ONCE intended as a feature for Johnny Depp, the long-awaited Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider has finally ridden into town.

In Depp's place is Nicolas Cage, who stars as motorcyclist and stunt rider Johnny Blaze.

As a teenager, Blaze strikes a bargain with the devil to save his father who is dying from cancer and in turn is transformed into Ghost Rider.

Working as the devil's bounty hunter he is sent to fight against other rival bad guys of the underworld, including the Devil's son.

Though perhaps a bit too old for the role, Cage brings a degree of class to some of the more cheesy aspects of the film.

The transformation from biker into leather-clad anti-hero is great and the special effects of the motorcycle and Cage's head into a burning skull are very convincing.

However, even with the relentless barrage of CGI effects it can't hide the fact that the story itself starts to drag toward the end and becomes a bit boring.