Cage plays Yuri Orlov, an amoral Ukrainian-born immigrant who enjoys the game and the money, defending himself by saying he is not responsible for how the weapons are used. He's a likable, non-violent person who sells to cold-blooded killers who recognize the resemblance he fails to see. He's kind of like Ray Liotta's Henry Hill in Goodfellas, except that Hill is more honest about his motives and means.

His quick wits allow him to escape being caught as he strips a Soviet helicopter of missiles as inspectors approach so the missiles and choppers can be presented as separate legal exports. Braced by an armed fighter over Africa operating on behalf of Interpol, he sets a massive cargo aircraft down on a dirt road and the locals are invited to take all the weapons free, which they do in ten minutes as he waits for inspectors led by Ethan Hawke to arrive. When a ship sought by inspectors is intercepted on the high seas, a man with a paintbrush changes the name of the ship before the inspectors can get close enough and a phone call registers the ship.

Yuri continues to rake in money as he flies on from deal to deal, playing the game. Thirsting for an island of normalcy, and recognizing the repugnance of his trade, Yuri marries a beauty queen (Bridget Moynahan) and keeps her in the dark. She's not Henry Hill's mob wife. When she finds out, he quits but finds himself unable to adjust to selling timber. He uses the same skills but it doesn't offer the same money or the excitement of the arms trade.

Very good movie, worth viewing, a keeper.

Rated: “PG”

Trust Your Instincts with “Ghost Rider”

If you think you are likely to be offended by people selling their soul to the devil, etc. then don't go see this film. If you just want a couple hours entertainment it's worth the money. Their really isn't anything in this film that you can't live with out. There are only two great lines, “He may own my soul but he doesn't have my Spirit,” and “You can't live in fear.”

The thing is, the plot of a genre movie should come from the genre. Sometimes it works to have romance set against the backdrop of well known events but the best fiction is always that which could only happen in that place at that time. You couldn't really move the plot of “Saving Private Ryan” to the French revolution, or “Les Miserable” to LA circa 1985.

Then again some genres are particularly elastic and have become known for breaking the above rule. Spaghetti Westerns and Space Operas have barrowed their plots from everyone from Shakespeare to Samurai.

All that being said so many movies these days result from just enough research to figure out some bad guy names, but the plot isn't really driven by the scenario. The movie never adequately describes why this particular contract would be so beneficial to the enemy or why a ghost rider is needed to reap souls that should be in hell.

This movie has great special effects and a cool style to it but there is nothing plot-wise to set it apart. The son of Satan strikes out on his own and super-natural humans try to stop it. Wasn't that the plot of “Constantine?” Worst of all there isn't really any legend of Satan having a son, beyond Hollywood's fascination with the idea. Conversly the name legion does have legend to it but it needed to have ground work laid, and mean something to the plot so it actually detracted for me. That's what I mean when I say only enough research for a backdrop.

I'm not against using Satan as the ultimate source of evil in a story but there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. An example of the right way is, “Hell boy.” The idea of a creature created for evil but redeemed by love, having to conquer the evil side of his nature and live from the good. That's the kind of plot we want. Examples of wrong ways to use Satan as a bad guy would be Constantine, Spawn, and Ghost Rider.

About Comic Book Adaptations

In this day and age when Hollywood is afraid to do anything original, by and large comic books have saved the day. For the most part comic books are more creative and take more chances. They also tend to deal with larger story issues since that's what is on the heart of young readers. Teen boys want to read about the conflict between good and evil. Where do you draw the line between being unique and being a freak? Do you hide what is different about you or celebrate it? When is it ok to exert power? What is the cost of heroism? That's the kinds of issues comic books have tapped into and Hollywood forgot about.

Then there are exceptions. Marvel Comic did Ghost Rider and it's whitty, but it doesn't tap into these large themes very well.

Larger Story

The only larger story theme I find in Ghost Rider is you can't live in fear. I actually don't like the idea that he kept the curse so he could turn it against Mephistopheles. Anyone who would stay cursed and give up the love of his life in order fight evil is dumb.

All and all though it's not that Satanic though.