4 out of 5
In an era where blockbusters often demand homework, with their intricate universes and complex lore, "Barbie" emerges as a delightful outlier. Films today, from the sprawling epics of "Dune" to the interconnected sagas of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, seem to require a viewer's full dedication-and maybe even a notepad to keep up! This isn't to diminish their artistry, but it's clear that the pure joy of cinema, the sort of effortless fun Hollywood once peddled so well, has become a rare find.
A film that welcomes you without prerequisites, "The Fall Guy," seeks to reignite that spark of unadulterated entertainment. It aims to dazzle with the sheer magnetism of its leads, thrust into a whirlwind of romance and adventure, harking back to the days when stunts were real and filmmaking was a team sport, offering a joyride that's as heartwarming as it is thrilling.
Hollywood's narrative-rich turn hasn't dulled the magic of star power, a fact "The Fall Guy" embraces wholeheartedly, reminiscent of a time when the charm of icons like Burt Reynolds was all the spectacle one needed. Both Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt prove their mettle as all-round entertainers, winning hearts even in the most casual settings, their performances in this film further cementing their versatile appeal.
This movie had been in development since 2010. Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, Nicolas Cage, Jason Statham, and Dwayne Johnson were all eyed to play Colt Seavers over the years and if, like me, you are old enough, you will have remembered The Fall Guy on TV in the 80s. It starred the Six Million Dollar MAn himself, Lee Majors as the stuntman cum bounty hunter Colt Seavers. This film has very little in common with the 80s TV show apart from the title and the fact it's about Colt Seavers.
Ryan Gosling plays a stuntman, and like everyone in the stunt community, he gets blown up, shot, crashed, thrown through windows, and dropped from the highest of heights, all for our entertainment. Fresh off an almost career-ending accident, this working-class hero has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy, and try to win back the love of his life, played by Emily Blunt while still doing his day job. What could possibly go right? Don't worry too much about the plot.
As a film, The Fall Guy also champions the unsung heroes of cinema: the stunt performers. Through breathtaking feats and daredevil escapades, it pays homage to the risk-takers who've silently shaped cinematic history.
Chris O'Hara received a credit for for the crew position of 'stunt designer,' believed to be the first credit of its kind. The role of Stunt Designer is meant to acknowledge the high-level artistic contribution of the traditional stunt coordinator role, and recognize creative leadership within the stunts industry. With 8.5 car rolls, The Fall Guy breaks the Guinness World Record for the most car rolls. This was also stated in the movie and is a true fact.
While watching this film, I found myself smiling nearly the entire time. If you are looking for pure, unfettered fun (in the form of romcom action of course), then this is the film for you. The plot was fun, the acting was solid, the situations that the characters found themselves in were hysterical, the action was on point, the cinematography was nice, and the romance was entertaining.
Upon leaving the theater, I couldn't think of any complaints. Again, I was just smiling. Sure, there may be some ambiguities about the context and background of the antagonist's intentions, but I was too involved in the fun to care.
Ooh, and do stay for the mid-credit sccene at the end. It will be worth it.