“3:10 to Yuma”
Starring: Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol, Ben Foster
3.5 stars out of 4
The Western genre hasn’t reached audiences on the level that it has in the past, but James Mangold’s “3:10 to Yuma” may change that. Mangold who is recognized for “Walk the Line”, has crafted a smart, and thinking man’s Western, that kind where there is a hero, and a villain, and the struggle between the two.
The story takes place in Arizona, a few years after the Civil War; Christian Bale’s character Dan tends a ranch, while having much trouble paying the mortgage. Evans, who fought in the Civil War and lost a leg, also deals with the fact that his kids don’t really look up to him or see him as anything special. There is a key scene mid-way through the film where Evans displays his frustration about this subject to his wife, played by Gretchen Mol.
On the other side of the law, there is outlaw Ben Wade, played by the consistent Russell Crowe. Wade and his crew of outlaws are famous for killing and stealing money from the railroad crews that carry money. Crowe is as fast with his gun as he is with his witty dialogue. As the plot moves on, Wade is imprisoned and is sentenced to be hung; he first must be escorted on the train leaving Yuma at 3:10, hence the title.
Dan Evans volunteers, along with a few other men to bring Wade to the train, in return he’ll receive a handsome payment of $200, more than enough to pay off his property. The film is filled with enough action, to satisfy any viewer, but the thing that struck a chord with me was the psychological aspect of the film that was displayed between the protagonist of Christian Bale and the antagonist of Russell Crowe. Each has an agenda, and is willing to complete it by any means. We see Ben Wade as a criminal, but as an intelligent man that recites the bible, and recognizes that Evans has no business being apart of the crew escorting him, he should be at home taking care of his family.
The film is one of the best of the year for several reasons. Crowe and Bale are the worth the admission alone, along with a strong supporting performance from the young Ben Foster, who plays one of Wade’s fiery henchman. Also, the cinematography is breathtaking, as director Mangold perfectly captures the Western atmosphere, with his set pieces and costume design. The Western genre is certainly re-established with these solid films, which hopefully will attract viewers due to the star-studded cast.
Both leading men do fine work, as Bale continues his streak of impressive performances; he is the most dynamic leading men in Hollywood today. Crowe is also very good, as he is the leading man, with more dialogue and more of a presence on screen. Mangold certainly knows how to portray the Western frontier on the big screen, and he achieves his goal with “3:10 to Yuma”
Starring: Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol, Ben Foster
3.5 stars out of 4
The Western genre hasn’t reached audiences on the level that it has in the past, but James Mangold’s “3:10 to Yuma” may change that. Mangold who is recognized for “Walk the Line”, has crafted a smart, and thinking man’s Western, that kind where there is a hero, and a villain, and the struggle between the two.
The story takes place in Arizona, a few years after the Civil War; Christian Bale’s character Dan tends a ranch, while having much trouble paying the mortgage. Evans, who fought in the Civil War and lost a leg, also deals with the fact that his kids don’t really look up to him or see him as anything special. There is a key scene mid-way through the film where Evans displays his frustration about this subject to his wife, played by Gretchen Mol.
On the other side of the law, there is outlaw Ben Wade, played by the consistent Russell Crowe. Wade and his crew of outlaws are famous for killing and stealing money from the railroad crews that carry money. Crowe is as fast with his gun as he is with his witty dialogue. As the plot moves on, Wade is imprisoned and is sentenced to be hung; he first must be escorted on the train leaving Yuma at 3:10, hence the title.
Dan Evans volunteers, along with a few other men to bring Wade to the train, in return he’ll receive a handsome payment of $200, more than enough to pay off his property. The film is filled with enough action, to satisfy any viewer, but the thing that struck a chord with me was the psychological aspect of the film that was displayed between the protagonist of Christian Bale and the antagonist of Russell Crowe. Each has an agenda, and is willing to complete it by any means. We see Ben Wade as a criminal, but as an intelligent man that recites the bible, and recognizes that Evans has no business being apart of the crew escorting him, he should be at home taking care of his family.
The film is one of the best of the year for several reasons. Crowe and Bale are the worth the admission alone, along with a strong supporting performance from the young Ben Foster, who plays one of Wade’s fiery henchman. Also, the cinematography is breathtaking, as director Mangold perfectly captures the Western atmosphere, with his set pieces and costume design. The Western genre is certainly re-established with these solid films, which hopefully will attract viewers due to the star-studded cast.
Both leading men do fine work, as Bale continues his streak of impressive performances; he is the most dynamic leading men in Hollywood today. Crowe is also very good, as he is the leading man, with more dialogue and more of a presence on screen. Mangold certainly knows how to portray the Western frontier on the big screen, and he achieves his goal with “3:10 to Yuma”
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