Walking Tall and carrying a big stick is the simple premise behind this re-invented recipe cooked-up in order to let The Rock kick some ass. The Rundown billed The Rock as the next big thing. Even Arnold made a cameo in the picture to "pass the torch" as it were. I
wasn't a huge fan of that particular movie, though it had moments that demonstrated the Rock's potential. Even though the new action film Walking Tall (a remake of the 1973 film starring Joe Don Baker) is dumb, preposterous, illogical, ugly, excessive
underdeveloped and full of disposable dialogue - I'll be damned if I wasn't
entertained.

The Rock plays Chris Vaughn, a simple man who's made his way back to the old
neighborhood after serving in the military. Of course when he arrives, it's
not the same town he once knew. The old factory that provided most of the
townsfolk with work (including Chris' father) has been closed for nearly
three years. The neighborhood's biggest source of income is now supplied by
a casino owned by a shady character (Boomtown's Neal McDonnough) from Vaughns'
past. And before you can say "Can you smell what the Rock is cooking", Vaughn
finds himself engaged in a new kind of war.

Unlike the original, this Walking Tall is clearly a vehicle picture for The
Rock. Much of it is an excuse to show the famed wrestler kicking ass and
Walking Tall with his shirt off, but the guy is so damned charismatic, that
it didn't bother me in slightest. He's an incredibly likable performer and
even though this movie doesn't offer much of a build up (in fact, if you
blink you'll miss the entire film), I really found myself rooting for
Vaughn.

Not only did I find myself completely won over by The Rock in Walking Tall,
I was also immensely entertained by Johnny Knoxville who appears as,
Chris' goofy friend. While still the consummate Jackass, Knoxville seems to
have a purpose for putting himself in harm's way here. He's lively and
hilarious in this part but what I really enjoyed was the genuine chemistry
that he and The Rock share (something that seemed to be lacking between The
Rock and Seann William Scott in The Rundown).

Walking Tall was directed by Kevin Bray (All About the Benjamins), and while
it is quickly paced, a little bit of development would have been welcome.
The inevitable romance is extremely rushed, and some family friction is
touched upon but never truly explored. The movie also suffers from a lack
of a strong lead villain which is surprising given that Neal McDonnough was
so convincing as flawed DA David McNorris on NBC's recently canceled
Boomtown. This is a one note performance and from the moment he appears on
screen, it's evident that he's the bad guy. I only wish he had more
personality.

But then, Walking Tall is simple, easy-on-the-brain entertainment, and it's really all
about heroes kicking ass and taking names. I think I just happened to be in
the right mind set when I sat down to watch it (that's the only fair excuse
I can offer up for actually having a good time during this movie). I
enjoyed it in the same way I enjoyed Rowdy Herrington's "this is a dumb,
macho, gratuitously violent guy movie" masterpiece Roadhouse. It also had
hints of First Blood. But Walking Tall is far lighter than both of those
pictures. It never takes itself too seriously.

I, for one, was entertained enough to want to know more about Chris Vaughn's
background. Maybe we'll get a Rambo-like prequel in which we see Chris in action
during his tour of duty. They could call it Vaughan: Walking Tall 2. If
it's good enough for Rocky, it's good enough for The Rock.