The Fall Guy 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

"The Fall Guy" delivers an impeccable 4K UHD Blu-ray visual experience, maintaining the stellar standards expected from a modern Universal release. Shot primarily with Arri Alexa cameras at a 4.6K source resolution, the transfer to a native 4K master ensures a pristine 2160p presentation. The hyper-stylized nature of the film, reminiscent of a live-action anime, benefits dramatically from the vivid and bold color distribution enabled by Dolby Vision and HDR10. Colors, whether explosive pyrotechnics or subtle lighting, are displayed with remarkable saturation and vibrancy. The fine details from facial textures to environmental intricacies are sharply rendered without any noticeable digital artifacts, crush, or banding. This level of detail spans from close-up shots revealing pores and individual hairs to wider scenic vistas that are equally captivating.

The HDR implementation in "The Fall Guy" is exemplary, further enhancing the 4K image quality. Black levels are particularly impressive, offering deep inky shadows and superior dimension in low-light sequences. The HDR's role in rendering shadow detail and depth of field is particularly notable during nighttime scenes or dark confined spaces. Intense action sequences, marked by flames, explosions, and arcing light, shine brilliantly under the HDR and Dolby Vision grading, producing a high-contrast visual marvel. This dynamic range imbues each frame with a sense of three-dimensionality and realism, sustaining excitement visually.

Dolby Vision further elevates the viewing with its precise contrast and color dynamics, allowing primary colors to pop beautifully amidst the warm amber glaze that permeates the film. Skin tones remain natural and healthy except where stylized grading necessitates otherwise. The wide gamut of colors in varied settings—from neon-lit streets to sandy dunes and posh interiors—is masterfully presented on this physical copy, offering more room for the visuals to breathe compared to streaming versions. The result is an outstanding, demo-worthy 4K picture that enriches the viewing experience immensely with no apparent defects or anomalies to detract from its quality.

The Dolby Atmos track for the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Fall Guy" is a masterclass in immersive audio design, delivering a robust and dynamic listening experience that greatly enhances the film's extensive stunt and action sequences. The track makes excellent use of all available channels, with directional audio and overhead effects contributing to a fully enveloping soundstage. Explosions, gunfire, and vehicle chases are accompanied by deep, powerful bass that remains well-controlled throughout the film’s duration. This is balanced with crystal-clear dialogue that remains front and center, even amidst the chaos.

Ambient noises, from city life to subtle hotel echoes, are meticulously crafted, adding to the realism and enhancing the sense of place. The use of the height channels is particularly notable, capturing the finer details such as debris falling, helicopters sweeping overhead, and rain during movie set scenes. The dynamic range is impressive, offering impactful low frequency effects without overshadowing other audio elements. Music also plays a significant role; notably, the soundtrack features varied hits from artists like AC/DC, KISS, and Taylor Swift, and even includes Blake Shelton’s rendition of “The Unknown Stuntman.” The score meshes seamlessly with these tracks, further enriching the audio landscape.

The surround sound presentation excels during the intense action sequences but also maintains a consistent level of quality during quieter moments. The nuanced use of rear and side channels ensures an engaging listening experience even when the on-screen activity dips. This disc truly sets a benchmark in audio presentation, offering a demo-worthy Dolby Atmos track that will undoubtedly appeal to audiophiles and general viewers alike.

The Fall Guy 4K UHD Blu-ray release is an exemplary package featuring a comprehensive array of extras, vital for any action film enthusiast. The set excels in providing an in-depth look at the film’s meticulously crafted stunts, spotlighting a remarkable behind-the-scenes exploration with the cast and crew in Australia. This ensures a high level of engagement and educational value about the art of stunt work. Both the Theatrical and Extended cuts are included on separate discs, with the latter providing an additional 20 minutes of footage for more action and character development. Additionally, the audio commentary by Director David Leitch and Producer Kelly McCormick enhances this package with insightful anecdotes and production details.

Extras included in this disc:

Extended Cut: An extended cut of the film with 20 minutes of additional footage featuring more action, more laughs, and more stunts. Gag Reel: A collection of flubbed lines and laughter from the set. Alternate Takes: A few scenes that have alternate lines of dialogue. Stunts on Stunts: Breaking Down the Action: Five breathtaking breakdowns detail the meticulous designs, careful preparation, and astonishing execution of the film's stunts. City Truck Jump / Sidewinder: A first-person view from stunt driver Logan Holladay during a truck stunt. Garbage Bin: Ryan Gosling and stunt performers navigate various stunts across Sydney's Harbour Bridge. Boat Chase: A classic boat jump stunt, complete with explosions near Sydney Opera House. Car Jump: The most dangerous stunt—a bomb-blasting ride leading into a heart-stopping jump. High Fall: Troy Brown performs a high fall off a helicopter. Making a Meta Masterpiece: Behind-the-scenes look at turning the original TV series into a movie. How to Break a World Record: The cast and crew attempt and succeed in executing a world-record cannon roll stunt. Nightclub Mayhem: Fight coordination details for a major nightclub scene. The Art of Doubling: Spotlight on the film's stunt doubles. Making Metalstorm: Insights into the creation of the film within the film. Falling for The Fall Guy with Bob Reese: Parkour athlete Bob Reese recreates stunts from the movie.

This extensive and informative extras collection makes The Fall Guy 4K UHD Blu-ray an unmissable release for both fans of the movie and those interested in the intricacies of filmmaking and stunt work.

David Leitch's "The Fall Guy" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands out as a dynamic homage to stunt performers, blending comedic tones with relentless action. The film follows stuntman Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), who, after a catastrophic injury, is thrust back into action to find missing film star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Accompanied by his ex-girlfriend Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), now directing her maiden film, Colt navigates a labyrinth of danger, tracked by gunmen and grappling with Hollywood’s absurdities. With a characteristic touch reminiscent of Leitch's previous works ("Bullet Train," "Deadpool 2"), "The Fall Guy" saturates the screen with over-the-top stunts and slapstick humor, echoing a rich love letter to the oft-unsung stunt artist community.

The 4K UHD presentation offers both theatrical and extended cuts. The extended version, at 20 minutes longer, enriches the narrative with additional fight sequences and deeper character arcs, though it occasionally stretches the humor further than necessary. Nevertheless, the action-packed sequences and comedic undertones, paired with stellar performances by the cast, especially Gosling's seamless blend of charm and wit, make for riveting viewing. Emily Blunt shines as Jody, bringing warmth and assertiveness, while Taylor-Johnson delivers a hilariously exaggerated performance as the narcissistic Ryder. The synergy between Gosling and Blunt enhances their romantic subplot, providing an additional layer of enjoyment in this high-octane cinematic experience.

Leitch’s directional finesse ensures meticulously choreographed stunts, celebrating the prowess and bravery of stunt performers. The integration of real-life stunts executed by actual professionals, including Gosling stepping into numerous scenes himself, heightens realism. This homage extends into a heartfelt end credits sequence, accentuating the film's underlying narrative honoring the indispensable stunt community. With engaging set pieces and a playful dissection of Hollywood’s eccentricities, "The Fall Guy" delivers on its promise of escapist entertainment, framing a narrative that’s as much about making movies as it is about cherishing those who risk their lives to bring movie magic to fruition.

"The Fall Guy" on 4K UHD Blu-ray strikes a perfect balance between high-octane action and whimsical escapism. Directed by David Leitch and starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, and an over-the-top Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the film offers a rollicking good time with a commendable blend of stunts, humor, and romance. The adherence to its spirited roots while introducing modern cinematic polish is noteworthy. The narrative, while not profound, provides enough substance to separate it from your average action title. The release includes both Theatrical and Extended cuts, each on its own 4K UHD disc, and the abundant special features add substantial value, making this a particularly attractive package for collectors.

Technically, the film's presentation is top-tier. The 2.39:1 HEVC aspect ratio combined with Dolby Vision results in an impeccable visual experience, vibrant and crisp, significantly outperforming both the 1080p version and 4K streaming options. The Dolby Atmos audio track is equally impressive, delivering clear, immersive sound that brings the exhilarating action sequences to life. The subtitles are comprehensive and include English SDH, French, and Spanish options, broadening accessibility. Universal continues to set the standard for home video releases by offering combo packs, ensuring that quality home viewing isn't compromised.

At the end of the day, "The Fall Guy" is a fun bit of escapist cinema that is bold, huge in scope, filled with fun characters, and over-the-top hammy performances (Aaron Taylor-Johnson hams it up to level 15 on a scale of 1-10 as a hyperbolic “Daniel Day Lewis meets Jared Leto” type of character) and non-stop action. Best way of comparing it is saying “if you like 'Bullet Train', then you’ll probably like 'The Fall Guy.'” Universal makes this a killer home video release, with both the Theatrical and Extended cuts getting their own 4K UHD discs, as well as a Blu-ray (thank you Universal for being one of the major studios who still supports combo packs). Overall, this is actually a fun bit of escapist entertainment for action fans with a great 4K UHD setup.

Technical Specifications:

• Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer
• Directed by: David Leitch
• Written by: Drew Pearce, Glen A. Larson
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 HEVC
• Audio: English: Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core), French, Spanish DD+, English DD 2.0 (DVS)
• Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
• Studio: Universal
• Rated: PG-13
• Runtime: 146 Minutes
• Blu-ray Release Date: July 16th, 2024

Recommendation: Fun Watch