3:10 TO YUMA
movie review by David Blackwell

117 minutes, Rated R
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
STARRING Christian Bale (Dan Evans), Russel Crowe (Ben Wade), Ben Foster(Charlie Prince), Peter Fonda (Bryan McElroy), Alan Tudyk (Doc Potter), Logan Lerman (William Evans), Gretchen Mol (Alice Evans)
WRITTEN by Halstead Welles, Michael Brandt, Derek Haas
based on a short story by Elmore Leonard
DIRECTED by James Mangold

STUDIO: Lionsgate/ Relativity Media/ Tree Line Films
Theatrical RELEASE DATE: 9-7-2007

An entertaining Western is hard to come back in this day and age. Usually they been made for TV these days. It is a real treat when a good one come up for theatrical release.

It's not to to say 3:10 TO YUMA isn't without it's faults, but the actors, the scenery, and Marco Beltrami's score makes this remake breathe. The script could have been better, but the actors make the choices the characters make believable. I really enjoyed 3:10 TO YUMA despite it's illogical parts of the plot.

Dan Evans (Christian Bale) is a farmer struggling by to save his farm and make sure his family isn't homeless. He is a survivor of the Civil War, losing his leg (now he wears a fake leg). He decides to help bring Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to Contention for the 3:10 train to Yuma prison. He will get $200. Many obstacles including Wade's gang (now led by the ruthless Charlie Prince) on their trail, Ben Wade trying to escape more than once, INdians, and other things make it a journey for two men who form a bond: Ben Wade and Dan Evans. If their circumstances in life were different, they would be the best of friends. Instead, they are on opposite sides and form a friendship of sorts. They end up respecting each other and Ben wants to help Dan. This connection sells the remake of the Glenn Ford western of the same name. Ben Foster all steals the show with his turn as Charlie Prince. Also Ben Wade is as just as deadly- he's in it for one person (himself).

The New Mexico landscape is another character in this film in James Mangold's film that wouldn't work if it wasn't for strong acting. The atcing is the glue to the film that is strengthed by the cinematography and the score. 3:10 TO YUMA is pure audience joy for those waiting for another Western to finally hit the big screen.

this movie review is (c)9-13-2007 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  
look for additional content at http://enterline-media.tripod.com  and http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com