Move over, Barbenheimer: Critics say Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt's 'The Fall Guy' could be the next great summer blockbuster

Critics call 'The Fall Guy' 'enormous fun' fueled by 'charming performances' from Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

• Critics highlight the strong chemistry between stars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.
• "The Fall Guy" is also being hailed for its amazing action sequences and great soundtrack.
• The film currently has an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It opens in theaters on Friday.

The summer movie season officially kicks off this weekend with the release of "The Fall Guy."

The film is loosely based on the 1980s TV show of the same name, which starred Lee Majors as a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter. In the latest adaptation, Ryan Gosling plays stuntman Colt Seavers, whose latest project is directed by his ex-girlfriend, played by Emily Blunt. As the two rekindle their relationship on set, they have a problem as the movie's star (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) goes awol. Now, Seavers must track him down and bring him back to finish the movie.

Directed by David Leitch ("Atomic Blonde," "Bullet Train"), the former stuntman showcases incredible action while also interweaving a fun love story. The result has brought critical praise for the movie and it currently has an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Here's a roundup of the critical reaction to the movie.

There's amazing action sequences

If there's one thing you know you'll get from a movie directed by David Leitch, it's lots of action. After decades as a stuntman, he knows what looks good on camera. But what he's elevated here with "The Fall Guy" is telling the story within a movie-in-a-movie structure. So not only are you seeing impressive action sequences but also getting a little behind-the-scenes glimpse into how they are done.

"There are many elements that make 'The Fall Guy' enormous fun, but what makes it genuinely artful is the way that Leitch and his team (including writer Drew Pearce and stunt coordinator Chris O'Hara) have conceived the film's stunts as extensions of the characters," wrote Vulture critic Bilge Ebiri.

The movie has a killer soundtrack

Along with showcasing action, Leitch loves to throw in a lot of needle drops in his movies, and this is no different. "The Fall Guy" features everything from Phil Collins' "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" to Taylor Swift's "All Too Well." And then there's a KISS song that's all over the movie.

"This is popcorn filmmaking at its most cheerful and enthusiastic, driven by cheeky needle drops (the KISS disco hit "I Was Made for Loving You" serves as an unofficial theme song)," wrote IndieWire's Katie Rife.

Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling are a perfect tandem, giving the movie a rom-com vibe

One of the best parts of the movie is the chemistry of its stars, Gosling and Blunt. From their fun jabs to flirty one-liners at each other, their work on screen is what pulls you into the movie.

"Charming performances from Gosling and Blunt, coupled with their strong chemistry, make 'The Fall Guy' a true delight," wrote The Hollywood Reporter critic Lovia Gyarkye.

"This is really about the rush of watching Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt making goo-goo eyes at each other in between the occasional explosions, high-pursuit car chases, shoot-outs and industry in-jokes, That's entertainment!" opined Rolling Stone's David Fear.

It just feels like a summer movie blockbuster

There are some movies that just complement perfectly with great weather and put you in a good mood. "The Fall Guy" definitely has that vibe with its lighthearted tone and thrills. Then there's just its bright look.

"Visually, Leitch and DP Jonathan Sela make the whole endeavor look so glossy, you'd think you were watching a feature-length Super Bowl commercial," Peter Debruge of Variety wrote. "We're talking crisp, meticulously lit sequences in which the colors pop, sparks literally fly and even the below-the-line characters look like … well, movie stars."