3:10 To Yuma (2007)

Just as in his excellent Copland, Magnold has a physically handicapped lead tackle some very nasty villains as well as trying to win back his own self-respect. However Stallone's performance in Copland holds more resonance as he was trying to find his way after a series of flops, plus prove himself against acting heavyweights DeNiro, Keitel, and Liotta. Copland for him was a statement of intent, and one of survival in a changing market. In contrast Bale is one of the finest actors of his generation, the Dark Knight, and just too strong a character for us to truly believe his one-legged underdog no matter how wonderfully acted.
On the plus side though Yuma is an old-fashioned piece of entertainment with some great action scenes. It has all the genre elements; the reluctant hero, the good doctor, and the bored, action-hungry son. Crowe is suitably charismatic as the outlaw and Bale is solid as the taciturn war veteran. Yet this is all immaterial when Ben Foster is on the screen as Crowe's right-hand man. But like every fantastic villain, as good as the other two are we want more of his demonic presence every time we see him.

It may be fashionable to raid the films of yesteryear and give them a bit of an update for modern audiences, but more often than not the remakes fail to deliver. Not so in the case of 3.10 to Yuma though.
The multifaceted characters hail back to a time when men were portrayed as men without having to pander to metro sexual modern attitudes. Not macho per se, but more a case of still waters running deep. Crowe and Bale excel in this with their performances. They say far more in a moment of silence than most touchy feely movies that explore the dynamics between men do.
That this movie can skilfully balance this within an action filled western is at its heart its strength.
An outstanding triumph of cinema.

A lot of people have a problem with some of the actions caused by some characters in the movie but not many actually go deep into the characters minds. I can sit here all day explaining how I, myself viewed those actions but at the end of the day everyone sees and decides things differently and maybe that's why this movie is probably my favorite of the year.

First of all, the acting was superb and the movies pace was just perfect. The plot is beautiful and very heart whelming in some parts. I am a huge western fan and to see them still being made like this makes me really happy. I hope this continues because this was a genre that ruled Hollywood at one point.

Must get film.

The film itself is based on an earlier (1957) film, however the acting in this film breaks away any kind of comparison with the remake. Christian Bale plays low-esteem one-legged rancher who seeks respect off his son. Russell Crowe play a bandit of a certain indescribable moral, and despite the facts we see many personal scenes of him talking, we never quite understand him completely. So, its fair to say that these characters are somewhat complex... Bale and Crowe are superb in their individual roles, and working together. The music, mise en scene and location are only a drop into the ocean compared to the realism established by these two actors.

A good story turned stunning - its simple but genius. One of the best films I've ever seen.

From James Mangold, director of Walk the Line and the underrated Copland comes his latest offering, the tense and visceral remake of the 1957 Glen Ford classic. Does he do it justice? Yes indeed. Not only is the direction tight but with a character driven plot gives the ever brilliant Christian Bale a chance to show us all again why is one of the greatest actors of his generation. Russell Crowe eats the scenery up around him and plays wonderfully off Bale.

Ben Wade (Crowe) a vicious killer and outlaw has been captured and is set to be put on the 3:10 train to Yuma to face the noose. Volunteering for the treacherous journey is Dan Evans, a civil war veteran and now a poor rancher. As the posse venture to catch the train, all the time trying to evade Wade's gang, the two protagonists start to learn about each other and it is here where the fine line between good and evil, right and wrong, becomes blurred.

Although set in the Wild West, the film comes across as a modern piece due mainly to the theme throughout and the use of a more contemporary soundtrack.
A well made and thoroughly engaging film.