THE FALL GUY (2024) – My rating: 8.5/10

“The Fall Guy” is an action comedy directed by David Leitch and written by Drew Pearce, loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same title. The plot follows a stuntman working on his ex-girlfriend’s directorial debut action film, only to find himself involved in a conspiracy surrounding the film’s lead actor. I have always enjoyed the Fall Guy TV series so it didn’t take much convincing to see the movie. I didn’t know what to expect since it was deemed a comedy, however, “The Fall Guy” is thoroughly entertaining.

Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), a Hollywood stunt performer, works as the stunt double for famous action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). However, he is severely injured during a stunt gone wrong and he abandons his career and his girlfriend Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), a camerawoman.

Eighteen months later, Colt, now a valet for a small Mexican restaurant, is contacted by Gail Meyer Hannah Waddingham, Tom’s film producer. She tells him that Jody is directing her first film, a science fiction epic titled Metalstorm, and wants Colt to join the production in Sydney. After arriving on set, Colt learns that Jody never asked for him and is still angry about their breakup, with the movie being a less-than-subtle attempt at airing her grievances at Colt.

The handsome “Ryan Gosling’s captivating presence draws you into the film. The action sequences, along with the intriguing plot, kept me engaged. The stunts were remarkable, providing insight into the demanding world of stunt work. I learned that the Academy plans to recognize stunt performers with a new category. Emily Blunt’s chemistry with Ryan was perfect, and Hannah Waddingham’s charismatic performance and effervescent personality nearly stole the show. The plot takes unexpected twists and turns, adding excitement and suspense. The breathtaking car chase through Sydney and the thrilling helicopter scene make “The Fall Guy” a must-see. It is currently playing in theaters — Check It Out!

FYI:
The “Fall Guy” also set a Guinness World Record for the most cannon rolls performed in a car, with eight and a half rolls performed by stunt driver Logan Holladay. Cannon rolls are performed by firing a cannon-like device into the ground from a moving vehicle.

Additionally, Lee Majors and Heather Thomas, who starred as Colt and Jody respectively in the original television series, have cameo appearances in the film as prop crew members dressed as police officers in a mid-credit scene, while Jason Momoa appears as himself (uncredited).

The Hollywood Reporter reported that the film had a production budget of $130 million. Deadline Hollywood also stated its $130 million production cost after Australian tax credits, though added that “some have heard the production cost was even higher at $150 [million]”.

As of May 19, 2024, The Fall Guy has grossed $62.9 million in the United States and Canada and $64.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $127.4 million.

The Fall Guy received generally positive reviews after its SXSW premiere. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 82% of 319 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website’s consensus reads: “With action, comedy, romance, and a pair of marvelously matched stars, The Fall Guy might be the rare mainstream movie with something to entertain everyone.”