The Fall Guy Movie Review

“The Fall Guy” is not just a remake of an old TV show from the 1980’s. It is a big, wet sloppy kiss to the unsung Heroes that populate movie screens — the men (and women) who make up the “Stunt Team”. These folks are literally there to take the ‘fall’. When this ‘Fall Guy’ goes beyond the normal call of duty, the spills and thrills get turned up a notch…

 

 

 

Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is on his A-game in Hollywood, being the best person on screen that nobody knows. He is the fill-in Stunt Performer of choice for the multi-hit movie star, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Colt takes great pleasure in getting into some scary-looking situations, walking away with his usual ‘thumbs up’ signal.

 

 

He has a crush on a camera operator named Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt). Jody dreams of becoming a big-time Hollywood Director. The movie being made now is produced by Tom Ryder’s business partner. She is a well-connected Producer named Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham).

 

 

After an unfortunate accident during a stunt, Colt is severely injured with a back problem. His Stunt days seem to be at an end. Over a year later, he is surviving as a valet at a Mexican restaurant. He had not called Jody back since the accident, thinking that she would not want to be with him. She put more time into her career, and is now the front-line Director of a major Hollywood blockbuster. Colt is surprised when he gets a call from producer Gail Meyer. She tells him that Jody needs the best Stunt Guy ever to be on the set.

 

 

After the flight from L.A. to Sydney, Colt finds himself on the set of a huge sci-fi movie, being directed by his crush — Jody Moreno. Tom Ryder is the star, and he has moved on to use a new Stunt Guy. Jody is perplexed about why Colt came over here. But he meets his old friend Dan Tucker (Winston Duke), the Stunt Team Manager.

 

 

Dan gets Colt ready for a major Stunt — a ‘cannon roll’. Colt will drive a car down a beach, until a ‘cannon’ will shoot down an anchor into the ground. The car will roll multiple times, all caught by high-speed cameras. Colt breaks a record with the number of rolls. But Jody seems intent on breaking Colt’s heart.

 

 

Jody is sure that she never requested Colt return to Stunt work by joining this movie. Besides, the schedule is now so hectic – they have missed a few days shooting. Tom Ryder now has a new Stunt Guy, but Ryder has not been to the set for a few days. Gail Meyer comes to talk to Colt.

 

 

The real reason that she arranged for him to come back on set — she is concerned for the safety of Tom Ryder. He has not been on set for days, and neither has his Stunt Guy. Ryder has a new ‘security’ crew with him all the time. But they might be a bunch of shifty characters.

 

 

Colt is not a Private Investigator, nor is he a Bounty Hunter. He is a love-stricken Stunt Guy with a knack for finding trouble. So, this seems like it is right up his alley. Colt checks on Tom Ryder’s rented place. He is attacked by Ryder’s female co-star from the movie – Iggy Starr (Teresa Palmer).

 

 

But it was all in fun, and she tells Colt that Tom Ryder is out with his new entourage. Colt does his best to track down the missing Ryder. He stops at a bar, goes to another hotel, all places to pick up clues. Colt would rather be spending time with Joy, so his mission to find Tom Ryder begins to drag.

 

 

 

Colt goes to find Alma Milan (Stephanie Hsu), who is Tom Ryder’s Personal Assistant. She has some very incriminating evidence on Ryder’s cell phone. It seems Tom Ryder did get mixed up in some really awful things. Alma also has a trained attack dog, but it only responds to commands in French. Alma is kidnapped, and now Colt – and the dog – is in pursuit.

 

 

After a (stunt-filled) wild ride chasing a garbage bin truck, Colt – and the dog – is able to free Alma. Working with his friend Dan Tucker, Colt – and the dog – gets back into Tom Ryder’s place. But this time — there are big burly dudes with really big guns. Dan and Colt – and the dog – see that these guys are after Tom Ryder’s phone and what it might hold. Dan is able to escape (with the dog) and Colt is captured.

 

 

Colt still has a bunch of tricks up his sleeve. Skills like driving a speedboat over a ramp on fire. After all, he needs to get back to certain movie Director that he has a crush on, and now he has and idea about the incriminating evidence. But he needs to go out in a big ball of fire, so that the world thinks this Stunt Guy has made his final Fall.

 

 

Jody meets up with somebody that she thought was dead, and Tom Ryder comes out of hiding. Gail Meyer is planning a reshoot of the ending, without any major Stunt Activity. But Jody has talked to a mystery guest.

 

 

They both plan a major Stunt Sequence — with help of Dan Tucker and his Stunt Team. Everyone is ready to make a couple slight adjustments, especially when it will mean guilty parties will be exposed. “Cut, print, check the gate, moving on.”

 

 

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“The Fall Guy” is throwback to the fun and breezy style of movies made in the 80’s. Ryan Gosling has his charisma and charm level up to the max. He brings his full ‘Kenergy’ into this role. Emily Blunt does her usual fine performance, and the chemistry between the two kicks it up a notch. The story is outlandish and silly fun. It is the perfect framework on which hang some awesome Stunt Set Pieces. Of course, this is no problem for the Director (David Leitch).

 

His background is being known as a Stunt Guy, before becoming a director. Leitch, who was at one time the Stunt Double for Brad Pitt, worked his way into becoming a Director. This is someone who can understand that the design and performance of Stunts can make a movie soar — or make it lame. But with his background, Leitch is able to make the Stunt Team in the movie look amazing. Plus it reflects the strength of the actual Stunt Team that made this movie.

 

 

“The Fall Guy” will entertain you immensely while it raises the stature of the Stunt Guys (and Gals) who make many movies great. If you are going to love a fine movie, this is the one to ‘Fall’ for…