Superhero movies have seen better days at the box office, making an action-comedy based on a 1980s TV show an unlikely contender to kick off the summer. Drawn by the appeal of Ryan Gosling’s Barbie” performance (or Ken-core), “The Fall Guy” falls flat in the beginning and only picks up towards the end, failing to achieve the major impact it aims for.
At its best, director David Leitch (“Deadpool 2”) presents a film defined by its appreciation for the movies, particularly the stunt work where he began his career. The original TV series starring Lee Majors (noted mostly for its theme song) provides a loose framework for a story about a stuntman whose on-screen troubles spill into real life, compelling him to use his skills to deal with real-life villains.
The film takes some time to set this up, introducing Gosling’s Colt Seavers as the stunt double for the egotistical star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), while also entangling him with Jody (Emily Blunt), a fellow crew member.
An accident derails Colt’s life and career, and after some time, he is coaxed out of retirement by Gail (Hannah Waddingham from “Ted Lasso”), the fast-talking producer of Ryder’s films. Colt is reluctant to return, but the chance to reunite with Jody, now making her directorial debut, entices him, though things don’t go as planned.
Colt’s comeback is driven by more than just professional interest—off-screen shenanigans and Ryder’s involvement with shady characters force Colt into a quasi-detective role, using his stunt skills to navigate dangerous situations.
The setup, including the romantic subplot, leads to some dull stretches between the elaborate stunts, which are the main attraction of “The Fall Guy” and its comedy. Gosling brings a goofy charm and amusing neediness to Colt, but the premise, already somewhat strained in the Reagan era, doesn’t fully hold up despite being amplified for the big screen.
“The Fall Guy” shines in its smaller moments and unique touches, like Colt’s boss (Winston Duke) frequently quoting movie lines, Taylor-Johnson channeling Matthew McConaughey, and a stunt dog trained to respond to French, including a particularly juvenile command.
Ultimately, “The Fall Guy” feels weighed down by high expectations and its positioning as a major blockbuster when it’s a light-hearted homage to the unsung stuntman. While Gosling has the talent to carry much, elevating this film beyond its amiable nature is a heavy lift, even for him.
