By Jamil Weeks

Stunt men are the unsung heroes in Hollywood. The people who pull off the real thrilling feats on camera that make major Hollywood action stars look cool and heroic. The men and women who bravely stare in the face of danger every day on set and put their own safety on the line for our entertainment. These individuals do this without the stardom or recognition that the actors they step in for receive. With the new movie, The Fall Guy, former stuntman turned director, David Leitch, has delivered an ode to the courageous stuntmen around the globe. The Fall Guy is a romantic action comedy that echoes the action movies from the 80’s, a time before CGI effects replaced real stunts and action set pieces. The film stars Ryan Gosling as stuntman, Colt Seavers, and Emily Blunt as movie director, Jody Moreno, as estranged lovers trying to find their way back to each other while on the set of Moreno’s directorial debut, Metalstorm (a science fiction action epic). While on the set trying to rekindle his love with Jody, Colt is recruited to locate the whereabouts of the film’s star, Tom Ryder (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson). The action spills over from the movie set into real life as Colt attempts to find Tom so that his absence will not derail Jody’s debut film.

The movie is a decent blend of romantic comedy and white-knuckle action. The romance between Jody and Colt is the main driving force of the movie. The film opens up by establishing the love dynamic between Colt and Jody, who at the time was a camera operator. While working on the same Tom Ryder movie together, Colt suffers an injury that seemingly ends his career as a stuntman. While on his professional hiatus, he loses touch with Jody. However, fate brings the two back together as the producer of Metalstorm summons him on the set ostensibly at the request of Jody. When Colt reveals himself on the set, he discovers Jody did not desire for him to be in her film but is forced to stick with Colt since there are no other stuntmen readily available. Colt seizes the opportunity to get back in Jody’s good graces while working behind the scenes to make sure her film is a success. Colt needs to get Tom back to the set to finish the film. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are perfectly cast as the lovable leads that you root for getting back together by the film’s conclusion. Like any prototypical rom com, the film’s lead has a sidekick that helps him on his mission to win his lady’s heart back. Winston Duke, who plays stunt coordinator, Dan Tucker, serves as Colt’s sidekick. Dan helps Colt become re-acclimated to being a stuntman on the set of Metalstorm. Off the set, Dan assists with Colt’s dangerous mission to find and locate Tom, who has seemingly disappeared while being in the company of some less than savory locals. The movie does not take itself too seriously and is filled with lighthearted comedic moments that set up the action sequences. Gosling and Blunt are both superb as the magnetic couple in their quest to renew their bond with each other despite outside forces that put their relationship in jeopardy.

The action in The Fall Guy takes a back seat for a good portion of the film. However, when there is action, it is exhilarating. The action in the film is like opening a time capsule as these scenes are reminiscent of 80s and 90s action movies. The explosions are real. The stunts are real. The CGI is minimal. In a movie dedicated to stuntmen, it is only right David Leitch highlight how real stunts are more thrilling to watch on the silver screen. Most of the action in The Fall Guy shows Colt performing stunts while on the set of Metalstorm. The behind the scenes look into how action scenes are filmed on set is a creative way to depict action in a film by Leitch. The stakes rise as Colt falls deeper into danger off the set searching for Tom. Some of the action stylistically mirrors scenes from a Die Hard or Lethal Weapon movie. Enthralling car chases through the city, classic shootouts during speedboat chases, and well-choreographed fight scenes that seem to leap out of a Joel Silver action flick from the late 80s. David Leitch makes sure the stunts are extreme and the explosions are loud and in abundance. The hallmark of a great action film is when the filmmakers perform a stunt that makes you think to yourself “how did they pull that off?” The Fall Guy is filled with these types of hair-raising, over-the-top stunts. What makes the action even better is watching scenes that are filmed in real places instead of in front of a green screen. Leitch embraces the humor in the action with tongue-in-cheek dialogue sprinkled in the high-wire scenes. In that capacity, The Fall Guy is the perfect popcorn, pre-summer blockbuster to satisfy hardcore fans of action films.

David Leitch may be a former stuntman, but he is no stranger to working behind the camera. With a resume that includes Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and Bullet Train, Leitch has proven he is capable of expertly juggling comedy and action together. The Fall Guy has all the carefree playfulness of Forget Sarah Marshall mixed with high octane thrills that look like a scene snatched out of a John McTiernan movie. Leitch keeps the plot simple in keeping with the tradition of classic action films. However, the creativity in the film is not stifled with some of the clever stunts performed by Colt in the film. The movie boasts a couple of extended one-take scenes where the camera beautifully pans around the actors amidst action in the background. By making a stuntman the protagonist of the film, Leitch found a way to make an action film with an unconventional hero. The type of hero who relies on his abilities as a stunt guy rather than any formal weapons training. The action is where the movie truly excels as Leitch culminates all his talent as a former stuntman, stunt coordinator, actor, and filmmaker into one film. The Fall Guy represents growth for Leitch as a filmmaker as The Fall Guy is probably his best work yet.

With plenty of action and romance, The Fall Guy will be the perfect date movie for the next few weeks. With comedy that lands, romance that warms the heart, and action that keeps you on the edge of your seat, the movie delivers on multiple fronts. While the plot may be a little thin, the movie has enough ingredients to entertain audiences with a slight twist in the third act. The movie is Leitch’s campaign for his fellow stuntmen to start receiving recognition from Hollywood for the work they do. For those of us who had the pleasure of growing up on iconic action films where the special effects were practical but effective, the film locations were real places, the stunts were real, the humor was disarming, and the action was gripping, The Fall Guy is a movie that will wrap a huge smile around your face. The movie delivers with every actor in the film looking like they are having fun bringing their characters to life. Most importantly, the movie does not forget to have fun, rather it is quippy dialogue or the film having an overall laidback and upbeat tone. The Fall Guy is a smart and exciting film that has the potential to turn into a trilogy franchise given the reception the film receives by critics and moviegoers. I highly recommend watching this film in IMAX as a perfect way to compliment your Cinco De Mayo weekend. Films like Dune Part Two, Late Night with the Devil, Civil War, The First Omen, and now, The Fall Guy prove how great a year 2024 has been for the resurgence of Hollywood. It has been years since I have had this much fun at theaters. Cinema is back!