5 of 18

Write now Article Tools

3:10 to Yuma
Featuring: Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Peter Fonda, Ben Foster
Directed by James Mangold
Rated R for violence and some language

The old Hollywood Western is alive and well if audiences want it. Movie Westerns have stayed away from the Cineplex for a long time except for a few popping up here and there over the last few decades. With 3:10 to Yuma, the Western is riding high in the saddle onto the silver screen in full glory. The story of a rancher named Dan Evans (Christian Bale) and his family who are struggling to survive in the Old West to make ends meet and Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) a villain of substantial proportions that Old Western legends are made of cross fateful paths when Wade is captured and to be brought to justice with a posse of escorts to make sure he boards the 3:10 to Yuma prison a few days out from where he is captured. When Evans is offered $200 to be one of the escorts he takes it. It is pretty clear right away that Evans is more thinking of his family and the money then that of Wade and him being brought to justice. I will not go into detail of the journey to the train to not give away story or plot points, but I will say this, this is a fantastic movie. Bale and Crowe spar on screen like some of the best movie duos, whether Western or otherwise, to no end. The acting in the film is stellar and without flaw with the two leads and gems like Ben Foster and Peter Fonda. 3:10 to Yuma is a remake, but there is no CGI, there are no special effects, there is no MTV jumpcuts, just place, plot, story, good acting. You know, like movies used to be. I have read that some scenes in the film were recreated to be like the original. What is also like the original and other old films, is, it doesn't rely on any modern technological movie making methods. Director James Mangold does a fantastic job showing that all you need to make a good, solid film is good solid storytelling and actors. I do hope this movie brings back the Westerns, because it is not just a reminder of what movies once were, it is proof of what movies can still be.

Learn more about this author, J.P. Lurie.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: 3:10 to Yuma ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!