WALKING TALL (2004)

MORGAN'S RATING

When injustice comes to his small town in the form of a gang of wild outlaws, Chris Vaughn wreaks vengeance, with a four-foot-long 2-by-4 in his hand, and righteousness in his heart. The story starts as Vaughn returns home to his country after time overseas fighting in the war to find that his formely tranquil hometown is now besieged by social plights like drugs, outbreaks of violence and a general feeling of malaise and terror. Vaughn soon realizes it's time to bust some heads with a very hard piece of wood.

Dwayne Johnson (Chris Vaughn), Neal McDonough (Jay Hamilton, Jr.), Johnny Knoxville (Ray Templeton), John Beasley (Chris Vaughn, Sr.), Barbara Tarbuck (Connie Vaughn), Kristen Wilson (Michelle Vaughn), Khleo Thomas (Pete Vaughn), Ashley Scott (Deni), Michael Bowen (Sheriff Stan Watkins), Kevin Durand (Booth), Andrew Tarbet (Jimmy), Jon Stewart (Rusty), Eric Breker (Deputy Ralston), Ryan Robbins (Travis), Michael Adamthewaite (Burke), Darcy Laurie (Smitty), Fred Keating (Doctor), Ben Cardinal (Michelle's Partner), Kett Turton (Kenner), Terence Kelly (Judge L. Powell), Tom Scholte (Merle Crowe), Mark Houghton (Prosecutor), James Ashcroft (Bailiff), Eric Kennleyside (Dan Stadler), Aaron Douglas (Casino Stickman), Michael Soltis (Casino Worker), April Telek (Casino Waitress), Sandra Steier (Addict Mother), Ben Cotton (Drug Dealer), Cobie Smulders (Exotic Beauty).

ONE MAN WILL STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Kevin Bray. WRITERS: Channing Gibson, David Klass, Brian Koppelman and David Levien. PRODUCERS: Ashok Amritraj, Jim Burke, Lucas Foster and David Hoberman.  ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Marcienne Friesland. CO-PRODUCER: Bill Bannerman. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Keith Samples. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Graeme Revell (score) and Tree Adams (songs). DISTRIBUTOR: MGM

QUOTES

Chris Vaughn: Get your trail-light fixed. Jay Hamilton, Jr.: What's wrong with my tail-lights? [smashes the tail-light with a 2X4] Chris Vaughn: It's broken.

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: April 2nd, 2004 (USA) DVD RELEASE DATE: September 28th, 2004 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $15.5 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $46.3 million (USA) BUDGET: $46 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: June 2003 -- September 2003 - When Dwayne Johnson smashes out the taillight on the Porsche, it was a mistake -- he wasn't actually supposed to do that to the real car which was on loan to the set. After smashing it in, the director and crew were completely silent. Johnson said, "I wasn't supposed to do that, was I?"...silence..."Did we just buy this car?" There was a slight pause as the director checked with someone on the set..."Yes."

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"If The Rock weren't such a fundamentally genial screen presence, this short, stripped-down revenge drama might leave a sour aftertaste." -- Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

"It's certainly a busy little movie, although one of it makes much sense." -- Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

"The image of the Rock standing tall in the poster for Walking Tall, hefty piece of lumber delicately poised to decimate the ungodly, is powerful and persuasive. Too bad you can't stay quite the same for the film." -- Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

"One mediocre, ploddingly predictable film, loaded down with cheesy Hollywood tactics." -- Desson Thomson, Washington Post

"As remakes go, Walking Tall exemplifies the dumbing down of stupidity." -- Jan Stuart, Newsday

"Don't go in expecting much and you'll have fun." -- M.E. Russell, Oregonian

"This Walking Tall loses in depth what it gains in star power." -- Lisa Schwarzbaum, E.W.