The Rock, perhaps better known for his wrestling for the World Wrestling Federation, and also known for his acting in The Mummy Returns and The Scorpion King, plays a Special Forces soldier returning home after 8 years away. His sleepy little mill town has undergone significant change while he was off fighting and the town hasn?t been improved. The mill has been shut down and a flashy Casino now dominates the economic life of the town.

It doesn?t take our hero long to figure out that things need to improve as his former mates and former enemies are even further apart, socially and economically. The owner of the Casino offers the hand of friendship but his security henchmen attack The Rock after he spots the crooked dice game. Left to die with a series of razor slashes across his body The Rock eventually recovers and swears to rid the town of the bad guys. But not before he goes back to the Casino and wrecks the joint after he finds out the security men are selling drugs to kids.

After going to trial and winning the case The Rock decides to run for Sheriff and wins, much to the consternation of the crooked former Sheriff who attacks the Police Station in a hail of bullets. Fortunately The Rock and his girlfriend manage to outwit the bad guys and save the day, but not before The Rock has to rescue his family and beat the head bad guy.

I went after this movie because I had seen The Rock in the other mentioned above where I thought his roles suited him admirably. They were more tongue in cheek and less demanding so it was a pity this didn?t live up to expectations. It was not all his fault as the script is almost unbelievable in the true sense of the word and he has to battle with some really bad lines and scenes. The Rock will not be putting this forward as his finest role ever and I hope he goes back to what he does better.

THE EXTRAS

The sleeve of the promotional disc mentioned that there was Audio Commentary by the Director and crew available along with The Rock?s version of commentary. It also mentioned that there were deleted scenes, bloopers, an alternate ending, a stunts featurettes and a photo gallery. Despite my best efforts I couldn?t find any of them on the promotional disc but I am sure they would be a valuable bonus on the real thing.

CONCLUSION

When a Special Forces soldier returns home to his small town after eight years away it doesn?t take long to work out that things have changed, and not for the better. It takes some heavy action from The Rock to win back control of the town from the bad guys and win his girl?s heart.