“Walking Tall,” helmed by Kevin Bray, is a rough action movie starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Chris Vaughn, a U.S. Special Forces operative who comes back to his hometown, which is crawling with crime. Discovering that it is now controlled by a casino owned by his high-school nemesis, Vaughn turns vigilante sheriff, bent on taking back his town.
The movie rings with the themes of justice and bravery, and Vaughn’s determination and loyalty to his heritage are inspiring as he stands up to evil with a simple weapon—a fence post. Johnson acts well, and the action is intense and compelling, though some of the characters are poorly developed and the story at times feels formulaic.
In spite of its dependence on worn-out vigilante cliches and a few pacing problems, “Walking Tall” is still a stirring empowerment thrill ride that encourages people to fight against corruption. It is a good bet for action aficionados seeking an old-fashioned revenge tale powered by a larger-than-life hero.
