Stuntman turned director David Leitch’s new film is The Fall Guy. It may sound familiar because it’s based on the 1980s TV series starring Lee Majors. In the show, Majors plays stunt man Colt Seavers who also moonlights as a bounty hunter. He rode around in a GMC truck and used his stunt man skills to solve various mysteries and crimes. Lee Majors even sung the iconic theme song Unknown Stuntman.

Like the TV show, The Fall Guy follows Colt (Ryan Gosling), a stunt double for a famous actor Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). 18 months after Colt was injured during a stunt on set, he’s working as a valet and done doing stunt work. He’s contacted by film producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham) who lures him back into stunt man business by telling him his ex girlfriend Jody (Emily Blunt) requested he work on her big budget film, Metalstorm.

Colt learns the real reason Gail asked for him is to find Tom Ryder. He’s mysteriously gone missing for days and if he’s not found, the studio may pull the plug on Jody’s film. Colt reluctantly helps track down Tom using his stunt man skills and with the help of stunt coordinator Dan (Winston Duke). The more clues Colt puts together, the more he learns things may not be as they seem.

Although the film and TV series are similar in some ways, they differ in tone. Like many shows of the time, The Fall Guy was a somewhat serious action show with splashes of comedy and drama on top – A-Team, Airwolf, and Knight Rider followed a similar template. This adaptation of The Fall Guy is a lot more comedic and lighter in tone. It’s a comedy with some action with a little mystery sprinkled in. It’s clear in the film’s opening minutes that leaning into the comedy was the right idea. It unlocks Gosling to be as silly and charming as he can be.

Gosling is also the prefect romantic lead opposite Emily Blunt (she’s great in everything). The two of them work so well together and have excellent onscreen chemistry. I hope we see more of this pairing onscreen.

The tone of the is led by Gosling’s performance. His comedic chops have reignited a desire for him as a leading man, and rightfully so. All his talents are on full display in The Fall Guy. Gosling plays a fun version of Colt and makes him a character believable in any situation from the action to the comedy and romance. All of it works and mostly because of Gosling’s natural charm. His quick one-liners and facial expressions lead to some laugh out loud moments in the film.

Not to be outdone by Gosling’s shining star is Hannah Waddingham’s performance as Gail. She stumbles into every room with her oversized sunglasses and exaggerated expressions. She provides some of the film’s sillier moments. Waddingham is easily the funniest character in the film.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is fantastic playing the over-the-top actor Tom Ryder. Ryder is such a douchebag character, It makes you wonder if he’s based on a real actor. Taylor-Johnson could’ve easily stolen the film if he had more scenes.

The only downside to The Fall Guy is the action isn’t memorable. With director Leitch’s background, you assumed there would be one or two really fun action sequences and there aren’t any. Most of the action feels rushed through to get back to the comedy. There aren’t any cool stunts or explosions that one would hope to see in a film that feels like a love letter to stunt men and women around the world.

Even with the action being ok, the film is really well shot. It’s a beautifully made big budget action comedy. A film that’s made to be seen on the biggest screen possible for maximum enjoyment.

The Fall Guy is a delightful popcorn action comedy with a hint of romance. It’s hard not to laugh and smile during some of the scenes. It works very well as a film just 100% pure ridiculousness and entertainment. Even for fans that may not love the film, it will be hard to say you weren’t thoroughly entertained.

Grade: B-