Rio Bravo (1959)

Ebert regards the film as an outstanding Western, valuing its relaxed, character-driven storytelling. He especially praises the camaraderie among the central characters.

Thomas gives the film a strongly positive verdict, calling it faultless and funny. He singles out its warm atmosphere and memorable ensemble of characters over its widely spaced action.

Lim calls the film a masterpiece and perhaps Howard Hawks’s finest work. He praises how its humane spirit and richly drawn characters deepen familiar Western conventions.

Brody presents the film as both a pinnacle of classic Western style and an unusually modern work. He praises how its lawmen’s relaxed elegance shapes the film’s distinctive blend of principled violence, comedy, and rawness.

The review presents the film as arguably Howard Hawks’s greatest. It praises its deceptively rambling chamber-Western form, made in response to High Noon.

A. O. Scott presents the film as an unusually entertaining Western. He praises its slow, quiet, wise pace as a welcome alternative to noisy summer entertainment.

Mackie presents the documentary accompanying the DVD rerelease as a warm-hearted addition and celebrates the film as a western classic. He singles out Peter Bogdanovich’s entertaining recollections and impression of Walter Brennan.

Variety finds the western forceful and entertaining, with a hard-hitting story that builds suspense. It praises Howard Hawks's handling of the narrative and Angie Dickinson's performance in a key role.

Abel gives the Rio Bravo release a generally favorable assessment, with reservations about the remastered image. He praises the bonus documentary on Howard Hawks and the jam session featuring Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Walter Brennan.