Walking Tall Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Walking Tall," released under MVD Visual's Marquee Collection imprint, offers a mixed visual experience. The AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio is derived from what appears to be an older master, similar to an earlier MGM release that used the now-outdated MPEG-2 codec. While this newer release utilizes the improved AVC codec on a BD-50 disc, issues from the previous master persist, but to a lesser extent. Although the compression issues previously noted have been mitigated somewhat, there are still minor blemishes visible throughout the film. These imperfections are intermittent and a bit surprising for a film of its age. The presence of grain is noticeable, especially in outdoor scenes against bright backgrounds, lending a mildly video-like quality to the overall presentation.

Color rendition on this transfer is largely natural, with strong primary colors and accurate flesh tones. Despite this, there are moments when the palette appears variable; some outdoor scenes display vibrant blues and reds, while others lean towards a more muted, brownish tone. Contrast and black levels are generally stable and consistent, providing a good sense of depth, though occasional crush is observed in dense shadow areas. The print used also shows frequent signs of wear, such as dirt and scratches, suggesting the need for a cleaner scan and more comprehensive restoration to elevate the film's visual quality further.

In summary, while "Walking Tall" on Blu-ray does benefit from an improved codec and offers sufficient color accuracy and stable contrast, it ultimately falls short of contemporary standards due to persistent issues with grain management, minor blemishes, and overall print condition. It stands as a serviceable but flawed presentation that could greatly benefit from a new scan and detailed touch-up work.

The Blu-Ray release of "Walking Tall" distinguishes itself from the MGM version by offering both a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and an LPCM 2.0 mix in English. This dual offering enhances the audio experience significantly, with the 5.1 surround mix providing a more immersive listening experience. The thundering score and outdoor ambient environmental effects benefit greatly from the surround sound, while crowded casino scenes notably increase the depth of immersion compared to the stereo version. Both audio tracks maintain fine fidelity without any noticeable issues.

However, the DTS-HD 5.1 mix does exhibit some dated elements, often relying on a front soundstage-led approach with basic stereo panning. Conversations occasionally utilize stereo channels, providing clean separation but lacking in dynamic positioning. While the surrounds occasionally offer ambiance within casino scenes, they fall short in delivering compelling spatial audio during action-heavy moments. Dialog clarity is somewhat compromised, with a slight lack of fidelity and overall low volume levels. Furthermore, muddy LFE performance means that impactful sounds such as shotgun blasts and explosions lack the expected reverberation.

Overall, while the audio presentation for "Walking Tall" has its highlights in terms of immersion and fidelity with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 option, it does have notable shortcomings, particularly in dialog clarity and dynamic range during action sequences. Despite these limitations, the provided audio tracks remain functional and efficient for most viewers.

The Blu-ray release of "Walking Tall" boasts a variety of extras, offering insight and entertainment. The audio commentaries stand out, with Dwayne Johnson providing an engaging solo track, and a second comprehensive track by director Kevin Bray, editor Robert Ivison, and director of photography Glen Macpherson adding depth. Another highlight is a stunts-focused featurette that, despite its dated video quality, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the choreography of the action sequences. The content also includes an alternate ending, several deleted scenes, and a brief but amusing blooper reel. The user interface may present navigation issues, requiring some patience with submenu loops and unpredictable exits.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary by Star Dwayne The Rock Johnson: Solo track by Johnson.

Audio Commentary by Director Kevin Bray, Editor Robert Ivison, and Director of Photography Glen Macpherson: In-depth crew discussion.

Fight the Good Fight: Focuses on stunts.

Bloopers: Brief reel highlighting humorous moments.

Alternate Ending: The Porch: Additional ending scene.

Photo Gallery: Series of automatic advancing images.

Deleted Scenes: Three short scenes.

Trailers: Includes several MVD releases.

"Walking Tall" (2004) offers an engaging reimagining of the 1973 cult classic, shifting the narrative and locale to adapt to modern sensibilities. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, in one of his formative action roles, steps into the shoes of Chris Vaughn, a character inspired by Southern sheriff Buford Pusser but relocated to the Pacific Northwest. The film's plot transition from battling moonshiners to dismantling drug dealers and corrupt casinos echoes the evolving criminal landscape, making it more relatable for contemporary audiences. Johnson's wrestling background lends an authentic element to the high-octane action sequences, ensuring that each brawl is compellingly dynamic.

The film's lean 73-minute runtime effectively distills its essence, packing in relentless action and a vividly drawn depiction of small-town struggles. Johnson’s portrayal of a man reclaiming his community from nefarious elements taps into a nostalgic yearning for a simpler, morally clear-cut America. His charismatic presence and physical prowess anchor the narrative, making him an ideal embodiment of rugged individualism and frontier justice. Despite its sometimes stereotypical portrayals of women and starkly black-and-white moralizing, "Walking Tall" benefits from its unpretentious approach to entertainment, delivering an adrenaline-fueled spectacle that doesn't overstay its welcome.

Balancing its elements of kitschy fun with underlying themes of economic anxiety, "Walking Tall" captures a transformative vision of America through the lens of an action movie. The production effectively juxtaposes modern decay against resurrective idealism, where violence is portrayed as a necessary means to restore justice and integrity. Johnson’s visceral performance, combined with meticulously choreographed fight scenes, ensures that despite its straightforward narrative arc, "Walking Tall" remains a thoroughly enjoyable excursion into testosterone-fueled heroism and mythic American resilience.

The Blu-ray release of "Walking Tall" from the MVD Marquee Collection offers a robust package for fans of the film and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The film itself is a testosterone-fueled revenge drama, embodying a classic take-back-America narrative with extensive action sequences and raw physicality. While the video quality of this Blu-ray may only offer marginal improvements over previous releases, its true strength lies in the comprehensive audio options available and the wealth of supplementary materials included.

One highlight of this release is Johnson’s engaging commentary track, where he shares a mix of amusing anecdotes and insights tied to specific scenes, adding a layer of personal connection to the viewing experience. The deleted scenes and bloopers, though perhaps somewhat repetitive or unnecessary, provide additional content for die-hard fans. Of particular interest is the alternate ending, which offers a fascinating glimpse into potential different story paths and reveals the filmmakers' deliberative process in concluding the film.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of The Rock and/or this version of the film, this new MVD Marquee Collection version is arguably the one to get. While the video looks fairly similar to the lackluster former release (going solely by screenshots and descriptions recorded here, so caveats as needed), if arguably marginally improved, there are more audio options here and MVD has ported all of the supplements to the Blu-ray disc, making switching to the DVD unnecessary.