Samuel Ellis
Columnist
“The Fall Guy” was a breath of fresh air and is counted among the handful of “good” movies during our recent decline of cinema. The film debuted in theaters May 3, 2024, and starred Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
The film is based loosely on its predecessor TV show of the same name, which aired from 1981-1986. Sporting different core plots, some say it is a far cry from its original “father,” but others say the film is its perfected model. Regardless, both boast wild stunts and proportions, and the film even pays homage with cameos from original actors and theme song “Unknown Stuntman.”
The story is driven by former stuntman Colt Seavers (Gosling) as he returns to the movie scene, hoping to make up with his ex-girlfriend and new director, Jody Moreno (Blunt). However, foul play arises, and the dashing protagonist must triumph through great stunts while rekindling his old flame.
It goes without saying that this film was packed with stunts and saturated with action. But the impressive part of this film is that it feels and looks genuine — the shots, choreography and character portrayal all played a crucial role in this feat. The entertainment factor and repeated watchability are surely present.
With quality and well-placed practical effects, delectable and satisfying color grading and showy lighting, “The Fall Guy” truly offers a stellar visual appeal.
As for sound design, no effect was too jarring or overly disorientating. The sound complimented each shot with what was needed: swords clashing, cars crunching, bottles breaking and, of course, explosions. Nothing outstanding but certainly exceptional.
The soundtrack, however, was spectacular, using several hits ranging from “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC to “All Too Well” (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift. My favorite, however, was “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” by KISS as an exciting motif throughout the film.
Overall, “The Fall Guy” is a fantastic film with many layers, recurring themes rooted in a realistic lens of humanity and jokes as a critique of the movie industry. It also maintained a certain relatability through its characters and stunts, showing people who work in Hollywood are (mostly) regular people, and everyone can have life-altering adventures and find love.