of the extended edition in the entire store. They were completely sold out

Sorry to hear that Socko.

 

[Mr. Socko]

I'm gonna check another store tomorrow. But I guess this means its doing pretty good on DVD.

Anyone know the exact numbers?

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

I have to say after watching the extended edition and the theatrical edition the best out of the 2, is the Theatrical Edition.

The theatrical is paced better and it doesnt drag out.

The best part of the Extended edition is the Sin and Salvation, 40 years of Ghost Rider documentary. It has interviews with writers, artsits, and great trivia for the Ghost Rider fan.

 

[R_3]

Dang, I may have to buy this because I want to see the special features and the extended cut.


Can't rent it, can ya?

I rented ithe extended version last night from Blockbuster. I'm surprised they had it available for rent as opposed to the theatrical single disc package.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

Did any of you notice that the color and brightness is different in the Extended edition vs the Theatrical?

The theatrical looks better IMO.

 

[webhead731]

Yeah, Extended is darker...just like Ghost Rider should be.

I think they could of darkened it a bit more though.

 

[Mr Nick]

I just got the Extended Cut on Blu Ray.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed all the lengthened, added scenes. The Barton/Johnny scene, Mephisto confronting Blackheart outside the bar, and the Caretaker/Blackheart scene all added something. The latter explaining why Blackheart could set foot on holy ground. They raised the movie's IQ by a couple of points, albeit not as dramatically as the Daredevil DC ones.

At the cinema, I never noticed the skulls in the clouds when Blackheart first appears, and the flashes of Blackheart and Mephisto's demon forms felt more satisfying on the TV. That darned swamp still looked as shoddy as Plan 9's graveyard though.

I was very disappointed with the Spirit of Execution documentary. I didn't want to be a fly on the wall through three or four FX meetings. I wanted to be told about how the wizards brought Ghost Rider to life and shown the evolution of their work from start to end. It just felt cheap or rushed. Considering how bloody hard we know realising this character was, that's shoddy, not just for the viewer, but the Imageworks Team too.

After listening to the commentary, I didn't wind up hating MSJ or feeling like he duped us in any way. I still think he's a talented and cool guy with a genuine love for comics. However, I didn't like hearing him utter words like 'cheesy' and 'goofy' with fondness. I think he did a good job piecing a cohesive Ghost Rider story together from elements from the comics, but when it comes to the tone his take is too light. If I could give him one piece of feedback for any sequel it'd be this: darker and more serious, please. 50% of GR's dialogue was good. 50% was awful. Ghost Rider is not a wisecracker, he's an ass-kicker.

He was right about the lighting though: GR has some of the most real-looking 'night' photography I've seen in a Hollywood film.

He also mentioned that the first transformation had been edited for European viewers, so can any of you guys in the US describe what's on your DVD? When the camera starts to orbit, we get smoking and blistering, but there are about four curtains of flame that shoot up and mask cuts. The last is a real jump, from agonised burning face to lolling skull.

P.S. Sorry for posting this in the 'GR hits DVD' thread too. Only saw this one after the fact. D'oh!

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

Yeah, Extended is darker...just like Ghost Rider should be.

I think they could of darkened it a bit more though.

Actually, my extended cut DVD is lighter than the original theatrical.

 

[webhead731]

Hmm, maybe it's your TV's color adjustment?

 

[webhead731]

He also mentioned that the first transformation had been edited for European viewers, so can any of you guys in the US describe what's on your DVD? When the camera starts to orbit, we get smoking and blistering, but there are about four curtains of flame that shoot up and mask cuts. The last is a real jump, from agonised burning face to lolling skull.

I think you guys missed one shot. He said he liked it but had to cut it.

Here it is.