When
typing the header for this review, I accidentally imputed The Rundown
instead of Walking Tall. This may seem like a dopey, little mistake,
but it’s actually kind of fascinating. The two films have their
similarities; they’re, for example, both about powerful men exploiting life
in cities and heroic protagonists trying to put an end to their actions. The
one asset that they most noticeably share is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in
their leading roles. Both are two-bucket movies that contain undercooked
potential, but still carry the entertainment value to be called worthy of
renting. I was never bored in Walking Tall, but the material comes
across as far too lame to be called interesting. It actually proves to be
exactly what I had mistaken it for: The Rundown with Johnny Knoxville
replacing Seann William Scott in the key supporting role.
The promise Walking Tall makes to its
audience is a great one, which only fools would expect it to keep. It wants
to be enthralling. What it turns out to be is just as “cool” as the next
teenager-targeted action-blockbuster that claims to tear up multiplex
screens.
Chris Vaughn (Rock) has just returned to his
Washington-State home from a long period of duty with the United States
Special Forces, to his family. He has intended to get a job at the old
sawmill, but has discovered it has been closed. Soon, Chris finds out that
its termination hasn’t been the only change in his hometown. The main source
of income in it is now the casino, run by his high school enemy. However,
after spending a night at it, and having a hot and violent encounter with
the security guards, trouble ensues when the police will not help him
prosecute them for wrongly beating him. Chris’ nephew (Khleo Thomas) then
overdoses on Methamphetamine shortly afterwards, which was supposedly
supplied by the security guards. Ignoring the cops this time, Chris serves
justice by destroying much of the casino and injuring its workers with a
trusty piece of wood. This action sends him to trial for destruction of
property, and after being proven not guilty, he vows to run for sheriff and
set the town straight.
The Rock is likeable and no one can deny that. He
proves himself to have a perfect balance of romance, humor, and charm in his
presence in each performance he puts on. He can’t seem to make a good movie,
though. But, I suppose that every actor makes their fair share of stinkers
before they find their ground. And to be honest, I’m not sure if action
movies are where he has the capability of finding the most success. He’s
strong enough a performer to work on a project that is a little more toned
down from his normal routine, and pull it off. But, since he has the ability
to draw in teenage boys to shoot-‘em-uppers, there’s doubt he’ll try to
bring some variety to the credits on his resume.
Johnny Knoxville, who has claimed his fame doing
gratuitous stunts in the abominations that are the routines of the “Jackass”
crew, shows potential in a real role here, albeit a silly one. Once Chris is
predictably elected Sheriff, he chooses Knoxville’s character, Ray
Templeton, to be his partner. Ray has absolutely no training to be a
policeman; it is miraculous he doesn’t kill himself while using a gun on
“duty.” The part, really, doesn’t leave much to be desired; Knoxville does
the perfect job in creating a somewhat klutzy, but loveable side-kick for
our charismatic lead.
Walking Tall has a lot to offer, but
somewhere in the slow motion clips of Chris bashing the brains out of the
bad guys with guns, using only a slab of wood, the whole exercise seems a
little reckless. My questions about aspects of the movie are innumerable,
but the one that I’m most curious about is the most simple. Will the average
teenager really find this to be entertaining? Sure, Walking Tall
offers many conventionally enjoyable skits, which exhibit gunplay they will
adore, but what about the sequences that deal with football games and
courtroom trials? I’m not complaining about them, but I’m sure more than a
few fifteen-year-olds will be. And as I think about it, the majority of the
target audience will probably deem this picture to be something along the
lines of Walking in The Rundown’s Shadow, even though I, myself,
wouldn’t use such a term in describing it. I don’t feel all that compelled
to decide which flick is better, either. I’ll reserve that mind-game for the
battle between the two good movies that The Rock has yet to make.
-Danny, Bucket Reviews