The Fall Guy is based on the popular 1980s TV series, but instead of being another reimagining that should’ve been axed at the development stage, it’s an incredibly funny, action-packed, romantic summer movie. This film consistently wows thanks to its charismatic cast and a director who knows how to stage ridiculously fun action sensationally.
Ryan Gosling stars as Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman for action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). While performing a dangerous stunt, Colt gets injured, which costs him his career and his relationship with his girlfriend Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), who also works in the film industry.
Colt is given an opportunity to redeem himself when he’s asked to join a big-budget sci-fi production shooting in Sydney. He jumps at the chance, but Jody, who is making her directorial debut, wants Colt off the picture.
Things go from bad to worse for Colt when Tom mysteriously disappears, and Colt is sent on a mission to find him. He finds himself in a world of dangerous people threatening his life.
The movie is more of a love letter to stunt work than anything else. The opening credits showcase a series of Universal Pictures’ biggest blockbusters, ranging from the Fast & Furious movies to the Bourne series. While I certainly admire the level of risks stuntmen and women take for the sake of entertainment, the opening credits border on self-indulgence.
The same could be said for the constant use of KISS’s “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” which is incorporated into the movie’s score more than once.
We would expect the characters to make the setup work, and while that is occasionally the case, The Fall Guy has a lot of fun with its commentary about the film industry, and many of the jokes land well.
Gosling and Blunt have charming chemistry, and their relationship is developed to the point where we care about their predicaments. They’re one of the best duos on screen so far this year.
Director David Leitch knows how to stage the action sequences, as he is a former stuntman. While the action is cranked up to 11 during the obligatory overblown climax, most of the action is convincing due to so much practicality. When we see a car crashing, it’s not CGI, but rather a real car going up in the air and landing. Even the closing credits like to focus on how much of this stuff was done for real, and a great amount of appreciation needs to be delivered.
The Fall Guy is not reinventing the wheel with the action-comedy genre, but it does mark the summer’s first great movie.
Grade: A-
(Rated PG-13 for action and violence, drug content and some strong language.)
