By Taken from Rio Bravo is a sequel to 2023 action-western Gunfight at Rio Bravo film led by Alexander Nevsky, who also took on the roles of director and producer.
This is the third collaboration between director Joe Cornet and actor Alexander Nevsky.
Taken from Rio Bravo is a blend of the rugged appeal of classic westerns with the high-octane intensity of contemporary action films.
Set in a small American town in 1874, the plot follows two friends pursue the Posse, a group of sadistic human traffickers who have kidnapped five women. Along with an Indian scout, they race against time to find and free the women before the traffickers sell them to sex-slave buyers at the Mexican border.
The casting of this film has a few surprising appearances such as Cynthia Rothrock (Lady Dragon), Don Wilson (Ring of Fire), Matthias Hues (Dark Angel), and Art Camacho (Half Past Dead 2).
Nevsky brings a stoic presence and physicality that suits the archetypal lone hero of westerns. His character is tough, determined, and unyielding – a fitting match for the film’s themes of justice and revenge. It’s always a pleasure to see how Nevsky brings more and more professionalism to his films.
Genre-wise, Taken from Rio Bravo is an intriguing blend of old and new. The film draws heavily from classic westerns, with shootouts, dusty landscapes, and an emphasis on rugged individualism. Yet, it also incorporates modern action tropes, including hand-to-hand combat and explosive sequences.
While the fusion of genres is ambitious, the execution is uneven. The pacing is often slow, with long stretches of dialogue that fail to build tension, and the action sequences, though well-choreographed, lack the visceral impact needed to fully engage the audience.
In conclusion, Taken from Rio Bravo is a sincere homage to the western genre with a modern twist. It’s an enjoyable watch for any western genre fan and those who appreciate a straightforward action-western with well-done gun fights.
PS: I’t always a pleasure to see how Alexander grows professionally with every flick he does as a producer and actor.