“Another go-over of the story could have had made The Fall Guy a truly memorable cinematic experience, but instead we’ll settle for an upbeat popcorn flick. Is it fun? Yep! Is it forgettable? Absolutely. Do we want to know how much tax money went into getting so many shots of the Opera house? Hells-to-the-no.“
Rylan Dawson
3 out of 5 Cocktails at Ivy Precinct
Stunt performer Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is one of the best in his field and the double choice for superstar Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). He’s living the stuntman dream; all parkour and flying off buildings and even better – he gets to do it under the direction of his aspiring filmmaker girlfriend Jody (Emily Blunt). Life is good – until he breaks his back in a failed stunt, prompting him to isolate himself and ghost Jody. After 18 months of parking cars, watching Notting Hill and listening to Taylor Swift, Colt is persuaded by producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham) to jet off to Australia as Ryder’s double on a new sci-fi film. What closes the deal? Jody, of course. Gail assures Colt that Jody herself has asked for him and Colt doesn’t need to hear anything else.
Upon arrival, Colt learns that Tom is missing. Since Colt has been Tom’s stuntman for years, Gail figures Colt can try and find him.
Alright, is that enough of a loose story thread to go off? That’ll do. Time to watch Ken get beat up.
Following Anyone But You, this is the second Hollywood production based in Sydney in the last six months, but the differences between the two movies couldn’t be greater. The Fall Guy was made to entertain and knows when it’s about to lean too far into the cliché. It features two of Hollywoods most charismatic stars, karaoke bars, car chases across Sydney Harbour and a dog side-kick with extremely thick plot-armor. At its core, its a love letter to the stunt community, who ironically take centre-stage in a film they’re not supposed to be noticed in. Directed by former stunt man David Leitch (Brad Pitts stuntman on Fight Club), he enthusiastically captures death-defying acts all throughout the film, perhaps so much to the detriment of the story.
Besides a couple moments where Sydneysiders will gasp: “You can’t go that way and end up over there!” its a captivating ride. There’s true chemistry between the Barbenheimer pair, and along with the picturesque backdrop, you have everything you need to stay locked on. An over-extended final fight scene may have you glance at the clock once or twice, but generally things move at breakneck speed, and there’s definitely a place for films that are primarily made for a good time. Another go-over of the story could have had made The Fall Guy a truly memorable cinematic experience, but instead we’ll settle for an upbeat popcorn flick. Is it fun? Yep! Is it forgettable? Absolutely. Do we want to know how much tax money went into getting so many shots of the Opera house? Hells-to-the-no.
Rylan Dawson, On The Screen
