Explosive
Summary
Walking Tall is one of my favourite Dwayne Johnson movies as it has a great cast, quick pace and plenty of awesome action, despite the PG-13 rating. The 4K looks and sounds great with enough features to be worth adding to the collection if you don’t already own the Blu-ray.
Plot: When it comes to laying down the law with a vengeance, one man can make a difference. Superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (The Rundown, The Smashing Machine) takes no prisoners as he fights for justice and crushes corruption in this bone-cracking, adrenaline-pumping action-adventure inspired by a true story! When decorated military officer Chris Vaughn (Johnson) returns to his hometown in the state of Washington to find work, he finds that the lumber mill has closed and the town’s big business is now a crime-ridden casino run by one of his old schoolmates (Neal McDonough, TV’s Band of Brothers). Aided by his loyal friend (Johnny Knoxville, TV’s Jackass) and armed with a two-by-four, Vaughn decides to take matters into his own hands and clean up the town’s corruption in this action-movie lover’s feast!
Review: It’s been several years since I last watched Walking Tall and I forgot what a cracking action picture it is; this was when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was making a name for himself as the next action star and this is still one of his best pictures. At just under 85 minutes Walking Tall is perfectly paced and packs in plenty of action with some fight scenes and an awesome shoot-out at the end. I’m surprised it had a PG-13 rating as it’s surprisingly violent however, it is mostly bloodless.
Dwayne Johnson is at his best here as the likeable Chris Vaughn, a soldier returning home only to discover his small town is not what it once was. His childhood friend Jay Hamilton (Neal McDonough) has opened up a casino and the town is now rife with drugs and crime. The old friends soon become enemies when Chris is left for dead after getting into a brawl at the casino.
Chris vows to take his town back by running for Sherriff and cleaning the place up for good.
Kevin Durand is always great value as a villain as he has the best shit eating grin in the business; he can come across as so smug which makes you hate him every moment he is on screen.
The supporting cast also includes John Beasley as Chris’s dad, Johnny Knoxville as Chris’s best friend, and Ashley Scott as the love interest, Deni. Also keep an eye out for an early role for Colby Smulders.
Special Features:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
- Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
- NEW Audio Commentary by Film Journalist Brandon Streussnig
- Audio Commentary by Star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
- Audio Commentary by Director Kevin Bray, DP Glen MacPherson and Editor Robert Ivison
- 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
- Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
- Optional English Subtitles
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
- Brand New HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
- NEW Audio Commentary by Film Journalist Brandon Streussnig
- Audio Commentary by Star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
- Audio Commentary by Director Kevin Bray, DP Glen MacPherson and Editor Robert Ivison
- Fight the Good Fight: Featurette (8:22)
- Deleted Scenes
- Alternate Ending
- Gag Reel
- Theatrical Trailer
- 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
- Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
- Optional English Subtitles
The Kino Lorber 4K has mostly the same extras as the previous Blu-ray however, there is a new commentary from Film Journalist Brandon Streussnig and the film looks and sounds better than ever. I only ever had the DVD, so this is a welcome upgrade.
Overall, Walking Tall is still one of The Rock’s best films with a rapidfire pace, plenty of action and it looks faultless on 4K. The special features may not be anything all that new but if you don’t already own it then it’s worth picking up.