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… more »

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.

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… more »

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.