THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
In life, we always want someone to rely on. Well in Hollywood, there is always The Fall Guy.
PLOT
Inspired by the Glen A Larson television series that aired from 1981-1986, the 2024 film follows stunt actor Colt Seavers who worked exclusively for movie star Tom Ryder until a stunt gone wrong led to an injury 18 months prior. After the injury, he would make ends meet as a valet driver until producer Gail Meyer contacts him to be Ryder's stuntman for the upcoming sci fi epic Metalstorm. He agrees to do it when she claims he was suggested by his ex girlfriend he dumped after the accident Jody Moreno, who is making her directorial debut with the new film. On set, Colt does catch up with one of his friends, stunt coordinator Dan Tucker. When seeing Jody again, she admits she never asked for him due to being still upset about the breakup. So when he sees Gail in person, she admits that she needs his help to find Tom whose gotten in trouble with drug dealers and has to be found before his absence causes the film to be cancelled. When scouting the actor's apartment, he encounters his girlfriend and Metalstorm costar Iggy Starr (Teresa Palmer) who gives him a lead to a nightclub Ryder goes often where he'd then meet local dealer Doone (Matuse Paz). He tricks him to have a hallucinogenic cocktail and ends up having a fight with his goons. After Colt overcomes them, Doone admits he was paid to drug him and directs him to another hotel. There, he finds a dead body and when he tries to warn the police, the body would disappear. Production of Metalstorm would continue and on a shooting day, Gail instructs him to go home. Colt would then encounter Ryder's assistant Alma (Stephanie Hsu) and protects her from Ryder's head of security Dressler (Ben Knight) including multiple goons in an extensive chase. They were after her because she had Ryder's cellphone which had something that could incriminate him. Alama agrees to give it to Colt in exchange of gaining a producer credit on Metalstorm. Since Colt has been telling Dan of what's been going on with him, he invites him to Ryder's apartment and together, they look through the phone discover Ryder killed another stuntman named Henry, the same body Seavers saw. Just upon this discovery, they see the news report false evidence that Seavers is responsible for the murder. Dressler's group returns to again try retrieving it only to destroy it at their own doing. Dan would fight them off for Cole to escape, only for him to run into Ryder himself whose been in hiding under Gail's orders. Not only does he admit it was Gail's idea to frame him with the use of deep-fake technology, but that he was responsible for both Henry's and Colt's accidents out of spite for them calling him a coward to not do his own stunts. While Colt is able to fake his death after a boat chase, Gail tries to convince Jody that he's guilty. By the next day, Tom finally returns to set but Colt sneaks in and is able to convince Jody he's innocent. Together, they trick Tom to take part of a stunt where he'll confess of his crimes with a lav mike while Dan and the official stunt team hold s off Dressler and his group. Gail tries stealing the recording and flee via helicopter with Ryder, but Colt is able to get it back by leaping onto to the chopper and fall onto the crash mat prepared by Dan. The helicopter would crash with all the commotion, but Gail & Tom survive the outcome. However, Tom dies by inadvertently walking into pyrotechnics to avoid arrest which is what happens to Gail. With the lead actor dying, it would result in Jason Momoa being the replacement lead for Metalstorm, which would become a box office success. The film ends with Colt being exonerated and resuming his relationship with Jody.
THOUGHTS
Like Chad Stahelski who helms the director's chair for the John Wick movies, Director David Leitch is an experienced stunt performer and knows how committed of a profession it is for a film compared to actors. He and writer Drew Pearce succeed in creating an epic tribute to all the stunt performers from past and present with a highly entertaining action comedy. It is funny for its absurdity and fun for letting loose for each set piece you'd expect from stunt actors which are edited beautifully. Each fascinating stunt from the highway chase, to the record breaking cannon roll, it's hard to not be impressed with what physicality is done to bring authenticity to filmmaking. I've been aware of this element, but I never speak of it aloud for the sake of avoiding overrating it. Nevertheless, it's an element that must be respected. It's even a bonus of nostalgia when Lee Majors & Heather Thomas cameo in the post credit scene as prop crew members dressed as cops. That was a real nice touch if you ask me. Besides all the laughs like the unicorn appearance or noticing Metalstorm is a parody to Dune to the point where Jason Momoa has a cameo too in the end, I had a good kick out of this picture for giving a truthful tale on how it is never too late to recover from a setback and pick up where you left off because only you can set your boundaries. It's a fascinating journey of redemption that is well executed thanks to the entertaining lead that is Ryan Gosling as Colt. I knew he was gonna make this a ball of a film due to having a great track record of comedies through Barbie and The Nice Guys. It honestly feels like a whole new ball of Kenergy if you ask me because I related to the guy's shame over something that was past his control and wished he was prepared for the worst like he was trained to do. And deep down, I would listen to Taylor Swift when it comes to missing something that was once had. He cut things off with Jody because he didn't want to see him so vulnerable when he's made a living look invincible. Little would he expect how much he regretted it and urged making amends and luckily he did while also taking down someone who didn't deserve the fame. Emily Blunt was also great as Jody for being one with enough drive to make something special, the ideal passion for each generation of filmmakers past & present. Making a directorial debut is just as pressuring as making more right after because you want people to respect your artistic approach in the first go. She was aware of the stakes and at the same time, she's someone who can have a good time which was proven when beautifully singing 'Take a Look at Me Now' on karaoke night. She and Colt got along so fast because they respected each other's passions in the industry and she was rightfully heartbroken when he cut ties with her because she was willing to help him recover from the accident. However, she came around in hearing him out by talking to him on how to approach the story of Metalstorm, which became their allegory on how to move forward in their relationship. She believed his innocence from the start because she knew Colt doesn't enjoy violence whereas she wouldn't hesitate defending herself. She hilariously proved so when giving a relentless beatdown to him, unaware who he was in costume. With the past getting put behind them both through their heroism, they were able to pick up where they left off and get the happy ending they deserve. While Blunt & Gosling are what sell the movie, they are not the only interesting characters. Winston Duke was a delight to have as Dan because he nailed it as the ideal best friend who hears out Colt completely and supports him enough to help him do the right thing. I don't know how he got his team in on taking down Dressler, but Im glad that worked. And the biggest laugh for me is when he shouts 'Daniel Day Lewis' during the apartment fight, as he throws a tomahawk in reference to Last of the Mohicans. Sometimes, one dimensional villains can be just as compelling as the ones you can make a bibliography about. Aaron Taylor Johnson was a hit with Ryder being a stone cold prick who couldn't handle criticism he was willing to kill for his own gain. I don't even know how they made cologne ads with a guy carrying a visible ego. And he's basically a baby when you think about it because he relied on Gail to sweep up his mess. That is where Hannah Waddingham comes in and makes the character a deceitful sociopath willing to do anything to stay at the top. That's the kind of dynamic duo to fear in Hollywood and thankfully, they both meet a shocking comeuppance. . I don’t kid when I say I had a blast with this, but not even fun excuses the things that bothered me story wise. Like for starters, I feel like Colt should’ve texted Jody he was coming. It’s one thing to be nervous in seeing her again, but he should’ve been sure of what was gonna go down at work. Gail was definitely ahead of the curve in making Colt live up to the movie’s name, but there were other things she could’ve done to stay that way. Like she could’ve told Colt face scanning was normal to not suspect deepfake being used for the framing. She also could’ve waited at least another day to ship him out of town and wait until Jody saw the news to tell her of his presumed death. Colt also could’ve stayed in the hotel while dialing 911 before telling Gail what he saw, which could’ve derailed her plans. I stand by that since she went out of her way to put the body back in order to frame him when she did not have to. On top of that, the cops should be wondering why wasn’t it there when Colt called for them. That decision was more confusing than him not meeting Iggy on set. And I’ll probably be feeling like the only one to point out how rude Gail was to Colt without knowing he’s the stuntman. She ignores the talent that is gonna his life on the line as she walks past him and it’s insane how no one else points that out. I know she’s got a lot of pressure on making a successful feature debut, but take it one step at a time. I then think she shouldn’t ever think of believing Gail claiming Colt died when it was too soon for her to get that information before the news. Moving on, how the hell does Alma know that Colt’s trying to rekindle things with Joy? It’s one thing that people knew of their past, but I doubt someone like Gail would brag about that to her. I found that more confusing than blowing the whistle to Colt when she barely knew him compared to Tom. I then wonder how are there no other stunt actors available for Metalstorm? Since blockbusters are high demand, it’s hard to believe they don’t have many on standby if not Colt. And lastly, you know it’s a movie when the henchmen are stupid. Like how do you not pay attention to see if you killed your target by checking for bullet holes? That’s just dumber than surviving getting railed by a sign rather than dying like in Speed. They don’t even try to stage it like an accident or even take Colt’s phone when they had the jump on him. This is peak stupidity you’re not even trying to minimize the mess you’re bound to make. I hate their stupidity more than the fact Colt could’ve taken the front door instead of going out the window. And they definitely acted too hostile asking for Dan on set because ain’t no way in this generation people would ignore that. I love the bridge chase, but how the hell did it reach pass the bar where the Metalstorm crew was doing karaoke night? I mean that’s gotta be a world record of it’s own right for Colt to pass just as Gail was singing. However, this movie still pretty good once you ignore said flaws and appreciate it for what it is. In conclusion, The Fall Guy is an excellent action comedy that is also the most glamorous tribute the stunt community deserves, which makes the whole experience memorable. If action comedies are your favorite combo, check this out.
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