For a throw-away action flick Walking Tall was damned enjoyable. I even liked Johnny Knoxville – who is turning into a first-rate sidekick – and I usually can’t stand MTV types.
In general, I wouldn’t call myself an action movie fan. I probably haven’t seen more than half a dozen Schwarzenegger films in total and of those, probably only enjoyed three or four. If, however, all the films in the genre were as good as the Rock’s flicks The Rundown and Walking Tall I could be convinced to become a fan.
I like the Rock. He’s understated, self-deprecating, polite and confident without being arrogant. Contrast that to, for example, Vin Diesel who is the opposite of all those things in addition to having a nails-on-chalkboard-y irritating voice with a soupy dago accent. Who’s the new hot action star? I’ll allow you to make that decision but think of every role you’ve seen Diesel in (except for Saving Private Ryan, the casting of a muscle-bound type was totally wrong for that flick) and put the Rock in his shoes. Who’d have done better? Thankfully, Diesel’s career seems to be sinking under the weight of his own ego and he’ll soon be relegated to the direct-to-video shelves along with Van Damme.
Hooray for the new king of throw-away popcorn fare! May he long make uselessly damned enjoyable films.
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