Carl Roberts 
“A brilliant tribute to the stunt profession, and a great movie to boot, The Fall Guy is perfect Summer Blockbuster entertainment.”
Almost every movie and TV show we see these days and in the past feature outstanding stunts. These stunt performers are the unsung heroes that give what we see an added exciting edge. Names such as Yakima Canutt, Terry Leonard, Hal Needham, Rocky Taylor, Martin Grace, and Dar Robinson. You may not have heard of those names. But you’ll have seen them at one time or another. Do you honestly think it is your favourite actor or actress throwing themselves off a cliff or crashing a car at high speed? Not so. The 1980s TV series The Fall Guy paid tribute to these men and women of the stunt profession. Starring Lee Majors, the show ran for five seasons and depicted a Hollywood stunt performer who moonlighted as a bounty hunter.
Thirty-eight years after the TV series ended, a big screen version is hitting cinema screens this week. The cast for this new version is led by Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. The supporting cast for the movie includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, and Winston Duke. Directed by David Leitch and written by Drew Pearce, the film once again pays tribute to the people we don’t usually see or know that much about in an action-comedy that showcases practicality over CGI. But can the film capture lightning in a bottle and deliver a terrific movie experience? Or does it come across as unconvincing and fake?
PREMISE
Fresh off an almost career-ending accident, stuntman Colt Seavers has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job.
THOUGHTS
Who could be better to direct a film about Hollywood stunt performers than a former one himself? David Leitch has taken his former profession and directed a love letter to those days when CGI was non-existent. Although the film does contain a minimal amount of CGI (mainly during the film within film scenes and to remove the wires needed to perform some of the stunt work), what we see on screen is all practical. It gives us all a look at what can be accomplished by human beings and not computers. And by doing so, delivers a movie that works on every level. An action-comedy that doesn’t skimp on either. One minute, we find ourselves laughing at what we see on the screen. The next, we marvel at the amazing stunt work and action scenes that have been crafted.
The action, stunts and fun come at us thick and fast from the start. The opening sequence sets up the film nicely. Colt Seavers (Gosling), after a makeout session with his girlfriend Jody (Blunt) prepares himself to double egotistic Hollywood A-lister Tom Ryder (Taylor-Johnson) in a fall from a great height. Of course, it goes wrong, leaving Colt with a broken back, feelings of inferiority and a ruined relationship due to his not being able to accept his accident or open up to Jody. But this being a Hollywood movie, both Colt and Jody will cross paths again, leading to all sorts of hilarity, action and mystery when Ryder goes missing.
RYAN GOSLING
The pairing of Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt is a winning one from the opening until the end. The pair are so likeable, so fitting, and play off each other so well, that it is impossible not to like either of them. The playful banter between the pair is more than enough to keep us invested in them. And that’s before the big climax. Gosling comes across as goofy at times, his grin making him look like a buffoon. But this is a mask Colt wears to hide the toughness he holds inside. As a veteran stuntman, he knows what his body can do and when it hits the limits. That doesn’t stop him though. Gosling is a superb actor, dramatic when he needs to be, charming and winning at all other times. His personality shines through the character he plays here and continues through the end credits.
EMILY BLUNT
Emily Blunt also displays a brilliant sense of comic timing here. She isn’t a damsel in distress, this is a winning performance from the actress. Jody does show some emotion at some of what goes on between herself and Colt. But for the most part, she is a tough, uncompromising character, the epitome of a strong-willed, independent woman. Even during the scenes where she is being pushed in the direction her friend and executive producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham) wants her to go, her strength shines through. Emily Blunt also manages to get in on the action during the climax. She also shows her vocal range during a sequence that intercuts between Colt having a fight on a speeding truck and Jody performing the song ‘Against All Odds’ at a karaoke bar. Emily Blunt more than holds her own against Gosling throughout the film, delivering a performance that is sublime.
AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Tom Ryder, a famous action film star and the actor Colt continually doubles for is an enigma. He comes across as fairly decent when we first meet him. But we soon become aware that he is nothing but egotistical after Colt suffers his accident. It reminded me of something that happened back in the 1980s when a stuntman was injured on a film set in a stunt gone wrong. And the big name actor who toplined the film couldn’t be bothered to speak to the stuntman in hospital or even visit him. This comes across the same here with Taylor-Johnson’s character. But the actor can’t help but deliver a typically great performance, one that has us rolling in the aisles laughing at times. Taylor-Johnson hardly puts a foot wrong in any movie he appears in and he holds that standard here.
HANNAH WADDINGHAM
Hannah Waddingham is once again nothing short of a revelation. Although she doesn’t have much to do for the most part, her performance as Gail Meyer, Jody’s executive producer is another superb performance under her belt. It is her character that sets the reunion between Colt and Jody in motion. However, Jody doesn’t know or want to see him again. Gail is the kind of producer that we all hear about. Scheming, underhand, devious, and with ulterior motives. Gail will do anything for Ryder that she has to.
Hannah Waddingham is an actress we can’t help but like and enjoy when she appears on screen and so she proves here. The distraction is that she flits in and out of the film at times. While we, of course, focus on the two main characters, we find ourselves at times wanting to see more of her. But this is a minor quibble.
WINSTON DUKE
Winston Duke as Dan Tucker, Colt’s best friend and stunt coordinator once again proves what a truly versatile, talented actor he is. He also shows his comedic chops at times here in what is one of the best performances in the film. Whether it’s setting up a stunt for Colt to perform, offering advice to his friend or simply getting involved with the action at times, Dan is a great character. Duke plays him to perfection. One sequence has both Dan and Colt battling bad guys inside Ryder’s apartment, using props against their heavily armed foes. Duke not only shows he can handle the action brilliantly, but he also shows a deft comic touch that has us roaring with laughter throughout.
THE DIRECTION
David Leitch directs the film as only he can. Fast-paced, expertly shot and with some sequences and scenes that takes the breath away. He is more restrained here from what he delivers in the John Wick movies. But his direction hits every spot it needs to. His love for the stunt performers, their craft, and their abilities shines through in every frame. He has directed a love letter that only he could possibly have delivered. He shoots the action deftly, he shows the location of Sydney, Australia in all its true glory and splendour, and doesn’t waste a single frame. He has taken every cent of the $125 million budget and has put it all up there on the screen. This could yet turn out to be his magnum opus. And believe me, the stunts are incredible.
THE SCREENPLAY
The writing from Drew Pearce fits the film’s narrative like a hand to a glove. He has filled his screenplay with enough action, stunts, story and hilarity and almost everything he writes here has paid off. Almost. The well-publicised joke about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard falls completely flat. It threatens to ruin what has up until that point been a thoroughly enjoyable movie. It elicits groans instead of laughter. But disregard that one misstep put it out of your mind and enjoy what he’s created. Pearce also manages to stick the boot into CGI and Deep Faking in his script, much to the audiences’ delight. This is an old-school type of movie and Pearce’s script showcases this, poking fun at modern technology while championing the practical side of filmmaking. And it is superb.
CONCLUSION
A brilliant tribute to the stunt profession, and a great movie to boot, The Fall Guy is perfect Summer Blockbuster entertainment. It takes the old formula of the TV series and not only updates it but exceeds it. By changing the demographic from the show from what we’ve come to expect to what is delivered here, the film is a winner on all fronts. It is what popcorn cinema was made for, showcasing great performances, great humour, brilliant action scenes, and some genuine emotion. More than that, it has heart. It also contains a score by Dominic Lewis that fits the film perfectly as well as containing enough hit songs to fill several soundtrack albums. All of which suits what we see on screen. And yes, we do get the theme tune over the end credits.
THAT CAMEO WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!
Those of us who are of a certain age (i.e. from the 1980s) will be waiting for THAT cameo. It isn’t a spoiler to say we are all waiting for Lee Majors himself to appear. It’s already been revealed he is in the movie. We have to wait for a mid-credits scene to finally get what we’ve been waiting for. But when he finally makes his appearance, we find ourselves cheering. That’s not all. Heather Thomas, The original Jody also appears alongside him, giving fans a double whammy for their money. Eagle-eyed viewers will also spot the various nods and easter eggs the film contains. The end credits also pay tribute to the stunt performers in the film, showing them on the set and preparing to display their art for us all to marvel at in behind-the-scenes footage. By then, we’ve been completely entertained.
A wonderful movie, one that is suitable for the whole family, exciting, funny, and a joy to watch on the big screen. It deserves to be a huge success, something that needs to be watched in the cinema to get the full effect and respect it and the stunt performers should be afforded. The summer blockbuster movie season is in full swing. But on this showing, The Fall Guy deserves not to fall by the wayside but to soar to the top of the box office for all to see. A triumph.
The Fall Guy is distributed by Universal Pictures. It will be in cinemas from Thursday in some territories, and Friday in the United States.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
