Walking Tall: The Payback

Released direct-to-video in 2007 and directed by Tripp Reed, "Walking Tall: The Payback" is a rural crime drama/thriller starring Kevin Sorbo as Nick Prescott, a man who returns to his Texas hometown where he discovers the quiet community overrun with drugs & crime and is left with no choice but to take justice into his own hands, even if it means putting on a badge. Yvette Nipar plays the Dallas FBI agent who assists him while Richard Dillard & Gail Cronauer play his parents. A.J. Buckley appears as the main villain and Dell Johnson the town deputy. Jenny Shakeshaft is also on hand as a waitress whom Nick knows in the town. Several other cast members play heavies.

This is a nominal sequel to 2004's "Walking Tall" with The Rock. The location and characters are totally different; only the plot is basically the same. While the O4 movie is the technically better production, since it was released theatrically, they're both of about the same general viewing quality. The main difference is that the plot in "The Payback" pays less attention to the drama of the small town and more on the rural mob and their elaborate schemes. Like the O4 movie, this is by-the-numbers but still worthwhile if you're in the mood for a rural crime drama/thriller.

The film runs 88 minutes and was shot in Waxahachie and Dallas, Texas.

GRADE: C+ or B- (5.5/10)

I really liked the first of the new Walking Tall movies starring The Rock. That meant I had some expectations for this one, even though a guy I had never heard of before, Kevin Sorbo, had taken over the lead. I was very disappointed. I don't think it was Sorbo's fault, really. The problem was a total lack of action. The little action it had, wasn't anywhere near good. The movie was simply BOOOOOOORING, moreso than 95 % of the other action movies out there. I just don't get how they managed to destroy such a promising and entertaining franchise like this. I have absolutely no rush in watching the third movie after this kind of crap.

I saw an advanced screening of this movie and it definitely isn't as good as the first one with The Rock (Dwayne Johnson). The first one was a really good movie. Johnny Knoxville made the movie funny and the villain was very cool and a good actor. Not to mention The Rock, just about anything he's in is a good movie. I didn't think the sequel was going to be good but I figured it would at least be a little interesting because it's the sequel to an awesome movie. But I was disappointed. It's very boring, hardly any action, the acting definitely isn't the best, and it's really country. It's just like a long episode of Chuck Norris except, I've seen episodes of Chuck Norris that are more interesting than this movie. I wouldn't pay more than five dollars for this movie. maybe ten but i would recommend renting it before you buy it. I watched this movie out of curiosity, because i liked the first one. If you liked the first one too, then you'll be disappointed with this one and it has nothing to do with the first one so I wouldn't buy this movie if I were you unless you find it on the clearance or sales rack.

Kevin Sorbo is Great in 'Walking Tall: The Payback'. The Well-Known Star kicks-butt & plays his part stylishly. As a film, however, this sequel has some merits.

'Walking Tall: The Payback' Synopsis: A man goes back to his hometown that is now overrun with crime and single-handedly takes justice into his own hands.

'Walking Tall: The Payback' is strictly time-pass entertainment. Its meant for a certain audience, and that section of audience, won't be disappointed. But, I must admit, I enjoyed The Rock's 'Walking Tall' much more.

Tripp Reed's Direction is ordinary. The Screenplay offers some good moments. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are fine.

On the whole, A Decent Flick, with a Stylish performance by Kevin Sorbo.

The Shelton County Sheriff Prescott goes to Dallas seeking help from the FBI against the gang leaded by the criminal Harvey Morris (A.J. Buckley) that is forcing the locals to sell their businesses and lands using violence. Prescott is murdered on the road by Harvey and his men that simulate a car accident and this incident triggers a series of murders in the community. Nick Prescott (Kevin Sorbo) decides to assume the position of his father and together with Deputy Hap Worrell (Dell Johnson), they try to find evidences to incriminate Harvey, supported by FBI agent Kate Jensen (Yvette Nipar). However, when Nick sees that the system is absolutely corrupted, he becomes a vigilante bringing justice with his own hands.

"Walking Tall: The Payback" has a promising beginning in spite of a cliché story of bad guys dominating a peaceful community. However, in a certain moment, the escalation of violence becomes exaggerated with many deaths and even in a corrupted system would have called the attention of the government. Further, the plot is not well resolved since the dirty entrepreneur of construction and his right hand Lou Dowdy end the story in the shadow and without any further reference. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Com as Próprias Mãos 2: O Troco" ("With the Own Hands 2: The Payback")