This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

That was an excellent one.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

The third and final film in Howard Hawks's famous trilogy of westerns starring John Wayne; the first was RIO BRAVO and the second EL DORADO. This late-stage entry in the genre is far better than I was expecting, a bright and colourful western with an interesting cast and an ageing star who still has the power to kick backside with the best of them.The opening of RIO LOBO is particularly astute, featuring a heist on a train carrying a gold shipment which is very well directed and exciting. Wayne plays the usual stock hero and wrings maximum presence out of his part, only this time around he's supported by a mixture of old hands (Jack Elam) and new faces (Mexican star Jorge Rivero and Christopher Mitchum).The narrative slows down after the first section which is understandable given the passage of time. However, it soon picks up in scenes which are very reminiscent of RIO BRAVO, and keeps bubbling along pretty well until the action climax. I did find the villains to be rather weak in this film but the heroes are so larger than life that it doesn't really matter. Jennifer O'Neill's female lead is an irritant rather than an asset but she's not bad enough to spoil what is an overall fun picture.

The final film is Howard Hawks The good guys vs bad guys trilogy(as i like to call it)is set during the closing days of the civil war and involves military secrets being sold the other side,a robbery in gold,and one mans quest for vengeance and justice.First of all,this is one of the greatest westerns ever made,it got brilliant acting,perfect storyline and excellently staged,fast paced action scenes.John Wayne is again reprising his role as a Man on a Mission,and he's brilliant at it(in one scene he turns the tables on his captors which results in them being sent to a POW camp),other good performances come from Mike Henry who plays the sadistic town sheriff,Jack Elam is really funny as the bitter old man who helps the duke on his quest and David Huddleston is great as the town dentist,some of the scenes in this movie are nearly the same as El Dorado(food being brought to the sheriffs office which is under siege).The storyline is excellent as it focuses a lot on betrayal and revenge,the dukes friend is killed in a train robbery and he sets out intent on finding those responsible,the idea of military secrets falling into the wrong hands was great and it gives the movie the feel of a spy thriller.There's plenty of good old western action to enjoy,including a train robbery,a house being raided and an epic shootout to climax the film,during which many a man is shot and dynamite is tossed around and a building is blown up(it quite similar to the shootout at the end of Rio Bravo),the action is very loud and it's really exciting.This is a gem of a movie,i recommend it to all John Wayne and western fans.

Civil War veteran John Wayne (as Cord McNally), former Confederate foe Jorge Rivero (Pierre "Frenchy" Cordona), and super-model Jennifer O'Neill (Shasta Delaney) ride into "Rio Lobo" to stir residents into action. Also in town are Robert's son Christopher Mitchum (as Tuscarora Phillips) and his pa Jack Elam (as "Old Man" Phillips). Proving the law of diminishing returns for his last film, herein, director Howard Hawks re-visits "El Dorado" (1966) which had re-visited "Rio Bravo" (1959). Ms. O'Neill's line, "I was running out of things to say" may apply. She is very beautiful, but needed to go over lines with her co-stars (or, maybe she did). The script seems to poke fun at Mr. Wayne's age, weight ("He's heavier than a baby whale."), and acting ("If you'd been a good enough actor.") with good-natured humor. It only helps a little.**** Rio Lobo (12/17/70) Howard Hawks ~ John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, Jennifer O'Neill, Jack Elam

Maybe it's because I'm in an exceptionally foul mood today, but after I bought this DVD, and saw the first half hour, I was reminded of why I didn't like this film the first time I saw it.Pic starts off strong with some convincing and innovative action, that itself is quite spectacular, but the supporting cast and sexual tension amongst thereof is a yawner, and will anger the most ardent Wayne fans. Me included.Model's turned actresses deserve a shot at acting just like anyone else; through auditions. How these pretty faces got past reciting their sides for Hawks is no mystery. They're attractive. Wayne fans are split and/or at odds with his pro-Vietnam war flick "The Green Barets", so Wayne goes back to doing Westerns, and Hawks probably obliged with Wayne's faltering rep by casting a couple of honeys for the film.Note that no other big names were in this film. No surprise. We're left with a bunch of flat toned supporting cast (save maybe Ed Asner), and unbelievable gunfight scenes (even for a John Wayne western).The only redeeming quality of this film, other than Wayne himself, is the fact that it was respectably shot. Not well shot, but passable for a pro-grade feature.Me, personally I think this film is a bust. There should have been more action at the end in the tradition of "War Wagon" or maybe even the calming tones of "El Dorado". "True Grit" had a pretty spectacular finish too, as did its sequel. But this film?I don't know. Maybe they figured the genre was wearing thin for a lot of people. The Western was transforming with the nation back then. I know, I was there and remember it. But to create something like this with women who can't act? And an unsympathetic Duke who isn't outraged when a woman gets cut or beaten? Huh?Like I said, maybe I'm just sore and angry with a lot of other things in my life, but this film brought back all the memories of why I quit watching John Wayne films (not that he did a whole lot after this flick).I salute the Duke, and always will, but not this movie. It's more TV movie of the week material than a solid theatrical release.Watch at your own risk.