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Dwayne Johnson is undeniably one of Hollywood’s most charismatic and sought-after leading men, having made his silver screen debut in the 2001 blockbuster hit The Mummy Returns, a performance that would help kickstart his lucrative and enduring acting career. The WWE wrestler-turned-action hero has appeared in an array of fan-favorite hits over the years, including Central Intelligence, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Moana, and the Fast & Furious franchise, though back in the early 2000s, he was still trying to make a name for himself and prove he meant business when it came to dominating the cinema.
In the vigilante action flick Walking Tall, Johnson appears alongside Johnny Knoxville and Neal McDonough and appears as a decorated Army veteran who returns to his small Washington town only to discover it has become overrun with corruption, violence, and drugs, making it his mission to clean up the streets and take a stand against those responsible for its fall from grace. Though Walking Tall failed to make a huge splash upon its initial release, it definitely deserves a second chance by audiences and is just waiting to be binged on Prime Video.
Walking Tall
- Release Date
-
April 2, 2004
- Runtime
-
86 minutes
- Cast
-
Dwayne Johnson
, Johnny Knoxville
, Neal McDonough
, Kristen Wilson
, Ashley Scott
, Khleo Thomas
, John Beasley
, Barbara Tarbuck
, Michael Bowen
, Kevin Durand
, Andrew Tarbet
, Patrick Gallagher
, John Stewart
, Eric Breker
, Ryan Robbins
, Michael Adamthwaite
, Darcy Laurie
, Fred Keating
, Ben Cardinal
, Birkett Turton
, Terence Kelly
, Tom Scholte
, Mark Houghton
, James Ashcroft
, Eric Keenleyside
Dwayne Johnson’s Thrilling Vigilante Action Remake
Based on the 1973 cult film of the same name, the 2004 vigilante action hit Walking Tall follows decorated U.S. Army Special Forces veteran Chris Vaughn (Dwayne Johnson) as he returns to his small hometown in Kitsap County, Washington, and discovers a lot has changed in his once peaceful community since he’s been gone. Chris learns that the long-standing local cedar mill has closed down and been replaced by a flashy casino owned by his former school friend Jay Hamilton (Neal McDonough), who is using the gambling house as a secret front for the illegal drug trade that is plaguing the town’s residents.
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Outraged by the direction his beloved home is going in, Chris decides to run for sheriff and clean up the town, putting himself at odds with Jay and his ruthless henchmen, who will stop at nothing to silence the determined veteran. Unable to turn to the corrupt police, who are also in Jay’s pocket, Chris is aided on his noble crusade by his loyal best friend Ray Templeton (Johnny Knoxville), a former addict whom he deputizes in order to eliminate the escalating violence and devastating overdoses affecting the youth.
‘Walking Tall’ Showcases Johnson’s Power & Charisma
Walking Tall was just Dwayne Johnson’s third leading role in Hollywood, as he had previously made his silver screen debut in 2001’s The Mummy Returns before headlining its spin-off The Scorpion King and the action comedy The Rundown. The electrifying remake premiered on August 2, 2004, and failed to make a massive critical and commercial impact, becoming a modest success at the box office and grossing $57.2 million against a $46 million budget but garnering less-than-glowing reviews from critics, who praised Johnson’s powerhouse performance but were unimpressed by its generic and over-the-top premise.
However, audiences were far more kind to the exciting flick than critics, awarding Walking Tall a solid B+ CinemaScore and appreciating its rip-roaring action sequences, the endearing on-screen camaraderie between Johnson and Knoxville, and the former WWE star’s undeniable charisma. The underrated gem deserves far more props than it has received since its debut nearly 21 years ago, as it’s the ultimate action extravaganza that provides fun, mindless entertainment lovers of the genre will enjoy.
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Moviegoers know exactly what to expect when it comes to watching a Dwayne Johnson film: the muscle-bound leading man will kick-butt and take names despite facing overwhelming odds, taking on one bad guy after another and delivering his own unique form of justice. Walking Tall highlights Johnson’s dazzling star power and allure as an action hero, and while its screenplay and overall predictability are nothing to write home about, it nonetheless provided a glimpse of what was to come for the then-blossoming actor.
Johnson would quickly begin churning out one box office hit after another, starring in a slew of fan favorites, including The Game Plan, Get Smart, Moana, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (among countless other knockouts) while always remaining close to his action roots and appearing in Fast Five, Jungle Cruise, Red Notice, Black Adam, and more. It’s no wonder that he is one of the most prominent and highest-paid actors in the entertainment industry, as Johnson’s movies have grossed over $3.5 billion in North America alone and a whopping $12.5 billion globally, certifying his status as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men. Stream Walking Tall on Prime Video.