Walking Tall

Chris Vaughn returns home after military service expecting quiet and routine, but the town he left has been hollowed out by organized crime and crooked officials. When petty crimes and open intimidation spiral into threats against his family and neighbors, he starts pushing back with blunt, tactical force. His methods unsettle local police and put him at odds with old friends, while enemies try to silence him. As the confrontations escalate Chris balances a need for justice with the risk of becoming the very menace he opposes. It mixes action with small-town drama and personal stakes intensely.

Released in 2004, Walking Tall was directed by Kevin Bray and written by Channing Gibson, David Klass and David Levien. It's a remake of the 1973 Walking Tall, starring Dwayne Johnson, Johnny Knoxville, Neal McDonough and Ashley Scott in theaters.

Walking Tall earned moderate commercial success, drawing audiences largely because of Dwayne Johnson's rising movie profile. It opened in theaters to steady attendance but faced competition and mixed reviews, which limited its long-term box office momentum among mainstream action releases.

Though not a cultural phenomenon, the movie marked an early turning point for Dwayne Johnson, helping him move from wrestling fame into leading man status in Hollywood action films. Johnny Knoxville's involvement added an unlikely comedic edge, and the remake sparked renewed interest in the original 1970s Walking Tall film.

Critics reacted unevenly, and audience ratings sit around 6.3 out of 10 on user polls, reflecting divided opinion. Reviewers praised Johnson's physical presence but questioned the script's depth. Major themes include local corruption, personal responsibility, and how far someone will go to protect family and community, and moral cost too.