Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo was a classic Western, and influenced a legion directors, including John Carpenter.
He doesnt need it.
He stands for justice, and the townsfolk line up to help him as best they can.
The weak will be protected by the strong.
The characters are also a great strength of the film.
Experience tells us that remakes are usually inferior.
Why, then, should anyone sit through Hawks remakes of his own film?
He madeEl Doradoin 1966 and followed it withRio Loboin 1970.
YetEl Doradois great andRio Lobo well, it remains watchable, if only for Wayne.
El Doradois a lot of fun, and this is mainly due to the casting.
And Colorado becomes Mississippi, played by James Caan a knife-wielding cowboy out for revenge.
Also, Ed Asner and great character actor Arthur Hunnicutt make appearances inEl Dorado.Is it as good asRio Bravo?
For me personally, James Caan is better than Ricky Nelson.
But the dialogue and the tension inRio Bravois terrific.
I cant choose between them.
Its far from Howard Hawks finest work.
Its the same script, more or less, but this time around it feels tired.
And no wonder by then Hawks was 74 years old and Wayne was 63.
Theres a famous scene at an ice cream van that is shudderingly horrible.
Other great elements include the score, a distinctive synthesiser sound that becomes synonymous with Carpenter.
Simultaneously, a likeable group of thieves are planning to rob a warehouse.
The Nestbrilliantly references a number of films.
There are elements ofPlatoonandReservoir Dogsin there.
He had a gift for knowing what made a film memorable.
It certainly worked withRio Bravo.
