The Fall Guy (2024)

Dir: David Leitch

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, Winston Duke

Championing the underappreciated Hollywood stunt performers, ‘The Fall Guy’ offers brainless popcorn fun despite the jokes not quite sticking the landing

Throughout cinematic history, their has always been a soft spot in audiences hearts for old school nostalgia. This has been evident in recent years following the success of 80’s set TV Show ‘Stranger Things’ and the countless subsequent big and small screen projects that have capitalised on this winning nostalgic formula. However, one trip down memory lane that often fails to appease modern cinemagoers is that of the TV to film reboot. Over the years we have seen some iconic 70’s and 80’s TV Shows such as; ‘Baywatch’, ‘Charlie’s Angels’, ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’, ‘Starsky & Hutch’ and ‘Fantasy Island’ to name just a few, with largely underwhelming results.

The latest adaptation of an old school throwback is ‘The Fall Guy’, which ran for five seasons up until 1986. The series followed Lee Majors‘ Hollywood stuntman, Colt Seavers, who utilised his physical prowess and stunt expertise to moonlight as a bounty hunter. Almost 40 years later, the show has been turned into a major Hollywood blockbuster by filmmaker David Leitch, who has close ties to the shamefully overlooked stunt department, having started his career doubling for the likes of Brad Pitt and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Leitch and fellow John Wick director Chad Stahelski have been huge advocates for Hollywood stunt performers, and their works in recent years have only highlighted the industries naivety when it comes to rewarding the shockingly underappreciated craft.

It is hard to believe that even now in 2024, after 96 iterations of the Academy Awards, there is still no Oscar handed out for stunt work. Without doubt the most dangerous of all the crafts on any production and vital to the success of countless films over the years that have relied heavily on stunts. One scene in ‘The Fall Guy’ lists the numerous Best Picture winners that would not have been as impactful if it was not for their stunt departments, including ‘Rocky’, ‘Dances with Wolves’ and ‘Titanic’. David Leitch has taken advantage of his latest project to take the unknown stunt performer from out of the shadows and place them in the spotlight and he will be hoping Hollywood pays attention and rectifies years of little to no recognition.

In this big screen adaptation, Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) abandons his stunt career after he is severely injured whilst doubling for famous action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). After an eighteen month hiatus, during which he has alienated himself from his camera operator girlfriend Jody (Emily Blunt), Colt is contacted by Tom’s film producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham) and offered to join production of Tom’s latest production, science fiction epic Metalstorm. Initially hesitant, Colt accepts the job upon hearing that it will be Jody’s directorial debut, as he wishes to rekindle their relationship.

Once he arrives on set in Sydney, Colt is informed by Gail that Tom is missing and that it is his duty as his double, to find him in order to save the film’s production. Not wanting Jody’s big break to be ruined, Colt begins to track down Tom, much to the annoyance of Jody who remains frosty due to Colt’s absence since his injury. After finding a body in a bathtub in Tom’s hotel room, Colt finds himself at the centre of a criminal investigation and mystery, all the while trying to save his relationship with Jody and complete production on Metalstorm.

It is quite a relief to know that films with this amount of energy and entertainment factor can still be made in the current cinematic era. As much as they are universally loved, most modern day blockbusters such as ‘Dune’, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ or anything Christopher Nolan churns out, are a lot of work these days. Due to their vast lore, emotionally heavy themes and lengthy runtimes, modern blockbusters can be quite emotionally and mentally draining. I for one, do not mind this in the slightest as I prefer to be challenged by movies, however, sometimes you need a bit of light to balance out the dark, and with the exception of ‘Barbie’, the number of old fashioned, popcorn flicks in recent years appears to be at an all time low. ‘The Fall Guy’, however, not only serves as a call back to the TV show which it originates but also an almost entirely bygone era of brainless Hollywood entertainment.

Despite the vast majority of the jokes not quite sticking the landing, this light-hearted caper keeps momentum thanks to the undeniable chemistry between its two leads. One of the highlights at the recent Academy Award ceremony was Gosling and Blunt’s promotional skit for ‘The Fall Guy‘, with both actors trying to one up each other as representatives from each side of the ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon. Gosling and Blunt have shown in the past that they are more than capable when it comes to comedic performances, and it is their natural talent and deadpan delivery that prevents the predictable and poorly written jokes from falling completely flat.

Regardless of some screenwriting issues and narrative blind spots, ‘The Fall Guy’ excels where it needs to, with its stunt work. If David Leitch purely set out to showcase the hard work and risk these performers put themselves through on a daily basis, then he can be proud of what he has achieved here. Covering a wide range of stunts from; boat jumps, a burning man, helicopter falls, a record breaking cannon roll and a world first 225-foot car jump, ‘The Fall Guy’ is a true testament to the art of stunt work.

It is not without its faults but ‘The Fall Guy’ offers a brainless, light-heartedly fun experience that is much needed at the moment and more importantly delivers a strong message to Hollywood and AMPAS that stunt performers need to praised with the recognition they deserve.

The Fall Guy is now showing in UK Cinemas

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