Walking Tall (2004) Movie Information:

Walking Tall (2004) Directed by: Kevin Bray Walking Tall (2004) Written by: David Klass, Channing Gibson, David Levien, Brian Koppelman Walking Tall (2004) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Johnny Knoxville, Neal McDonough, Kristen Wilson

Walking Tall (2004) U.S. Distributor: MGM Walking Tall (2004) U.K. Distributor: Not available at this time

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Walking Tall (2004) Synopsis:

Chris Vaughn is a retired soldier who returns to his hometown to make a new life for himself, only to discover his wealthy high school rival, Jay Hamilton, has closed the once-prosperous lumber mill to turn the town's resources towards his own criminal gains. The town is now overrun with crime, drugs and violence. Enlisting the help of his old pal Ray Templeton, Chris gets elected sheriff and vows to shut down Hamilton's operations. His actions endanger his family and threaten his own life, but Chris refuses to back down until his hometown once again feels like home.

Walking Tall (2004) Movie Review:

Chris Vaughn (The Rock) returns home after eight years in the army to find that his hometown has wasted away to a dilapidated, crime-ridden shell of its former self. The Mill, which was once main employer in the town, has long since closed and been replaced by a Casino. Owned by Jay Hamilton (McDonough), Chris’s old High School rival, the casino has given him power and influence in the town with everything that is happenings doing so because he wants it to. Seeing this, Chris decides to step up and bring down Hamilton.

The Rock tries again to conquer Hollywood like his does wrestling ring but he isn’t getting the right projects to do so.

His career is mimicking Arnold Schwarzenegger’s early forays into the movie business. After both been a superstar in there sports (Wrestling in The Rock’s case and Body Building in Arnie’s case) they went on to star in a high concept action role which brought them instant movie fame (The Rock = The Mummy Returns, Arnie = The Terminator). They then went on to star in some movies that, while entertaining, never really set their genre alight but did increase their profile. Walking Tall is one of those movies for The Rock.

Based on the true story of Sheriff Buford Pusser (The story has hit the silver screen before in the 70s), the filmmakers have taken the main story and tailored it towards The Rock’s unique talents. Here he gets the chance to take on numerous opponents in his own inimitable style, dispatching them with ease but in Walking Tall we do get to see our hero take one hell of a beating. Of course this is the catalyst for his character’s fight back against the corruption in the town as this isn’t the most original of premises but the sheer screen presence of the WWE superstar makes it all the more watchable.

Another personality moving away from his TV roots to become a thespian is Johnny Knoxville. The Jackass himself is slowly carving a name for himself in the acting fraternity. As Chris Vaughn’s best friend Ray he portrays him as a very likeable character that has struggle to step out of his illustrious friend’s shadow. Knoxville improves with every performance and he actually might be on his way to becoming a big screen star.

There support is also up to the job. Neal McDonough plays a good villain by portraying him as a real power hungry grease ball. Ashley Scott is nothing more than eye candy but good eye candy all the same. Kristen Wilson and Khleo Thomas are fine as Chris’s sister and nephew.

Walking Tall is another step on the Hollywood ladder for The Rock. He has the screen presence and charisma to make it far in the business. While the inevitable comparisons between him and other movie muscle men will continue, he does have on major asset in his favour over all that have gone before him. He can actually act.

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Walking Tall (2004) review written by: Jamie Kelwick