MovieMantz Review: ‘3:10 To Yuma’

Russell Crowe Rides Again

by Scott Mantz

“3:10 to Yuma”
Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale
Directed by: James Mangold

Since the earliest days of the medium, film history has been littered with villains that were more fun to play (and, as a result, more fun to watch) than their more likable (and, dare I say it, more boring) protagonists. Take Darth Vader in “Star Wars”; Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs”; Alonzo Harris in “Training Day”; Hans Gruber in “Die Hard”; Harry Lime in “The Third Man.”

Then there’s Ben Wade in “3:10 to Yuma.” Despite being terrifically played in the 1957 original by Glenn Ford, Wade still wasn’t exactly the first name that came to mind when compiling that long list of unforgettable baddies. But that’s likely to change with this worthy remake, thanks to Russell Crowe’s brilliant performance as the outlaw who can effortlessly switch from being magnetic and charming to rotten and vicious at the drop of a hat.

Fortunately, Christian Bale is just as impressive as good-guy Dan Evans, the physically and emotionally beaten farmer who vows to bring Wade to justice in an effort to redeem himself in the eyes of his family. But there’s a lot more where that came from in “3:10 to Yuma” — an extremely well made, spectacularly entertaining Western that represents director James Mangold’s strongest film to date (topping even 2005’s acclaimed “Walk the Line”).

When his Arizona farm is ravaged by a devastating drought, former Army Union sharpshooter Dan Evans finds himself strapped for cash. In order to pay off his debts, he sells his services to escort the notorious outlaw Ben Wade across the desert plains to Contention, where he will then board the 3:10 prison train bound for Yuma and await trial in that town’s Federal Court.

But the three-day journey winds up being more perilous than expected for Evans and his posse, which include a weathered bounty hunter (Peter Fonda), a meek veterinarian (Alan Tudyk) and Evans’ own young son (Logan Lerman). Not only is Wade’s ruthless gang right behind them, but Wade continually tries to charm his captors into lowering their guard just long enough for him to break free. But Evans will have none of it — he’ll do whatever it takes to deliver his man on time, even if it’s the last thing he ever does.

If the 1957 version written by Halsted Welles and directed by Delmer Daves greatly expands upon the “High Noon”-inspired short story written by Elmore Leonard, then this latest remake goes even further. By adding a good 30 minutes onto the original film’s 92-minute running time, director Mangold and screenwriters Derek Haas and Michael Brandt open the film up to allow for even more character development and a gripping, thrilling sense of adventure.

And it pays off on every level. Giving Evans a physical disability raises the stakes for him to complete his mission, while having his son tag along for the ride allows him to do it for more selfless reasons. But more effective is the kinship that develops between Evans and Wade. Despite being on opposite ends of the moral spectrum, they soon grow to respect each other, leading to a spectacular finale where you wind up rooting for both men as their train rolls in.

It’s easy to see why Mangold was drawn to the material, since the story of a lone, honest, physically impaired man trying to do what’s right in a corrupt environment most closely resembles his own earlier movie, 1997’s “Copland.” But “3:10 to Yuma” is more rewarding on a number of levels, though it is interesting to note that both lead actors in this gritty tale of the Old West aren’t even Americans — Bale hails from Wales, while Crowe (in another Western after 1995’s “The Quick and the Dead”) was born in New Zealand.

It’s also worth noting that “3:10 to Yuma” boasts not one, but two villains that are fun to watch. In addition to Ben Wade, there’s Charlie Prince, the loyal second-in-command of Wade’s gang who lacks the charm, intelligence and sympathy of his leader. And in a performance that’s even scarier than the thug he played in “Alpha Dog,” Ben Foster steals virtually every scene he is in. Talk about icing on the cake, no wonder “3:10 to Yuma” is one of the year’s best movies.

VERDICT: SEE IT!

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

Ernie Hudson's Age-Defying Looks At 78 Leave 'Ghostbusters' Fans Stunned