User reviews

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")

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.

Actually, this movie wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. But still, don't go and expect a grandiose masterwork of cinema history. The movie was adequately entertaining, although it was a mediocre result. But for what it was, it didn't fare that badly.

The story is about Nick (played by Kevin Sorbo) who returns to his hometown to find it terrorized by a small group of thugs, and as his father dies in a mysterious accident, Nick decides to become the new Sheriff in town and clean out the criminals.

Yep, fairly generic and simple storyline, as seen in many other similar movies. But it was still entertaining enough to watch. Was it predictable? You bet! Kevin Sorbo actually did a good job in this movie, and he does have some acting talent, just a shame that he will forever be branded as Hercules. A.J. Buckley (who played Harvey Morris - the main bad guy) was also doing a good job with his role, and he had an aura of confidence that really added to the movie.

For an action movie, though, the movie was scarce on action sequences, which did drag the overall enjoyment of the movie down. It was a shame, because a bit more action would have been warmly welcomed.

A woodenly acted unnecessary remake of a remake of a much MUCH better film, This Kevin Serbo helmed straight to DVD action film sees fit to throw every available cliché at the audience apparently in order to pummel them into submission. Sorbo plays Nick, a sheriff returning home looking for vengeance after some local thug kills his father. Why this is billed as Walking Tall 2, I haven't a clue as it has nothing to do with The Rock film and even less to do with the classic original '70's trilogy. To make matters worse the acting's more wooden then Buford Pusser's fabled 2 by 4. A sequel was shot back-to-back with this one and I can say with all confidence that i'll definitely be skipping that likely travesty. Even a huge Sorbo fan such as myself does have his limits.

My Grade: D

The opening scenes gave hope... but those hopes were soon diminished. The explosion at the gas station made you believe that this would be packed with the action expected to carry such a lame script. It also appeared that there were multiple crews working on the set because there was a clear difference in the film quality between scenes. Some were very clear and framed well while others were 'over cranked' and too soft. Shooting night for day is so obvious and such a bad idea that it distracted from the scene many times. A.J. Buckley is the only reason to sit through this disaster. He was awesome! Sorbos stunt double for the horse riding scene was so obviously shorter and fatter with a terrible wig on that it made me laugh. The final scene was nice...lot's of really good explosions and good action but that wasn't enough to make you not regret wasting a coupon on this rental.

Walking Tall: The Payback: 7 out of 10: Kevin Sorbo takes over the Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson's role as a man who is minding his own business but eventually is pushed too far in this direct to video spin-off.

You know this is a good movie. Not perfect by any means and as predictable as all get out but it is actually good. Or to put it another way, it is much better than a direct to video retelling of Walking Tall starring Kevin Sorbo has any right to be. Good acting, good music, and a decent script. Who would have thought it?

The Good: There are some outstanding performances in Walking Tall. A.J. Buckley is a proper, well-written villain. A lot of "better" movies could take some pointers from his performance. Another standout is Jennifer Sipes as the diner waitress who gives a very good performance in an admittedly underwritten role.

There are also decent action beats that are grounded in our reality. Walking Tall has a good pace and keeps the action and occasionally tension building. The movie, to its credit, also has some intelligent twists that make following the otherwise by the numbers plot rewarding.

The Bad: Walking Tall's lower budget does occasionally rear its ugly head. Never more so than during a funeral scene that is all sorts of wrong considering the character it is for. Not to mention none of the characters good or bad seem to possess cell phones to call each other for assistance.

In addition, while I praise some twists and a couple of well-orchestrated scenes, this is a very by the numbers Walking Tall/ Death Wish style film. It is so by the numbers I am quite surprised they didn't give Sorbo a dog for the bad guys to kill.

The Ugly: Kevin Sorbo and Jennifer Sipes have some really good chemistry together. They make sense as a couple and thematically their relationship adds a lot to the movie. Or it would have if she was Sorbo's love interest. For reasons, I cannot begin to fathom the screenwriters saddle Sorbo with FBI agent (and world's worst mother) Yvette Nipar. They have zero chemistry and they don't even live in the same county. I am not sure if the screenwriters felt that a diner waitress was not good enough for Sorbo's horse rancher or that Sooba would not be attracted to a sexy blonde twentysomething who adores him and as a result gave him a more age and employment appropriate love interest.

In Conclusion: I had a lot of fun with this movie. It admittedly never went beyond a good time. I doubt I will recall having seen it a year from now. All that said it is better than it had any right to be. Good job by all involved.

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.

While I have witnessed many stirring performances in my time, the thespianic masterpiece from the bartender was truly worth $18.44 paid to Wal-Mart. His performance alone saved the entire film for me, who was that handsome devil? As far as the other actors go - Dell Johnson, the weather worn deputy was equally great in his role. As well, Mitch the barber, played by Brad Leland, was strong yet sympathetic. Both performances were powerful while remaining fresh and balanced. The overall look of the film was dark, saturated and very cinematic. The chase scene was also dynamic but it seemed like something might have been left out? Overall While Sorbo holds the film together, he can't quite match the powerhouse performance by that bartender!

the film was so grainy it looked like a print from 1974...there were 3 action scenes in the movie totaling about 6 minutes...you rent these movies to see ass-kicking not a dreadful story about the death of small-town America. The reason the Rock can carry movies is because he has a personality...he is this big guy with vulnerability. he can actually act and he certainly is believable as an ass-kicker. Sorbo was horrible...he may be big but he has no presence..he couldn't scare Pauly Shore. They actually made Walking Tall 3...my God, at least Seagal would be worth watching... hit the roids Sorbo, you blow. Next time at least get a villain who weighs more than 150 pounds and increase the budget to 50 grand.

Sure this isn't the 50 million dollar Rock version but for a low budget DVD this is a solid rental.

I liked that most of the cast were unknowns, it gave the film authenticity. There isn't a ton of action but there are some genuinely tense moments. I haven't seen Kevin Sorbo in much besides Hercules and I was pleasantly surprised how convincing he was in this film. The bad guy, AJ Buckley is nasty and has some great moments. You really hate him and want Sorbo to kick his ass.

Overall I thought it was a good underdog story that's very entertaining. Rent it.

Not bad. Just need better editing and could've done without the incompetent FBI Crapola. But it was a good solid flick. Never even knew these Walking Talls existed. Off to see Lone Justice now.

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.

wow this one was pretty bad,, i mean it wasn't the worst i've ever seen probalby 20 worse than this,, but it's very low on my chart, this movies does such a disservice to the character of Bufford Pusser, Kevin Sorbo, where did they find this guy,, Dwayne Johnson,, the Rock was way better and at least in that movie they kept to the original storyline as much as possible, this on veers off into so many directions, i just don't get it,, problem with Hollywood, one movie is a success so they gotta make more, i mean enough is enough, they should have got a better actor,, seagal , stallone, statham,, i was thoroughly disappointed with this one, and wish i never would have bought it.

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)

Always liked the Vengeance and the Justice received films. Because it seems like the good always seems at the ends of the evil. There's just too many of the good guys never win stuffs!

Also the systems don't seem to protect the righteous innocents!

So, just like the original one from the 70s, in the end, after many wrongs, the good gets to set it right!

Very simply - if you liked the first, you should like this one, it's got more violence, more vulgarity, more plot, and more Kevin Sorbo - to put it another way, it's just way better.

In relation to the first movie - Kevin Sorbo seems like a much more down-to-earth, everyday hero, not a cartoonish superhero; A.J. Buckley is a more down-to-earth, everyday villain, not a cartoonish supervillain. The motive for revenge is better and more believable, a bit more than someone sold drugs to a kid. Sorbo (and everyone else) has more experience acting than The Rock (not that I don't like The Rock), and it shows.

There are a lot of negative reviews for this movie but for the life of me I don't know why. Ignore them, take this simple advice - if you liked the first movie, watch this. If you liked Payback, watch this. If you liked The Brave One, watch this. If you like revenge movies, watch this. If you like Kevin Sorbo, watch this. If none of those apply, skip this movie, and spare it another unfair negative review.

All the mileage that could have been gotten from the Buford Pusser story was already gleaned back in the 70s. The Payback is one of two films Kevin Sorbo did with a Walking Tall light plot.

Kevin's back from the army and a pair of no good brothers A.J.Morris and Bentley Mitchum are running things with some organized crime backing. They're acquiring businesses and property with intimidation and worse.

We never learn just what the end game is for the brothers in this film, a big weakness.

Not anything close to the Walking Tall plots from the 70s.

Saw this movie and loved it. Without the use of big actors and actresses this movie definitely stand on its own. By now one thing the viewers must realize that this movie has nothing to do with the other walking tall movie. AND YES the walking tall movie with THE ROCK was also changed, which has nothing to do with the original walking tall. so please stop complaining.

Kevin Sorbo definitely does an exceptional job. The one thing that helped the movie is using not so famous actor and actresses other than Sorbo of course. This brought out better acting skills and more, which this movie needed. It wasn't just a hack n slash movie. There was good story, good drama, good action and good acting. AJ Buckley plays one of those perfect bad guys.

This is one of those movies that you can watch many times.

Awesome, wonderful movie, finally showing that yes, the US film industry still knows how to make them. And demonstrating clearly that good movies are not made with big budgets, big names or big egos - they're made with good actors and brains.

The movie picks up all you expect from the genre, while sidestepping just about every cliché-trap by turning almost all scenes into surprising, amazingly well-written, well-played and well-shot little jewels that somehow still go well together to form a perfect necklace. It allows itself to start at a slow pace, taking its time to develop the setting, plot and characters, picking up speed as it moves along into a quite furious show-down.

If you're into country-music - the soundtrack is also quite worth while.

And the actors: from Sorbo's compellingly commanding performance, proving that he can carry just about every part he accepts with amazing ease - making it his own in the very first minute he appears on screen, AJ Buckley's scary and realistic portray of the villain, Yvette Nipar's reserved charm and down to Mitchum's weak run-along and David Frey's annoying and really bad 'bad boy', they all deliver a superb job indeed.

If you like the old 'High Noon'-like western style, if you're missing Eastwood's spaghetti-heroes, if you enjoy a classical, well-told tale, if you have lately experienced nostalgia for Steven Spielberg's 'Duell'... this is the movie to see.

I thought this follow-on to the Walking Tall series was well done. The movie was permeated by good actors doing a great job. As a boy I lived in Texas for about three years in a small town called Ozona, Texas and the movie all most took me back to those days to that small town where boys over 8 were trying a "chew" and the local dinner and barber shop made you feel like you were home. You know when I watch a movie I'm always looking for new talent that I have not seen before. The waitress (Krystal) did a wonderful job, but I've not seen her before and hope to see her again. She's obviously attractive, and this Yellow Rose did West Texas proud. In addition I'm so glad that Kevin ditched the 2x4 and came at his part in his own unique way. Great Job!!

So, what I gotta say. There were three movies named "walking tall" back to the 70's, dedicated the cherished memory of Sheriff Buford Pusser, God bless his soul. Good old touching movies. And there was a re-make of Walking Tall in 2004, that one with some guy called "The Rock" playing main character (one of the worst movies I ever saw). So, after watching this movie of 2007 I have to say that it's a even a greater pity that movie with "The Rock" guy was ever created. Because only THIS one could be called as a worthy continuer of "Walking Tall" series. It has a genuine atmosphere, excellent colors, good acting and a lot of sincerity. It even has some traces of film-noir, and that is especially good. Honest and sincere movie about good and evil ones.

i hired this movie when i found out Kevin Sorbo was in it and only remembered him from the legend of hercules TV series. i watched this and i found this one to be better than The Rock's one.

the movie isn't just a hack slash seeking revenge movie, has its fair share of drammatical points as well.

i found the movie had a much stronger storyline to it and way better acting. Kevin Sorbo is a very good actor and does a great job. another upside of this movie is the use of not very big actors, which i find ads to the plus side of this movie. A.J Buckley did extremely well as the bad guy in this movie.

i found this better in everyway. you cannot go wrong with this.