Fight and Film: A Look at Fall Guy’s Signature Action Scene

The Fall Guy (2024), directed by David Leitch and starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, is a Hollywood action film distributed by Universal Pictures and available on Amazon Prime Video (1). The story follows Colt Seavers (Gosling), a stuntman who is drawn into a dangerous situation as he strives to prove himself while helping his director, Jodi (Blunt), his estranged love, in completing her movie. The movie blends action, suspense, comedy, and romance, thus creating mixed reactions from audiences.

The helicopter fight scene is the movie’s main action sequence (as shown in my image), where Colt Seavers has his final battle with Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor Johnson) and Gail (Hannah Waddingham), fighting for a tape to prove his innocence. This fight sequence unfolds in a desert characterized by blue skies and scattered green trees contrasting with the landscape. Dust swirling in the air adds to the tension, visually showcasing the disorder of the fight. As Watter (2019) suggests, the setting of a movie is integral to character development, providing a space where they “live, love, and die.” (2) The setting and design of the scene are also helpful in helping viewers understand the depth of the action taking place. (3)

The color palette of this image showcases the scene’s intensity. Earthy tones like beige, tan, and brown are used, reflecting the harsh desert environment. These tones match the characters’ clothing, blending them into the theme. Dust creates a sort of cinematic atmosphere, as noted by Cao et al. (2024), who emphasize the psychological impact of color in immersing audiences. (4) This natural palette is disrupted by vibrant pinks from the pyrotechnics, creating a striking visual contrast. The bursts of pink add theatrical flair, drawing viewers into the action.

Camera angles and movements are also important in conveying the fight’s intensity. Wide shots establish the desert’s wideness, while medium shots capture the struggle inside the helicopter as Colt is shown struggling for a tape with the other characters. Close-ups of Colt’s face and those of his opponents highlight their emotions, making it seem personal. Tracking shots are also used, following Colt as he swings between landing skids of the helicopter and avoids falling, immersing viewers in the action. Handheld camera work during the struggle in the helicopter, enhances the chaotic feel, making the audience feel like part of the scene. As Hanmakyugh (2023) explains, angles and movement allow filmmakers to express emotional and psychological content, showcasing Colt’s strength, agility, and resourcefulness.(5) The portrayal of Colt as a traditional action hero reflects his masculinity, which is further emphasized by the camera’s focus on his dominance and control during the fight.

The editing is fast-paced, with frequent cuts that reflect the scene’s chaos and urgency. Within a minute, about 25 cuts are noticeable, that shift between the different shots of Colt’s battle, the helicopter, and the surrounding desert. These cuts increase tension, immersing viewers in the unpredictability of the fight. The edits are such that the viewers can follow the happenings in the action sequence making it smooth and even hard for me to tell that there were several edits. This style is common in modern action films, where fast cuts keep viewers interested and highlight the intensity of the violence.

The sequence also addresses gender and ability. Colt is depicted as a capable and determined male protagonist, reflecting the usual stereotypes. His portrayal highlights his physical dominance, traits often associated with masculinity in Hollywood action films. Colt is played by Ryan Gosling, an individual who perfectly embodies the muscular, ‘strong’ masculine fellow. Jodi’s role as a filmmaker, however, is a unique addition. Her control as a director contrasts gender stereotypes, positioning her as a powerful force in the movie. Gail, another character who is the producer who also works with Jodi, is a woman. The movie’s portrayal of filmmakers as women certainly got me excited about the future of women in film.

The Fall Guy performed well at the box office, earning $181 million worldwide.(6) Its financial success was driven by its blend of action, comedy, and romance. The casting of the two lead characters, Gosling and Blunt is also a driving factor to the movie’s success as both characters are well recognized in Hollywood. Despite its entertaining elements, the film’s portrayal of violence raises questions about its impact on viewers. Studies suggest that repeated exposure to cinematic violence can normalize aggressive behaviors among youths.(7) This, combined with the glorification of aggression in action heroes, may reinforce harmful stereotypes and normalize conflict resolution through violence.

In conclusion, the helicopter fight scene in The Fall Guy highlights the movie’s ability to mix action, spectacle, and storytelling. With careful use of mise-en-scène, camera work, and fast editing, the scene draws viewers in and reflects common trends in modern action films. However, the film also raises questions about how normalizing violence in movies might affect audiences, showing both the excitement and risks of Hollywood’s love for action.

Endnotes
1. “The Fall Guy (2024) 6.9 | Action, Comedy, Drama,” IMDb, May 3, 2024, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1684562/.
2. Seth Barry Watter, “On the Concept of Setting: A Study of V. F. Perkins,” JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies 58, no. 3 (2019): 72–92, https://doi.org/10.1353/cj.2019.0023.
3. Emmanuel Zelinjo Ekhato, “Stylistics and Setting Mise En Scène in Television: Examining Their Impact on Audience Aesthetic Appreciation,” Emmanuel Zelinjo | NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES (NJAH), 2024, https://www.nigerianjournalsonline.com/index.php/NJAH/article/view/4831.
4. Cao et al., “Exploring the Combined Impact of Color and Editing on Emotional Perception in Authentic Films: Insights From Behavioral and Neuroimaging Experiments.”
5. Teddy Thaddeus Hanmakyugh, “THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CAMERA SHOTS: A DETERMINANT FOR AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF FILM IMAGES,” AMA: Journal of Theatre and Cultural Studies 14, no. 1 (2023).
6. “The Fall Guy – Box Office Mojo,” Box Office Mojo, 2024 https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl752190209/.
7. Kumari Juhi, “A Study on the Impact of Violence in the Movies: An Escalating Challenge,” Think India Journal – Vichar Nyas Foundation, October 10, 2019, https://thinkindiaquarterly.org/index.php/think-india/article/view/9477.

Bibliography
1. Box Office Mojo. “The Fall Guy – Box Office Mojo,” 2024 https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl752190209/
2. Cao, Zhengcao, Yashu Wang, Ran Li, Xiang Xiao, Yapei Xie, Suyu Bi, Liangyu Wu, Yanlin Zhu, and Yiwen Wang. “Exploring the Combined Impact of Color and Editing on Emotional Perception in Authentic Films: Insights From Behavioral and Neuroimaging Experiments.” Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 11, no. 1 (October 7, 2024). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03874-w..
3. Ekhato, Emmanuel Zelinjo. “Stylistics and Setting Mise En Scène in Television: Examining Their Impact on Audience Aesthetic Appreciation.” Emmanuel Zelinjo | NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES (NJAH), 2024. https://www.nigerianjournalsonline.com/index.php/NJAH/article/view/4831.
4. Hanmakyugh, Teddy Thaddeus. “THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CAMERA SHOTS: A DETERMINANT FOR AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF FILM IMAGES.” AMA: Journal of Theatre and Cultural Studies 14, no. 1 (2023).
5. IMDb. “The Fall Guy (2024) 6.9 | Action, Comedy, Drama,” May 3, 2024. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1684562/.
6. Juhi, Kumari. “A Study on the Impact of Violence in the Movies: An Escalating Challenge.” Think India Journal – Vichar Nyas Foundation, October 10, 2019. https://thinkindiaquarterly.org/index.php/think-india/article/view/9477.
7. Watter, Seth Barry. “On the Concept of Setting: A Study of V. F. Perkins.” JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies 58, no. 3 (2019): 72–92. https://doi.org/10.1353/cj.2019.0023.