Low-key, earnest, and exceedingly simplistic (even for a Roger Corman production), 1994's Cheyenne Warrior is a well-intentioned and somewhat likable little tale ... even if it is one of the most trite, familiar, and generally predictable chestnuts you're likely to come across.

Tell me if you can see where this is headed: A beautiful young (pregnant) woman is left stranded at an isolated old trading post during the early part of the Westward Expansion. Nursing a broken heart (due to a recently killed husband) and a rapidly swelling belly (thanks to the same late husband), Mrs. Rebecca Carver has nobody to rely on aside from the handsome Cheyenne warrior she just recently nursed back to health from death's door.

Hot Blonde Widow + Shirtless Exotic Warrior + Completely Isolated Setting = Sweet Forbidden Love

It all runs very smoothly predictable and yet ... actually quite watchable. There's certainly a novelty value to seeing a young Kelly Preston in a lead role, and the background cast is populated with character actors like Dan Haggerty, Clint Howard, Rick Dean, and Bo Hopkins. Plus the lead actor, one Pato Hoffman, brings a steely intensity to the affair, even if he's not all that great of an actor.

Cheyenne Warrior is a simple little story that'll appeal mostly to bored women home alone on a Wednesday night who are too lazy to reach for the remote control, but it certainly doesn't rank among the Corman Machine's most embarrassing projects. It's obvious and corny and 1,000% familiar, but it moves quick enough and it's not too painful.

Plus it's got some pretty half-decent action scenes for a low-budget western romance flick.

The DVD

Video: It's a rather drab and unimpressive full screen transfer. Although research indicates that Cheyenne Warrior originally played on television, that doesn't change the fact that the picture quality here leaves a whole lot to be desired.

Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. No frills in the sound department.

Extras

Two extra features here, both in commentary form. First up is a feature-length audio commentary with director Mark Griffiths, producer Alba Francesca, and cinematographer Blake T. Evans. The trio reminisce over their low-budget baby with a notable sense of affection, and they offer no shortage of production tidbits, memories, and anecdotes.

There's also a 19-minute section of selected scene audio commentary from screenwriter Michael Druxman, who perhaps over-praises his pedestrian western/romance screenplay, but not in an overtly obnoxious way. Rounding out the disc are a handful of cast & crew biographies and some trailers for Cheyenne Warrior, Grand Theft Auto, Big Bad Mama, Eat My Dust!, and Piranha.

Final Thoughts

This semi-mawkish western romance was directed by the lead guy from Hardbodies! And Hardbodies 2! Why I find that amusing I have no idea.