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Walking Tall

  • 20042004
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
75K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,896
415
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Dwayne Johnson in Walking Tall (2004)
HV-post
Play trailer1:21
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Crime

A former U.S. soldier returns to his hometown to find it overrun by crime and corruption, which prompts him to clean house.A former U.S. soldier returns to his hometown to find it overrun by crime and corruption, which prompts him to clean house.A former U.S. soldier returns to his hometown to find it overrun by crime and corruption, which prompts him to clean house.

IMDb RATING
6.2/10
75K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,896
415
  • Director
    • Kevin Bray
  • Writers
    • Mort Briskin(earlier screenplay)
    • David Klass(screenplay)
    • Channing Gibson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Dwayne Johnson
    • Ashley Scott
    • Johnny Knoxville
Top credits
  • Director
    • Kevin Bray
  • Writers
    • Mort Briskin(earlier screenplay)
    • David Klass(screenplay)
    • Channing Gibson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Dwayne Johnson
    • Ashley Scott
    • Johnny Knoxville
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 237User reviews
    • 121Critic reviews
    • 44Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Walking Tall
    Trailer 1:21
    Walking Tall
    Walking Tall
    Trailer 1:21
    Walking Tall

    Photos115

    Dwayne Johnson in Walking Tall (2004)
    Ashley Scott in Walking Tall (2004)
    Michael Bowen and Dwayne Johnson in Walking Tall (2004)
    Kevin Bray, Johnny Knoxville, and Dwayne Johnson in Walking Tall (2004)
    Dwayne Johnson and Khleo Thomas in Walking Tall (2004)
    Dwayne Johnson in Walking Tall (2004)
    Dwayne Johnson in Walking Tall (2004)
    Dwayne Johnson and Neal McDonough in Walking Tall (2004)
    Johnny Knoxville in Walking Tall (2004)
    Dwayne Johnson and Khleo Thomas in Walking Tall (2004)
    Dwayne Johnson in Walking Tall (2004)
    Johnny Knoxville and Dwayne Johnson in Walking Tall (2004)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dwayne Johnson
    Dwayne Johnson
    • Chris Vaughnas Chris Vaughn
    Ashley Scott
    Ashley Scott
    • Denias Deni
    Johnny Knoxville
    Johnny Knoxville
    • Ray Templetonas Ray Templeton
    Michael Bowen
    Michael Bowen
    • Sheriff Stan Watkinsas Sheriff Stan Watkins
    Neal McDonough
    Neal McDonough
    • Jay Hamiltonas Jay Hamilton
    John Beasley
    John Beasley
    • Chris Vaughn Sr.as Chris Vaughn Sr.
    Barbara Tarbuck
    Barbara Tarbuck
    • Connie Vaughnas Connie Vaughn
    Kristen Wilson
    Kristen Wilson
    • Michelle Vaughnas Michelle Vaughn
    Khleo Thomas
    Khleo Thomas
    • Pete Vaughnas Pete Vaughn
    Kevin Durand
    Kevin Durand
    • Boothas Booth
    Andrew Tarbet
    Andrew Tarbet
    • Jimmyas Jimmy
    Patrick Gallagher
    Patrick Gallagher
    • Keithas Keith
    John Stewart
    John Stewart
    • Rustyas Rusty
    Eric Breker
    Eric Breker
    • Deputy Ralstonas Deputy Ralston
    Ryan Robbins
    Ryan Robbins
    • Travisas Travis
    Michael Adamthwaite
    Michael Adamthwaite
    • Burkeas Burke
    Darcy Laurie
    Darcy Laurie
    • Smittyas Smitty
    Fred Keating
    Fred Keating
    • Doctoras Doctor
    • Director
      • Kevin Bray
    • Writers
      • Mort Briskin(earlier screenplay)
      • David Klass(screenplay)
      • Channing Gibson(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The hard-boiled former U.S. Special Forces veteran and decorated sergeant, Chris Vaughn, is in for a rude awakening, as his peaceful hometown has changed radically. With the old cedar mill gone out of business for good--and a garish gambling house opened instead, promoting drugs and violence thanks to his old high-school nemesis, Jay Hamilton--Chris will have no other choice but to take matters into his own hands as the town's new sheriff. Now, Jay's murderous henchmen have no place to hide--and with a primitive and lethally efficient four-by-four fence post as his weapon of choice--Chris is determined to clean up the vice and the corruption in his beloved birthplace. Who will dare to stop Chris, the furious one-man-army? —Nick Riganas
    • pole dancing
    • stripper
    • hixploitation
    • weapon
    • broken bone
    • 180 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Stand up, fight back, walk tall.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Crime
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense violence, sexual content, drug material and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      At the beginning when Chris Vaughn asks the sheriff what happened to the former sheriff it is said that the guy was a great man but they found one day he had mysteriously skidded off a deserted road and died hitting a tree. This is a reference to how the real Buford Pusser died.
    • Goofs
      In the hospital, and in the courtroom, Chris can be seen to have huge scars across his stomach and chest, all the way up his right shoulder. When Deni and Chris take off their shirts in the police station, Chris has no scars.
    • Quotes

      Chris Vaughn: Get your tail-lights fixed, sir.

      Jay Hamilton: What's wrong with my tail-lights?

      Chris Vaughn: [Vaughn smashes the tail-lights with a 4X4] They're broken.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening statement: Inspired By A True Story
    • Alternate versions
      The DVD includes deleted scenes and an alternate ending.
    • Connections
      Featured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: The Rock/Colin Quinn/The Sleepy Jackson (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Midnight Rider
      Written by Gregg Allman and Robert Payne (as Robert Kim Payne)

      Performed by Gregg Allman

      Courtesy of Universal Records

      Under License from Universal Music Enterprises

    User reviews237

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    An enjoyable action film, but it felt a bit thin
    Walking Tall is The Rock's fourth foray into major motion pictures, and different turn then his previous three trips to the box office. What separates 'Walking Tall' from his other films to date is The Rock is left alone as the sole 'draw' of this film, without a major franchise (The Mummy Returns, Scorpion King) or other star power (The Rundown with Sean William Scott and Christopher Walken) to draw an audience. Is it a success?

    Yes and no.

    Overall, it's an enjoyable action film with good a plot, decent characters and acting, and some hard-hitting action sequences. It centres on Chris Vaughn (The Rock), returning home from the Army after many years of service, only to realize it isn't the place he left all those years ago. A former friend and casino owner Jay Hamilton (Neal McDonough) controls much of the town through gambling, prostitution, and drugs. After Vaughn is attacked in the Casino, and his nephew overdoses on drugs, he teams with his best friend Ray (Johnny Knoxville), becomes the town's Sheriff, and goes about trying to set things right.

    It is The Rock's movie first and foremost, and his natural charisma and personality are what carries the movie at its core. The Rock plays Chris Vaughn and delivers as well as can be expected, after four films he is definitely looking more in his element. The Rock is supported wonderfully by the surprising Johnny Knoxville (of Jackass fame) who turns in a wonderfully solid and funny performance as Ray, Vaughn's best friend and later deputy. Neal McDonough plays the main villain of the picture, and although he doesn't have much to work with outside of being just "the bad guy", he handles it well, and is matched well against The Rock.

    This movie is decidedly 'heavier' then Rock's previous outings, dealing with more significant topics like prostitution and drugs, which gives it a more serious edge. It certainly doesn't feel like a 'fun' film, like all of The Rock's other movies to date.

    The action scenes are solid, and are a firm connection to the plot. Unlike Rock's previous films, the fight scenes are more traditional 'realistic' looking fights. That being said, for action junkies there's definitely something here for you, with The Rock getting into it with his hands, and guns, there's definitely something for everyone.

    That said, I felt Walking Tall was a little bit thin. First and foremost, it ran at a meagre 85 minutes, which was simply not enough time for a movie like this. Although all the necessary plot points were properly established, I felt the movie needed another 20 minutes or so to `breath'. Everything progresses logically, just much too quickly to build the level of suspense and anticipation I think the movie was capable of. As a result, leading up to the climax of the movie, it almost feels like a race to the finish. More character development and background was definitely warranted, as well as greater explanation on certain plot points.

    I felt that this was a movie that a studio may have cut for time reasons or ratings (it also felt like it was being squeezed into PG-13), and if that were the case, I'd love to see the full version. I feel it would be a much more complete film, with a better build up, therefore making the payoff mean all that much more.

    Overall, I enjoyed Walking Tall, and would recommend it to anyone despite its faults. The Rock is being championed as the next big action star, and I have to agree, he has the charisma, looks and moves to make it far, with Walking Tall being a major 'step' in getting him there.
    helpful•53
    18
    • SurlyBastard
    • Mar 27, 2004

    FAQ2

    • Is this a remake?
    • Is this film based on a true story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 2, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Khi Cựu Binh Trở Về
    • Filming locations
      • Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • Hyde Park Entertainment
      • Mandeville Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $46,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $46,437,717
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,501,114
      • Apr 4, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $57,223,890
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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