Taken from Rio Bravo (2024): A Western Rescue Tale with Martial Arts Muscle
Taken from Rio Bravo (2024) is a modern throwback to classic Westerns infused with B-movie action flair. Directed by Joe Cornet, the film serves as a standalone sequel to Gunfight at Rio Bravo and continues the saga of Ivan Turchaninov, a Russian gunfighter with a mysterious past. This time, he returns to the Texas frontier to help rescue kidnapped women from a violent human trafficking ring.
Set in 1874 East Texas, the story begins when a ruthless gang storms the small town of Blind Chapel, abducting five women — including the town’s schoolteacher and the local sheriff’s fiancée. The kidnappers plan to sell their captives across the border. Sheriff Vernon Kelly, played by Joe Cornet, forms a rescue team that includes Ivan, a Native American scout, and other allies as they pursue the outlaws through harsh terrain. Their mission becomes personal and even more dangerous when they discover that the operation is being led by Colonel Ethan Crawley, a sadistic escaped war criminal.
Alexander Nevsky reprises his role as Ivan, bringing a stoic and powerful presence to the screen. His character is less of a cowboy and more of a one-man army, blending Western grit with martial-arts agility. Cynthia Rothrock, a legendary action star, makes a brief but impactful appearance, while Don "The Dragon" Wilson and Matthias Hues round out the cast with familiar genre energy. Hues, in particular, plays the villain with a menacing calm, though his screen time is limited compared to the heroes.
The film leans heavily on action — from shootouts in ghost towns to hand-to-hand brawls in the wilderness. Its 80-minute runtime is brisk, filled with quick pacing and fight choreography that borrows more from 1990s action films than traditional Westerns. This genre-blending approach gives the movie a distinct identity, even if it occasionally clashes with the tone of the frontier setting.
Visually, the film punches above its weight. The cinematography captures scenic desert plains, rugged trails, and dusty saloons with an eye for atmosphere. Costume and production design reflect the period setting with care, while the musical score evokes the spirit of classic Westerns, layering tension and twang with modern energy.
While the film doesn’t boast A-list production values, it embraces its B-movie roots with enthusiasm. Fans of old-school Westerns will recognize the homage to rescue narratives, while action enthusiasts may appreciate the presence of genre veterans like Rothrock and Wilson. The dialogue is simple, sometimes even clunky, but the film’s heart is in its earnest delivery and commitment to delivering straightforward, crowd-pleasing entertainment.
Critics and viewers alike have given the film mixed reviews. Some praise its dedication to genre tropes and its throwback feel, while others criticize the limited character development and uneven tone. Still, for a low-budget Western that brings martial arts into the mix, Taken from Rio Bravo delivers exactly what it promises: action, grit, and a straightforward tale of justice on the American frontier.
