The Fall Guy

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. (05/01/2024)

A love letter to the stunt profession, written in genuine script and sealed in an envelope adorned with cute stickers of Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, and a dog that bites on command. It's a pity that the romance, humor, and attempt to build a meaningful story were nothing more than kitschy postcards that deserved to be shredded. The soundtrack, featuring Kiss and The Darkness, works well. The final '80s hellscape about the strength of the stunt community, with its unwelcome excessiveness, somewhat drags through David Leitch's love letter. Guy Gosling's performance felt a bit out of place; perhaps an unknown stunt performer could have taken the role, maintaining authenticity and saving 12 million dollars plus a little extra for the stunt doubles. (06/14/2024)

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. (04/30/2024)

David Leitch pays homage to the stunt craft and filmmaking, and it's enjoyable entertainment that won't offend anyone in the cinema, but it just doesn't live up to his previous effort Bullet Train - that was far more substantial in terms of action and humour, and more importantly it was R-rated, so I liked it better. It's quite ironic that the film's strengths don't include the action, which is more creative and interesting than excellent, and the humour is only mildly amusing rather than a loaded comedy ride, but the film gets plus points elsewhere. Like the great chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, it had emotion and this whole romance thing works great, but what I liked most was the behind the scenes of the filmmaking, where Leitch shows a lot of things from the other side and I enjoyed that. There are also a lot of movie references, I really liked the action scene on LSD at the disco (probably the most original fight ever) and then the finale, which is decently spectacular and fun. The icing on the cake is the trailer for the final film which is reminiscent of Honest Trailers (the same guy speaks by the way), I was very pleased with that. Fun, playful and heartfelt. 8/10 (05/09/2024)