REVIEW: THE FALL GUY

3.5/5

Legends Of The Fall

126 Mins. Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu & Winston Duke. Screenplay: Drew Pearce. Director: David Leitch. In: Theatres.

There was a typhoon warning in Tokyo this Friday gone. Still, that didn't stop Tokyoite's from making it to the Japanese release of 'The Fall Guy' (hey girl, you'll do anything for Ryan Gosling), like it doesn't stop these cinemagoers from sitting until the end credits of every movie is completed, even if it isn't a Marvel. Now, THAT'S respect...and besides, what better place to spend during a rainstorm, than inside? Although I should have learnt from the 2019 typhoon when I went to see 'Gemini Man' and both my jean legs represented wet dish cloths after the storm came at me like a 'Jaws' ride at Universal Studios. 

Yet, that's nothing compared to what stunt men and women go through to give you the latest Hollywood picture. The stars shadow (thank you, Luna) that break bones and plate glass windows all so you can say, "WOW! Ryan Gosling is a really good actor!" He really is though, and now, he along with former stuntman turned director David Leitch ('John Wick', 'Deadpool 2') finally give the unsung heroes their day on screen like the amazing pyrotechnics of when this movie pulled its own red carpet up from under us.

Loosely (unlike the harnesses, thank God) based on the Glen A. Larson TV show of the same name starring Lee Majors and Heather Thomas, and scripted by Drew Pearce ('Iron Man 3', 'Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation'), 'The Fall Guy' features found footage from Leitch movies like the 'Fast and Furious' spin-off 'Hobbs & Shaw' (co-wrote by Pearce) and 'Atomic Blonde'...where a tooth breaking Charlize Theron actually did some of her own stunts. Just like the billion dollar blockbuster 'Barbie' actor does in another scorching Summer, proving that he's not just an Oscar nominated Ken. He's a ten, shadowing the 'Kraven The Hunter' actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson (reuniting with Leitch after his 'Bullet Train' time with Brad Pitt), with his own hilarious understudy. 

Not to mention, the cracking, combustible chemistry with Emily Blunt, who holds her own in this show like the 'Quiet Place' lead did in the Oscar winning 'Oppenheimer' that went against Gosling's silver screen beau last year. The fantastic actress we wish was more than just a marvellous hint, with all due respect to 'Mission: Impossible' and 'Hobbs & Shaw' star Vanessa Kirby, who will still be a storm as Sue, plays a director, bold with the bullhorn, who is making a movie that feels like 'Mad Max' meets 'Dune'. Seeing this Ryan for who he really is, even if he thinks he can dodge bullets like Wick in 'The Matrix'.

"I never forget a fist" (HA, HA!) Gosling says, as he is given what for by a hired goon. This 'Guy' features standout performances from 'Ted Lasso' star Hannah Waddingham, scream queen Teresa Palmer (in this Aussie set movie), 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' breakout performer Stephanie Hsu, and 'Black Panther' favourite Winston Duke as a stunt coordinator. Yet nobody is stealing the show from the stunt performers themselves. Not even the 80s loaded soundtrack, the 'Miami Vice' stunt team baseball jacket, or the fluorescent, comic, nightclub hazy beat down with the obnoxious outfits to match. The action is amazing, all thanks to the blood, sweat and tears put down by those actors who literally put their lives on the line to make all this behind the scenes magic happen. 

They deserve their own bandaged, but not dinted Academy Award and Oscar category, much like the motion captured acting likes of Andy Serkis as Gollum and Caesar in this generation's 'Planet Of The Apes'  have earned their own Oscar statue covered in white dots. Hopefully the watchable, but not breathable 'Fall Guy' will help that legend happen with its relentless pace which shows just how much these unheralded icons give to the industry. Don't be a Jackass! These safety first, men and women, and the coordinators behind them, would give their left arm a sling for this. The least we could do is extend a hand to shake, or salute all that they do. Breaking a Guinness World Record for most canon rolls in a car, it's like the 'Unknown Stuntman' song says, there would be no 'Ben-Hur' or 'Titanic' without them. Let's go again! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Nice Guys', 'Bullet Train', 'Atomic Blonde'.