Howard Hawks’ tough-guy movie has more positives than negatives. Rio Bravo was made by Howard Hawks as a reaction to what he considered a lack of masculinity in Gary Cooper's well-regarded High Noon. It contains flashes of genuine quality, though they are unfortunately accompanied by weaknesses that don’t seem characteristic of Hawks’ usual style. The story is straightforward but works well, with our outnumbered protagonists (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan & Ricky Nelson) protecting a jail from a group attempting to free an inmate. Even just hearing that sounds impressive, but the film takes nearly 100 minutes before reaching the excitement of the siege, and even considering the good character development, it feels slow and occasionally borders on being overly indulgent. The casting of Ricky Nelson—something now widely considered one of cinema’s worst decisions—was purely a marketing tactic to attract teenage fans who were listening to his popular songs at the time. To be fair to Hawks, he quickly realized that acting wasn't Nelson’s strong suit and gave him very few lines as a result. Another drawback is Angie Dickinson in the female lead; she seems awkward and inexperienced, like sushi on a plate. However, the film’s strengths ensure it remains memorable. Wayne has an undeniable charisma and feels authentic, while Martin shines as a drunkard striving to do what's right—a truly excellent performance that likely stems from Hawks’ direction. The action is well-executed, and the close-knit feel of the town is charming; plus, who wouldn’t want to celebrate an ending that makes you want to shoot guns in the air? It's a solid film, but it falls short of being a Western classic. 7/10

Source on TMDB