First things first, epic, funny action movies are back. Whilst action movies have not been in short supply recently many have failed to hit the mark and live up to the high standards their predecessors have set, however, ‘The fall guy’ is not apart of this same club as it is a fresh, funny take on the action movie and prepares us very nicely for a summer of comedic action with the upcoming release of ‘Deadpool and wolverine’.
The first thing I noticed (and loved) about this movie was its colouring. Through backgrounds, costumes and even the character’s sci-fi cowboy makeup; the continuity of a warm colour palette helped to set the tone that even though it is an action film it is also light-hearted and seriously unserious. Speaking of costumes, whatever Sarah Evelyn was payed was not enough because the use of costuming in this movie was impeccable. Emily Blunt’s traditional cowboy hat blown askew by an incoming helicopter and then promptly refitted by Ryan Gosling helps to draw your attention to the costumes which only become an even more prominent feature of the movie. Jodie’s jumpsuits, Hawaiian shirts and array of headwear counteracted by Colt’s Miami vice bomber jacket, neon suit and gold space cowboy jacket show the different types of characters these two people are: Colt ,although not noticeably, is very used to being in front of the camera and within the action whilst Jody shows a comfort in working behind the cameras and directing set.
Montages. They have been done in countless movies in countless different ways and ‘the fall guy’ was no exception however these montages felt different somehow, as though parts of the movie were not being skipped like some others use them to do. The first montage of the movie (yes there’s multiple) was to ‘I believe in a thing called love’ by The Darkness and it was great. The song opens and closes the movie however the montage it is put with in the second act is incredible. The montage shows Jody and Colt working together on a fight scene and it is an crucial part of the movie as it shows Colt and Jodie’s dynamic of how they work together - on and off screen - and how comfortable they are together despite their differences.
Everyone knows that Taylor Swift is the queen of break up bangers but paired with Ryan Gosling singing in a truck ‘all too well’ has never sounded better. On a surface level it brings a comedic moment to an otherwise tense day Colt has just had. However, I feel as though there is something deeper within this scene of a man, crying over a girl after doing what he believed was right for her and it turning out he may have been wrong this whole time but he also may have run out of time to change it. Sometimes big messages like this do not necessarily need long emotional speeches but to be put in a scene like this : very normal and some what comedic, as an audience can relate to this more than someone standing outside a window with a boombox (however all makes a great film).
‘Against all odds’ by Phil Collins is a somewhat unlikely choice for a big action scene in the middle of Sydney, however, I think it needs to happen more often because it is an outstanding pairing in this movie. The sequence of Colt, as he would say, beating the crap out of Sam’s security and Jodie’s rendition of the song at karaoke the scene not only becomes pivotal in the movie but is just a great fun.
The final action scene is huge. However it is its proportions that set the stakes for this scene, because if Gail would have been able to easily get to Sam I think the scene would have been over a lot quicker and would have been a lot less fun. The stakes were high and the action that ensued from all characters in this scene was immense, so much so that Ryan Gosling went full ‘Captain America’ and hung off the side of a helicopter. This is how you end an action in 2024.
‘the fall guy’ being the title actually brings a double meaning to the movie as Ryan Gosling’s character not only literally falls for a living but he is also the one who nearly takes the ‘fall’ for killing Henry the stunt man. Foreshadowing also made an appearance in this movie in the form of Colt driving a boat with his hands tied, at the beginning of the movie he spoke to Jody about a stunt he had performed on a prior project where he had performed it so many times that he could do with his hands tied behind his back, this of course rung true at the end of the movie when colt drove a boat down Sydney harbour with his hands tied behind his back away from Gail and Sam’s hunch men.
And finally, a fact we all know to be true, Ryan Gosling is Hollywood’s best feminist ally. Last year, on the ‘Barbie’ press tour his kenergy shone through as he tirelessly supported his female co-stars and director, continuing this streak throughout award season earlier this year, and now on this movie his speech to Jody about not giving up her big break film for him and that she’s a great filmmaker felt genuine and took away the outdated stereotype that women can be in power but would give it up in a heart beat for the person she loves.
Overall, this movie is, in my opinion, the movie of the year - so far anyways. I also hope this sets the tone for upcoming action movies to take away some of the stereotypes and try something new - even if its just an unbeatable soundtrack .