[FILM REVIEW] THE FALL GUY Review (2024)
Summary: A down-and-out stuntman must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s blockbuster film.
Year: 2024
Cinema Release Dates: 24th April 2024 (Australia), 25th April 2024 (Thailand), 2nd May 2024 (UK), 3rd May 2024 (USA)
VOD Release Dates: TBA
Country: USA
Director: David Leitch
Screenwriter: Drew Pearce
Cast: Emily Blunt (Jody Moreno), Marky Lee Campbell (Hymes), Kalkidan China (Metalstorm Writer – Darla), David Collins (Metalstorm Sound Mixer – Ray), Winston Duke (Dan Tucker), Adam Dunn (Nigel), Semu Filipo (Mike Mike), Ben Gerrard (Kevin), Gregory J. Fryer (Rush McCabe), Ryan Gosling (Colt Seavers), Stephanie Hsu (Alma Milan), Ben Knight (Dressler), Chris Matheson (Rondell), Matuse (Doone), Zara Michales (Venti Kushner), Andrew Owen (Armstrong), Teresa Palmer (Iggy Starr), Dan Reardon (Fry), Ione Saula (Birdie The PA), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Tom Ryder), Heather Thomas (Jody Banks), Hannah Waddingham (Gail Meyer)
Running Time: 126 minutes
Classification: M (Australia), 15 (Thailand), 12-A (UK), PG-13 (USA)
OUR THE FALL GUY REVIEWS
David Griffiths’s The Fall Guy Review
Get ready for one of the most surprising but fun joyrides of 2024. While many cinema fans out there might be a little worried about the action-comedy tag linked to the brand new film The Fall Guy, there is absolutely nothing to be worried about here because The Fall Guy is not just a great action-comedy it is an excellent film all round and deserves to be one of the blockbuster successes of this year.
Directed by David Leitch (Bullet Train) at its core The Fall Guy is the romantic story of production assistant turned director Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt – Edge Of Tomorrow) and stuntman Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling – La La land).
The pair are the perfect couple – they click on every level and love spending time together, but then while working on the latest action blockbuster starring Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson – Kick-Ass) Colt has a severe accident that results in him hurting his back. Rather than letting Jody take care of him Colt bolts deciding that she is better off without him.
Flashforward a year and Colt is working as a valet while Jody has been given the chance to prove herself as a director on Ryder’s latest blockbuster. Out of the blue and without warning Jody the film’s producer, Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham – Les Miserables), contacts Colt and tells him that Jody wants him to come and work on the film – which is being filmed in Sydney Australia.
Without hesitation Colt jumps on a plane and arrives on set where he learns that first of all Jody has no idea that he was coming and that Gail has an ulterior motive – rather than just work on the film she wants him to go and find Ryder whom she believes has fallen in with a criminal crowd that has put his life in danger.
What makes The Fall Guy such an exceptional film is that while it dabbles in a lot of different genres it never leaves any of them hanging or underused. Firstly the romance aspect of the film works – Colt and Jody are a likeable couple and you want to see them back together by the end of the film.
Then there is the comedy side to the film, which once again thanks to a brilliant screenplay by Drew Pearce (Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation) nails every single comedic moment that it attempts without ever getting in the way of the story at hand. That screenplay certainly deserves a mention because the film it so well written that it manages to keep the audience on the edge of their seat while also providing such genuine twists and turns that nobody will see coming.
To top that all off there is then the action sequences of the film. And yes while the film has some direct nods to franchises like Mission: Impossible, The Fast And The Furious, Dune and Mad Max to name a few it also have enough originality to more than impress even the most hardened action fans. To say this is a film that some will instantly fall in love with is an understatement.
Perhaps even more important is the fact that the action sequences of this film, if not the film itself, should be considered a tribute to stuntpeople both past and present. While many may not want to admit it stuntwork is an art form in itself, an artistic endeavour that has cost some people their lives over the years. While we have to wait and see whether there will finally be a recognition of stunt work in The Academy Awards over the next few years this film certainly gives those brave performers some much deserved recognition especially with the brilliant behind the scenes montage during the final credits.
Of course there are other things that make this film something special as well – there is the stunning soundtrack and the sensational use of songs within the screenplay itself – especially the placement of Against All Odds by Phil Collins and All Too Well by Taylor Swift. These songs aren’t just used in the film they are written into the film with some beautiful writing of the screenplay.
Then there are also the amazing acting performances. Ryan Gosling was born to play Colt and he brings the likable character to the screen in a way that very few actors would be able to. Alongside him is Emily Blunt who is as equally brilliant and seems to throw her heart and soul into this performance… all while having a lot of fun. And while both are stunning in their roles they are also both nearly overshadowed by one very, very cute stunt-dog who steals every scene he is in.
The Fall Guy is one truly amazing film. It just goes to show that a popcorn movie can have a touch of brilliance while still entertaining the audience. And just a tip if you’re going to see the film one of its funniest moments is in the end credits and comes in the form of a truly surprising yet hilarious cameo so make sure you stick around, but to be honest you’ll probably be glued to your seat anyway as The Fall Guy is an unrelenting ride of action, romance and thrills that certainly will not disappoint.
David’s rating Out Of 5
Alex First’s The Fall Guy Review
Action aplenty, hairy scenes and hijinks abound in the romantic comedic drama The Fall Guy.
Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) loves his job and his life. He is a big movie stunt man and body double for arrogant action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson).
More than that, Seavers is head over heels for camera operator Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), who aspires to be a director … and she for him.
As he says, he is working with his dream girl on a dream job.
And, of course, they love the moments they steal away together.
But Ryder doesn’t like to see Seavers hog the limelight and so that can and does involve reshooting scenes.
Ryder’s indulgences are countenanced by producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham), who recognises there is big money to be made.
And then, on one such re-shoot, all goes horribly wrong. A free fall ends tragically, with Seavers breaking his back.
That puts him in a dark place, which sees him push Moreno away, even though she wants to be there for him.
Eighteen months on, in a dead-end job parking cars for a living, he receives an unexpected call from Meyer.
She tells him that Moreno is making her first movie – an alien fantasy – and wants Seavers back on set – this time in Sydney.
For anyone else, Seavers would say “no”, but this isn’t anyone else.
In fact, Meyer lied to Seavers about Moreno’s wishes. The latter had no idea Meyer was calling Seavers.
Truth be told, Tom Ryder has gotten in with a rough crowd and gone missing and Meyer is anxious to track him down before the movie goes belly up.
That becomes Seavers’ job, alongside shooting stunt scenes and winning back Moreno’s broken trust … and heart.
This time, instead of shooting blanks the bad guys mean business.
At the helm of The Fall Guy is former real life stuntman David Leitch (Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw).
The script is from Hobbs & Shaw screenwriter Drew Pearce, based on the television series of the same name (1981-’86), which starred Lee Majors as Colt Seavers.
The key to the movie is orchestrated mayhem. Explosions, car chases and roll overs are par for the course and it all looks mighty impressive.
Overlaying it is good natured nonsense … and a tribute to the unsung heroes of Hollywood, the stunt performers.
There is no shortage of in jokes by way of references to other movies and some of the stunts in this stunt-laden movie are truly spectacular.
Individually and collectively, Gosling and Blunt are perfectly cast. There is an easygoing and natural chemistry between the pair.
Let’s call it as it is, they are both mighty fine and likeable actors.
They click from their first scene together and even manage to pull off a series of cheesy one liners that liberally populate the film.
The Fall Guy is in the realm of pure escapism and farce … lightweight entertainment that you can just allow to wash over you, but enjoy at the same time.
Hannah Waddingham is a regular presence as the pushy producer hiding a dark secret. Her deliberately ingratiating performance serves to irritate, just as it is meant to.
And Aaron Taylor-Johnson well captures the petulance of the action hero who thinks far too much of himself.
Shot on home soil, which should go down a treat with local audiences (Sydney looks great), The Fall Guy is loads of fun.
The filmmakers have thrown the kitchen sink at it with big name stars at the helm and it works. And don’t leave before the final credits because the behind-the-scenes footage of the stunts is well worth seeing.
Average Subculture rating Out Of 5
Other The Fall Guy Reviews
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