There comes along so few films in a year that are so brilliantly crafted, so carefully written, so painstakingly researched that one almost feels like a different person upon leaving the theater. "Walking Tall" is, unfortunately, not one of these films. It is a movie that seems to bear much promise, only to have the old "bait and switch" pulled on the audience.
The blame for this movie does not lie with the actors. The Rock is obviously evolving into a real action hero, one with depth and nuanced comedic timing. He is entirely believable as the reluctant hero Chris Vaughn, a dispenser of vigilante justice. It is evident from his performance in this otherwise forgettable movie, and his last success "The Rundown," that the Rock is taking the craft of acting seriously.
Johnny Knoxville, most famous for starring in a TV show in which one of its members got his ass cheeks pierced together, delivers a surprisingly toned-down and subtle performance as well. His role as Vaughn's best friend Ray Templeton doesn't call for any "Jackass"-style antics, and Knoxville proves he is up to the challenge of behaving like a normal human being. Actor Neil McDonough plays the villain with skill and scary ice-blue eyes, despite his one-dimensional character.
The blame for the film's failure, therefore, must lie with the writers. The most astonishing aspect of this movie is the way in which the writers seem to have explicitly avoided developing any of the relationships between the characters or any of the storylines. There are gaping holes in Vaughn's history; we know nothing of him before he came back from Iraq. There is obviously a fair amount of tension between Vaughn and his father (an under-utilized John Beasley), but never any explanation as to why. Even the requisite sex scene between Vaughn and his high-school sweetheart (Ashley Scott) is abridged and more innuendo than real action.
The problem with this movie is that it leaves too many questions unanswered and solves all of the conflict too easily, without wasting any time on building the drama. On the upshot, it's probably ideal for someone with Attention Deficit Disorder.
All that being said, "Walking Tall" is not a terrible movie. The actors are entertaining and the action sequences don't fail to disappoint. Even in a slimmed-down version (he lost 40 pounds to play this role), The Rock still cuts such an imposing figure, made even more so by wielding a two-by-four as his weapon of choice. Watching The Rock break things and beat the hell out of people with a large piece of wood is always entertaining. Additionally, director Kevin Bray was smart enough to include some delicious shirtless scenes of our reluctant hero. Pointless? No! That alone may be worth $9.50.
This remake of the 1973 film, though bearing almost no resemblance in any way, shape or form to the original, might have been so much more had the script been up to snuff. The actors did as much as they could to breathe life into a one-dimensional plotline and dialogue that leaves a bit to be desired.
While "Walking Tall" might have turned out a bit sub-par, it's certainly not the worst movie to come out in a while. And some people still went to see "Gigli," right? The moral to be learned from this story: Everyone read your scripts carefully before you sign on to a film. Oh, and to The Rock: Fire your agent.
