Cook review: ‘Fall Guy’ is uplifting romp

An homage to stunt people and to a popular 1980s television series, “The Fall Guy” is a lot of fun.

Before the movie starts, you’ll see director David Leitch, who began his career as a stunt double, and Ryan Gosling, who stars as Colt Seavers, a stuntman.

In their brief appearance, Leitch tells the audience this is a kind of love letter to stunt experts.

At first, I wondered whether this was necessary, because the movie is overly long as it is. But, because of this addition, the idea of stunt work immediately changed my perspective: Not once during all of the heavy-duty stunts in this film, did I forget stunt actors were the reason it works.

The TV series was about a stuntman – also named Colt Seavers – who worked during slower times as a bounty hunter.

The movie has a similar tone, although here Colt isn’t a bounty hunter. He’s a fellow who’s hopelessly in love with filmmaker Jody (Emily Blunt.)

Colt is a stunt double for a Tom Cruise-type of action star whose face is recognized globally.

After a stunt goes tragically wrong, Colt finds himself out of the action and romance loops until a producer calls him to a set. Then the star goes missing, and that’s when Colt becomes involved in a mystery that will challenge his fast thinking and fast moves.

The KISS song “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” runs all the way through the practically non-stop action and gives a nice nod to the film’s origins.

If you’re old enough to remember the television series, be patient: At the very end of the finale there’s a most welcome appearance by that show’s star, and you’ll hear the series theme, this time delivered by Blake Shelton.

What a great romp this is, with an enjoyable chemistry between Blunt and Gosling, incredible stunts and fun characters portrayed by capable actors.

This is old-fashioned film making that doesn’t depend on CGI to entertain. It richly deserves to be seen on the big screen.

3 1/2 stars

Rated: PG-13 for violence, drug content and coarse language.

Running time: Two hours and six minutes.

In theaters.

Watch the trailer here.

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