The Fall Guy

The Fall Guy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt is now streaming on Peacock. Based off the action tv show from the 80s starring Lee Majors and Heather Thomas, this action-packed comedy directed by David Leitch is a wonderful love letter to all stuntmen and stuntwomen in the industry.

This was a really fun movie to watch, and I wish I got to see it in theaters. The visual effects and stunt coordination were out of this world, Gosling and Blunt's performances were brilliant, and the writing of the film made this the perfect summer blockbuster. What they did more than anything else was give a voice to all the stuntmen and stuntwomen who are underappreciated and undervalued in the industry. We see this almost immediately when Colt (Gosling) suffers a near deadly injury and the next thing he knows, he has been easily replaced and is now working valet. This movie also sheds more light on something that we already knew a little bit about which is that being a stunt person is extremely dangerous. Because of this movie, whenever I see an action film moving forward, I am going to be paying closer attention to the action sequences to appreciate the stunt work.

The original theatrical version along with the extended directors cut are both streaming on Peacock. I recommend checking out the director's cut as it features bonus content.

It's a shame that this movie was a flop in the box office. FALL GUY is definitely not a very good movie, it's totally forgettable, it should be funnier and it feels kinda flat and naive. However, movies like this is a breath of fresh air nowadays. Why? Because FALL GUY wants to entertain you, not to lecture you neither to tell you how to behave and feel, like most of trash Holywood movies of these years. This is PURE ENTERTAINMENT like a movie of this genre suppose to be. Simultaneously, this is a love letter to action and comedy-romance movies of 00's time era. FALL GUY is so 00's it hurts. Of course there are references from other decades, like the 90's and the 80's but above all, this is 00's.

So, if you miss 00's movies, you know, kinda naive, fun, shallow and entertaining, you are gonna love this. Gosling/Blunt are a likeable couple, viewer roots for them, not the greatest chemistry of the world, great action scenes though, good pace, never boring. I laughed a few times but it was definitely not hilarious, still a fun ride and i enjoyed every second of it. Maybe it started a bit slow but it's getting better.

The Fall Guy acts best as a glorious ode to the art of stunt work. Perhaps never before have a film been focused so much on the unseen heroes behind many great films - the stunt doubles delivering shockingly realistic portrayals of the action. And in that respect The Fall Guys succeeds- it's action sequences are delivered flawlessly, and are breathtaking to behold. They climax to a crescendo at the ending, where a several vehicles crash, flip and explode, all in sync with action involving a helicopter in the sky with our main character. Praise should also be given to the films two charismatic leads. Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling share palpable chemistry and are simply endearing to behold. They are affable, amiable, and funny. But ultimately my problem with this film is that it is unevenly paced, lacks enough humour, and has too thin a plot to retain an audiences full attention. The films firstly takes too long to get its plot started, resulting in a laborious introduction, a sped through mid section, and a bombastic but slightly rushed ending. The film also does not exert its full potential of comedy. The film does not make use of action comedy(as best exemplified by the Jackie Chan films) or a particularly witty script. Indeed the script is rather dull, sometimes trite, and altogether not very sharp or exciting. Then there is the films plot. I can comment not much other than that it is the recyclable convoluted B-grade plots which are common in movies. It is predictable, ludicrous, and quite inexcusable. So at the end of the day, The Fall Guys is a good comedy that acts as a wonderful tribute to the art of stunt work, bolstered by strong, effervescent performances between its two leads. But for movie watchers who do not care much for the films impressive stunts, The Fall Guys will prove to be a rather empty watch. Serviceable, but unexceptional.

Like with "Top Gun: Maverick", some witchcraftery was undoubtedly used to shift a thin, generic story into considerably more poignant, refreshing, even warranted territory.

I loved "The Fall Guy" for what it is! A fun, feel-good blockbuster that knows exactly what it wants to accomplish...and does so in tremendous style that feels as peak Hollywood as a movie can get.

Also, it's a much-needed and endearing homage to stunt performers and the tremendous(ly overlooked) value they bring.

The movie doesn't miss a beat, it looks gorgeous (the production value is top notch), Gosling's as charming as ever, and the ending felt so deserved and satisfactory that it left me with a huge grin.

What more could I possibly ask for 😁

The Fall Guy is a movie about making a movie. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays an action star who's stuntman is played by Ryan Gosling... who has a real stuntman doing his stunts. The Fall Guy is filled with this type of third-degree meta-ness. I found it amusing.

The intro to the early screening called it a love letter to stuntmen. This is an accurate statement. Everyone who loves movies, action fans specifically, owe so much of their enjoyment to stuntmen. The movie showcases so many beautiful stunts. It truly is a celebration of that profession.

This is also heavily a love story. I normally don't go for that, but this one hit me in all the right ways. I felt all of the emotions they wanted me to feel.

I think most people will enjoy The Fall Guy. But the ones who will love it the most are people who are fascinated by the artistry of in-camera action, or fans of romantic comedies. Also, we need an Oscar for stunt work asap.

(1 viewing, early screening EMX 5/1/2024)