7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Colt Seavers is a stuntman who left the business a year earlier to focus on both his physical and mental health. He's drafted back into service when the star of a mega-budget studio movie, which is being directed by his ex, goes missing.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa PalmerAction | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
French: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
87North's ('Nobody', 'Bullet Train') latest production 'The Fall Guy' arrives on 4K UHD disc courtesy of Universal. Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, and
Hannah Waddingham star in this action-packed comedic love letter to stunt performers inspired by the classic 1980s television series of the same
name
which starred Lee Majors and Heather Thomas. This three-disc set (2 UHDs and one Blu-ray disc) affords viewers the option to enjoy the original
theatrical cut and the extended cut (which is approximately 20 minutes longer), as well as an interesting assortment of supplemental features most
of
which focus on the film's amazing stunts. A slipcover and a Digital Code redeemable through Movies Anywhere are also included.
Hollywood has shown time and again that it loves a remake with a proven property or idea from the past believed to be the surest and safest way
to
sell tickets and generate revenue. It doesn't always turn out that way. While I always enjoyed The Wild Wild West (1965-1969) and am an
ardent fan of The Avengers (1961-1969), discovering both well after both series ended, neither film adaptation worked for a plethora of
reasons. More successfully, Mission: Impossible (1966-1973) spawned a film franchise that has endured significantly longer than the
original
series. 2024's The Fall Guy based on the series that ran from 1981 to 1986 and starred Lee Majors and Heather Thomas (both of whom
have cameos here), was clearly inspired by the vintage series, but also serves as something of a prequel to it according to the filmmakers. While
this film's Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling, The Barbie Movie) hasn't started moonlighting as a bounty hunter, he is a stunt performer who is
actively involved in bringing a criminal to justice. For the filmmakers, and most audience members, this is likely close enough.
Confident and cool under pressure, stunt performer Colt Seavers has it all. He's working on a film with his new girlfriend Jody (Emily Blunt,
Oppenheimer, Edge of Tomorrow), a camera operator who he feels is well on her way to becoming a great director, when he tragically
breaks his back when a high fall goes very wrong. In seconds his career seems to be over, and not long after he vanishes from Jody's life and, after
recovering, takes
a job as a valet. About a year later, high-strung Producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso) tracks him down, begging him to
return to his former career. She implores him to once again be a stunt double for Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kick Ass, Bullet Train),
the actor he made a career doubling, on a film which just also happens to be Jody's first directorial effort. As soon as he hears that Jody wants him
on set, his bags are packed and he's on his way to Australia, hoping to rekindle their relationship and his career at the same time. When Ryder goes
missing, Meyer tasks Colt with finding him before the film is scuttled, a task that grows significantly harder when he finds himself framed for
murder.
The Fall Guy 2160p transfer is up to the standards one would expect from a modern Universal release, with the Dolby Vision grading being
especially pleasing. Detail levels are impressively high in all shots, interior or exterior, long or close-up. Facial particulars such as Gosling's stubble and
wrinkles and Doone's tattoos are open for close inspection. Clothing and environmental particulars are also consistently on display, with the
Metalstorm cowboy costumes and alien prosthetics yielding amazing levels of texture, dirt, wear, and realism. While primaries aren't frequently
on display, they pop nicely when they do. Blacks are inky and deep without crushing, and whites can be brilliant when so allowed. Dimensionality and
depth are also quite impressive and are best appreciated in the film's longer shots. Skin tones are healthy and realistic across all scenes save for those
when obviously intentional lighting choices or stylized color grading renders them otherwise. I did not detect any defects or anomalies.
Please note that all screen captures are sourced from the included 1080p disc.
The Fall Guy's English Dolby Atmos audio track is quite good, and it should come as no surprise that it is at its best during the film's frequent stunt and fight sequences. In these instances, immersion elevates and bass erupts commensurate with the on-screen mayhem, with explosions, crashes, and gunfire sounding particularly impressive. During the moments when music is allowed to dominate, typically Yungblud's cover of the KISS classic I Was Made For Loving You, surrounds also spring to rambunctious life, with the instrumentation and vocals being faithfully and precisely rendered, and again with a well-supported low end. However, for most other moments in the film, immersion is much more subdued, with lower levels of ambient sounds to place the viewer in the scene. Dialogue is clearly and cleanly reproduced and typically front and center focused. Directionality is excellent with objects and sounds moving smoothly and fluidly through the sound field.
All on-disc supplemental material is located on the Theatrical Cut 4K UHD disc and the included Theatrical Cut Blu-ray disc. Only the Feature Commentary is found on the Extended Cut 4K UHD disc.
Why don't stunt performers win Oscars? After watching The Fall Guy, that's a question I suspect most viewers will be asking, and the film functions as a solid argument as to why they should. That aside, The Fall Guy also works as a lively piece of escapist entertainment with enough stunt and fight scenes to satisfy even the most seasoned action movie aficionado and an interesting enough romantic subplot from an earnest and adorable Blunt and Gosling to separate it from simple actioners. As is the case with every comedy, not every joke lands, but thankfully every stunt does. Even those not given to delve into the supplemental materials will be well advised to at the very least watch the entirety of the Stunts on Stunts: Breaking Down the Action to more fully appreciate the on-screen action. With an outstanding transfer and a powerful Dolby Atmos track, The Fall Guy 4K comes highly recommended.
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