The Fall Guy

The Fall Guy is pure cinematic entertainment. The concept is based on the eponymous 80s series, so today's film nostalgically nods to the aesthetics of that time. The film within the film that the crew is shooting seems straight out of the era's sci-fi Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn. Nonetheless, today's experience richly benefits from the entire mixture, offering a kind backstage glimpse, the hyped charisma of Ryan Gosling (seriously, who has a bigger sexy credit today, Ryan or Jason Momoa?), and an insider's view of formal jokes, where even editing, montage, and the whole mise-en-scène react to pop culture references in the dialogue. For cinephiles, it's a fully satisfying experience, but even those viewers who don't catch half of the references can still enjoy it. (05/01/2024)

A tribute to a difficult profession, which it's a shame doesn't have its own category at the Oscars. Fall Guy is certainly not popcorn for everyone, which is why it will have a difficult time with high box office and general acceptance. For the average viewer, it's far too loaded with references, innuendo and props that not everyone will register. But for film buffs, it's great fanservice. Ryan Gosling confirms that he's great at the role of likable muscular cool good guys, and it suits him much more than the roles of tough agents in crap like The Gray Man. The only thing I found downright annoying is the weird "just to make something happen" style storyline, which pretty much spoils the overall look and dynamic of the film. The heart, on the other hand, pulses as hard as it can and the central couple is cute. (05/31/2024)

Stuntman Ryan Gosling must find a lost movie star in order to save the film of his beloved Emily Blunt. And for her, he'll go through hell. David Leitch delivers an entertaining tribute to the stunt craft and all those who practice it. He combines great action with surprisingly even better romance, a nice bit of wit and humor, and the obvious joy of goofing around on set with the friends he's spent his entire career with. And it's great to watch. (04/29/2024)

Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are great, David Leitch clearly enjoyed being able to make a film about his own craft... But I stopped believing almost everything in The Fall Guy after about half an hour, when the main plot was in full swing. As with the previous Bullet Train, it became a parade of not entirely believable to the point of stupid situations, from which only the split-screen conversation and the action scene with the container stood out. On top of that, the film was terribly long, and could have ended an estimated three times before the very end. Too bad. I'm not one of those people who constantly claim that the grass was greener and the sky was bluer before, but here it must be said that an honest film that glorifies the profession of stunt work and is genuinely funny, wacky and believably romantic was made 47 years ago, Animal with Belmondo (05/09/2024)

If I had to describe this film in one word, it's energetic. The Fall Guy is a perfect blend of positive feel good vibes, precisely delivered interactions between the two leads and action wrapped in a refreshing theme from the world of filmmaking and stuntmen. It may have "only" some basic story, "only" average action, and actually the humor isn't as sharp as we've come to expect from David Leitch's after Bullet Train, but this whole ordinary package is just so lightheartedly delivered and accentuated by the acting of the sweet Emily Blunt and the charismatic Ryan Gosling that it would be a sin not to throw in that extra 4th star. Sure, the action could have been more intense and imaginative, and especially the humour could have been sharper and a bit more bonkers in that regard, but the film as a whole is still pretty satisfying fun with pretty, colourful and expensive visuals. (04/30/2024)