Sparks Fly- THE FALL GUY
By Danny Mendes, TheCinebuff.com
Action cinema has been having an explosive revival in large part due to the success of John Wick, directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch. While Stahelski’s skills as a director would continue to grow with each John Wick sequel, Leitch would branch out and direct films like Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and The Fall Guy. Despite its flaws, of which there are quite a few, The Fall Guy is Leitch’s strongest work yet, and it works because of the star power of Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.
From Ken to Colt Seavers, Gosling continues to prove that he has enough charm and comedic chops to keep any film afloat. His easygoing persona is equally matched by his ability to sell an action sequence. It feels reminiscent to his performance as the getaway driver/stunt double in Drive, except that Gosling gets to loosen up and have fun. Emily Blunt is also quite compelling Jody Moreno, but unfortunately she doesn’t get to do much, which is one of the film’s main issues.
Marketed as an action-romance, the chemistry between Gosling and Blunt doesn’t really land as much as it needs to. Most of the film occupies itself in a mediocre plot involving Gosling looking for a missing actor played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is the star of Jody Moreno’s debut feature film. When they’re on screen together, Gosling and Blunt shine, but those scenes are few and far between.
Of course David Leitch’s strong suit lies in the action sequences which deliver all the bombast you could expect from a movie about a stuntman. The Fall Guy works best when viewed under the context of being a showcase for crazy cool stunts. The action is diverse and feels genuinely terrifying. Leitch excels in immersing the audience in the action, which delivers an adrenaline rush that’ll leave you gripping your seat. The film builds up to a third act that is pure spectacle full of explosions, car flips, and brutal takedowns. The CGI visual effects are balanced out with practical effects to heighten what is an already hyper-reality.
David Leitch and company dedicate all of their physicality to this project, and it shows from start to finish. When you have a combination of charismatic movie stars with genuine stakes and danger, you get a film like The Fall Guy. It’s certainly not a flawless film, but it’s exciting to see a film that hearkens back to the old school action-adventure films of the past. Leitch wears his influences on his sleeve, and he shares them in a fun action blockbuster made by the stunt people who bring them to life for our viewing pleasure.
Originally published at http://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com on May 4, 2024.
