Rating: 
Summary: Delightful, nonsensical romp through the old West
Review: The star of this movie is Dean Martin, the lovable drunk. Wayne seems almost a spectator at times, playing the father to the rag tag bunch. The movie makes little sense and at times seems so silly as to be satirical. yes, the story movies all over the place and is essentially an assortment of skits, some good, some not. All the same, it is loads of fun, and not your usual goof ball western. The rabid dialogue of Dickens is hilariously dumb and accentuates my point-grab a six pack and enjoy a Wayne Western that does not take it self too seriously.
Rating: 
Summary: One great Western
Review: "Rio Bravo" belongs on the short list of the finest Westerns ever made. I've never been a big fan of The Duke, but I love his performance in this movie -- playful, tough, sharp-tongued, surprisingly sympathetic. Whenver I think of John Wayne (which I admit isn't all that often) I usually remember him for this role, as well as "The Searchers."This is just one of the most entertaining movies ever. It isn't a self-conscious, hyper-ironic or ground-breaking Western, a'la Sergio Leone's films, and it doesn't reconsider violence or the use of force to resolve conflict, as Eastwood did in "Unforgiven." "Rio Bravo" was made before it became fashionable to reinvent "old," "defunct" genres and comment on them. That makes it a breath of fresh air today -- something genuinely fun, an action-comedy of the old school. It sure beats the pants off a lot of contemporary movies. The plot is skillfully set up by director Howard Hawks, but the movie isn't solely his vision. I think of "Rio Bravo" as an actor's film. It belongs to Wayne, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan, Angie Dickinson, and of course Ricky Nelson. This is an excellent ensemble cast; each actor works well with his fellows, but also makes his or her own character unique and memorable. Dean Martin's Dude is one of my favorite movie characters -- melodramatic in one sense as Duke's drunken deputy, vulnerable and believable in another sense. When you look at Dean Martin's face in this movie, you get one overriding message: "God, do I need a drink!" The result isn't unintentional humor, but care and concern for the character. Dean puts it all out there, turning in a great performance. Ricky Nelson is the definition of cool as Colorado, the level-headed young drover, and Walter Brennan earns a lot of laughs as the crusty old turnkey, Stumpy. Angie Dickinson gets a meaty role as Feathers, the "scarlet woman" of questionable reputation. She and Wayne fairly sizzle in their scenes together. What everyone loves most about this movie is its sense of leisure; yeah, there's a fairly urgent storyline, but by golly, Hawks treats the scenario sort of like real life. There's time for tomfoolery, romance, beer-drinking, and song -- witness the inexplicable scene in which Nelson, Martin and Brennan sing "My Rifle, Pony and Me" and "Cindy." Great stuff! "Rio Bravo" may at first blush sound like a corny old oater. It's not. Anybody who loves movies should be familiar with this one. It's not as revolutionary as "The Wild Bunch," and won't be as well-remembered as some of John Ford's work. But if you're looking for a tremendously entertaining and well-acted film, this DVD belongs in your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Usually overrated
Review: One aspect of this movie makes it stand out: Ricky Nelson as a young gunman NOT out to prove he can out-draw the world. Otherwise, it's just one more example of the movie lawman out to be a hero. Oddly enough, considerable evidence has been recently discovered for the fact that the "lonely lawman" (vide "High Noon") was the exception, rather than the rule: more common, apparently, was the lawman who simply acted as a leader of many, instead of the sole bulwark against barbarism.
Rating: 
Summary: Slam-bang, exciting, funny. One of the all-time great wester
Review: This is just a good movie all around! One of my favs. Anyways its about Chance (John Wayne) and he is the sheriff and Dean Marten is his drunk duputy. Walter Brennan is an old coot the is cripple but plays the best part. They are out to save the town and keep the bad guys away. I wish I could give it more then 5 stars, it deserves more. You should ALL see this old time western!=)
Rating:
Summary: a very near great movie
Review: This is one of my favorite Saturday afternoon movies. You know, when you're flipping the channels looking for something good to watch. It's a great Western with plenty of action and very good acting. It starts out with a bang and ends with an even bigger bang and there isn't much time wasted in between. There's a very romantic relationship that develops between John Wayne and Angie Dickinson that I found quite suggestive for its' time. There's even some occassional comic relief. However, the tension of the conflict is present throughout the movie. The basic story line is wealthy rancher's obnoxious brother is tossed in jail. The sheriff faces quite a challenge with little help from anyone else. The wealthy rancher can buy all the gunslingers he wants in order to "free" his brother. Wayne is left with an old man (Walter Brennan) and a washed up drunk (Dean Martin). John Waynes is terrific as the no-nonse, "I'm in Charge" tough lawman. Dean Martin is very good as the drunk who pulls himself together to finally face up to himself. Walter Brennan is Walter Brennan which is meant as a compliment. John Wayne and John Ford is a terrific combination. This movie adds to the thought that John Wayne and Howard Hawks isn't too bad of a match either.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best gets EXCELLENT DVD Treatment.
Review: One of the best John Wayne movies in my opinion with lots of great action, wonderful characters, and the duke at the top of his form. And the best part is that Warner did a fantastic job on the transfer. Sound is excellent and the picture is fantastic and enhanced for widescreen, given when this film was made. This one's a no brainer. Nice work Warner! Now go get rights to McLintock so it can be done right!
Rating:
Summary: Why isn't Walter Brennan in the Cover?
Review: Classic plot, perfect cast (good&bad guys), good rythm, VERY GOOD WESTERN , or AS GOOD AS THEY WERE.
If I have to choose between "High Noon" and "Rio Bravo" guess wich I will view again..., and I like Coop's films mind...
INDISPENSABLE WESTERN IN ANY SERIOUS DVD COLLECTION (High noon belongs to another category really...).
I do not like to explain the argument but for me Walter Brennan's part in the film is ESSENTIAL and he plays it masterfully so that's why I miss him in the cover ( I think anyone could have played the rol of Ricky Nelson, as long it was young, in fashion, and could strum a guitar to sing a duo with a cool pro as Dino).
ENJOY. (They do not come like this anymore... Sorry Clint)
Rating:
Summary: The best western.......EVER!!!
Review: I thought Rio bravo was a Boring moive. but when the banging whent I loved it.I like John Wayne.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Movie!
Review: This is a great western. If you like John Wayne you will love this movie. This has John Wayne, Rickie Nelson, and Dean Martin - a great combination. I have probably watched this about 15 - 25 times and I still like it.
Rating:
Summary: Hawks and Wayne Create A Legendary Western!
Review: Howard Hawks' 'Rio Bravo' is a film so simple in appearance and execution that contemporary critics tended to brush it off as just another 'John Wayne Western', a charge they also leveled against John Ford's 'The Searchers'. In both cases, the critics misjudged films that captured the directors' talents at the apex of their careers. Certainly, no film could better be defined as 'A Howard Hawks Film' than this magnificent western! While Hawks worked in a wide variety of genres, the core of his films most often revolved around the camaraderie of friends to fulfill difficult, if not impossible tasks. This sense of loyalty and devotion made him the 'father' of what we call, today, 'buddy pictures'. The idea that a man might be deserted by those closest to him at a time of need was unconceivable, which prompted him to speak out against 'High Noon', with it's 'Man Alone' theme. His attitude was shared by John Wayne, who once called 'High Noon' the worst film his friend, Gary Cooper, ever made! Together, the pair decided to create a film that would tell a similar story on THEIR terms; the hero, here, hasn't a shortage of allies, but too MANY who are willing to risk their lives! In putting together 'Rio Bravo', Hawks reunited 'Red River' stars Wayne and Walter Brennan, and composer Dimitri Tiomkin (Legend has it that Hawks and writer Leigh Brackett originally wrote the part of drunken deputy Dude with Montgomery Clift, from 'Red River', in mind; unfortunately, Clift, whose life and career had crumbled following his near-fatal car accident, was unavailable, and Dean Martin stepped in, giving one of the finest performances of his career). Beautiful, tough, feisty females were always a staple of Hawks' films, and Angie Dickinson continued the tradition, verbally challenging Wayne repeatedly, until he finally acknowledged, by film's end, that he loved her (in a most unexpected way!) Rounding out the cast were veteran actor Ward Bond, as the 'Sacrificial Lamb', another Hawks' staple, and TV and musical star Ricky Nelson, complete with a 50's Pompadour hairdo and an acting style that could most kindly be called 'wooden', as a young stud gunslinger, to attract teenagers to the film. (It is said that Elvis Presley was the first choice for the role, but his manager, Col. Tom Parker, nixed it; what a casting coup THAT would have been!) As with all of Hawks' best work, relationships are given equal status with the plot, and each character has ample opportunity to shine in his role, while bonding with the others. A film highlight is a cozy scene in the jailhouse, where, as Wayne smiles on approvingly, Martin and Nelson warble a couple of tunes, with 'Stumpy' Brennan accompanying them on a harmonica. In the hands of a lesser director, scenes like this would seem an unnecessary distraction from the story; in Hawks' skilled hands, we hate to see the scene end! There is so much to like about this film that whole essays have been devoted to it, and it's importance, not only as quintessential Howard Hawks, but as one of the finest westerns ever made. Hawks, himself, was so pleased with the results that he 'remade' the 'Rio Bravo' story twice more, with Wayne; first, as 'El Dorado' (with Robert Mitchum taking the Martin role), then as 'Rio Lobo'. If you want to see one of the screen's greatest stars and a legendary director at 'the top of their game', or you'd just like to kick back with a classic western, complete with rip-roaring action, comedy, romance, and even a bit of toe-tapping music tossed in, look no further...'Rio Bravo' is for you!
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