Deadman Walkin Tall

Okay, sorry about the awful title. I was trying to creatively tie together the two films I saw this weekend. Obviously, I saw The Rock's new film, Walkin Tall, and the deadman would be Hellboy.
First, let's get to the spectacular genre film of the weekend. Hellboy is based on a comic book created by Miuke Mingola and directed by Guillermo del Toro. del Toro directed the wonderful Blade II, starring Ron Perlman, who stole the show, and here had the chance to prove his leading man status. Granted, Perlman was buried under some kick ass make-up the entire movie.
The basic plot follows the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, a secret division of the FBI. In 1944, they witness the Nazis trying to destroy the world via a portal which would unleash an apocolypse. The BPRD stops them, and recovers a single demon released. They raise him as their own and he becomes a demon hunter. Along for the ride is telepathic mer-man, Abe Sapien and telepyretic Liz Sherman. When we see them, we find out that the forces that brought Hellboy to Earth are back, and trying to complete the job.
Despite being reported dead, the lead villian is Gregori Rasputin, and a knife-wielding, also dead, Cronin. He is the really cool villian. Anyway, Hellboy almost trades the entire world for Liz, who he loves. But, he changes his mind, and saves the day.
This was actually a cool ride. All the effects are efortlessly done, and del Toro keeps a good pace throughout. And Perlman, he gets better with every role. This may be the role that pushes him from character actor to full-time leading man. Although, I'm not sure he would go for that. He seems to prefer the background. The entire cast is well-rounded, and it moves logically enough through the plot. If I was a fan of the comic book, I probably would be that much more stoked, but it still entertained. Its getting a 7.

More on the reality plane, the other movie I saw was Walkin Tall, staring none other than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Its a remake of a Joe Don Baker film from the 70s, which in turn was based on true events. The Rock plays Chris Vaughn, a special forces vet coming home after 8 years. He returns to find that the lumber mill is closed and a casino has moved in, one which is corrupt and selling drugs on the side. The owner, Jay Hamilton, is a slimy weasel who owned the lumber mill and closed it the second he inherited it.
Anyway, after he causes a ruckuss in the casino, Vaughn is cut-up and left for dead. The police do nothing, and Vaughn resigns himself to just being pissed off. Then, his nephew nearly overdoses on cyestal meth bought at the casino. Well, Vaughn goes ballistic, and destroys the casino. He gets off on charges after an impassioned plea. Then, he wins the election for sherriff.
He and his new deputy, played by Johnny Knoxville, then go around sniffing for drugs. That's when the casino kingpin attack. They take on Vaughn at the sherriff's office, and Knoxville at Vaughn's home. After some nifty shooting, the good guys win. Then, Vaughn goes after Hamilton and they, naturally, fight to the end. That's when Hamilton is arrested and the town is saved.
This one is a little less over-the-top than The Rock's previous film, The Rundown. However, it is no less entertaining. The Rock carries this movie well, especialy since his co-stars have dipped in listing. The heavy, instead of Christopher Walken, is Neal McDonough. I know him best as Lt. Hawk from Star Trek: First Contact. And his sidekick is Johnny Knoxville, best known for Jackass. Although, Knoxville is quite good in this, and now that acting seems to be his new priority, I could get to like him.
All in all, this was an entertaining film, and I wasn't dissapointed at all. It bodes well for The Rock, and his burgeoning second career. I'm looking forward to his next rumored project, Spyhunter, based on the video game of the same name. Its getting a 7 as well, and its been a solid weekend.

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