Column:
Action drives '3:10 to Yuma'
Published Sept. 14, 2007
Shout to the world and let it be known: "3:10 to Yuma" is the best Western movie since Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven." Not only that; it's better.
"3:10 to Yuma," a remake of the 1957 film of the same name, packs the standard 2000s action punch without all the over-the-top, seizure-producing fanfare. Instead of simply allowing for an hour and a half of six-shooter gangbanging, director James Mangold hones in on themes of revenge, redemption and respect.
Christian Bale plays Dan Evans, a handicapped rancher who is trying to get his family through drought, sickness and poverty. Evans' chance at saving his family comes in the form of the dangerous and recently apprehended outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe). A train company businessman wants to see Wade shipped to prison and hanged and offers cash to any man who helps him take the prisoner to the 3:10 train. Unfortunately, the station is two days away, and Wade's gang is looking to free its leader at any cost.
The script is more than good guys versus bad guys. Instead, the characters resemble the men of the time period. Every man has his inner demons, and every man has his shot at doing something right. This helps keep "3:10 to Yuma" from falling into the doldrums of predictability. If anything, it makes you guess which motives are driving the characters.
The acting couldn't be better. Crowe plays his murderous, merciless outlaw with such charm that you hate yourself for liking him. Bale also gives his usual near-Oscar-worthy performance. It shouldn't be long before he finally takes one home, and, though he might not get a nod for this performance, it's certainly one of his best.
You champion for Bale throughout the film as he tries to not only gain the respect of his family, but also self-respect. The best performance has to be from Ben Foster, who plays Charlie, Wade's second-in-command. Foster is one of the most underrated actors out there right now, and his portrayal of Charlie reeks of pure evil.
Mangold helps maintain the balance between action and drama. Although the film runs almost two hours, it never drags, because the action is steady and the dialogue flows effortlessly. Action is spread throughout, whether it is in the heart of Apache territory, on the roofs of saloons or in the tunnels of railroad construction sites. It all leads up to the final showdown when the gang meets up with Wade and his captors outside the train station.
Although there are certainly some areas that it could clean up, overall, the film is fantastic. Even if you do not like Westerns, "3:10 to Yuma" is a great story to see played out on screen.
