3:10 To Yuma Review

I've never been a huge fan of Westerns as a whole. Maybe it's because I can't relate well to the lifestyle all that much. I've never had to work on a ranch, I can't say I've ridden many horses, and I've never fired a gun in my life. So typically, watching people do these things makes me want to choke myself to sleep. On the other hand, maybe it's because in so many of the Westerns I have seen, the characters and the actors playing them have nothing interesting to offer. This isn't the case with this film thankfully.

In "3:10 To Yuma", Christian Bale plays Dan Evans, a hard working ranch owner doing everything he can to provide for his wife and two sons. He lost part of his leg in the war, and has also lost the respect of his family when they're in danger of losing the ranch. When he crosses paths with outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe), an opportunity arises for him to save his land and redeem himself in the eyes of his son.

After Wade is arrested for robbing an armed carriage with his gang, Evans offers to help bring him to justice in exchange for money. This involves escorting Wade in one piece to the train station on its way to Yuma, all the while Wades's group of fellow criminals are looking to spring him loose. It's quite a ways away, and you can bet it isn't going to be easy.

The main reason why this movie works so well has everything to do with the great casting. Christian Bale proves again that he is one of the best actors of his generation. He is able to breathe life into a character you believe you've seen a million times before, but watching him it all seems new.

Russell Crowe delivers another great performance, playing the suave, dangerous role that fits him so perfectly. I suppose my only complaint is that the movie kept implying how heinous a person he was, but there wasn't a moment where you didn't like him.

Wade's right hand man, played by Ben Foster (X-Men 3), does an exceptional job playing the psychopathic Charlie Prince. When he's not on screen you're wondering where he is at all times, and what he'll do next. His unpredictability is a great counterweight to Crowe's sure-handed approach.

The movie has some pretty decent gunfights and some really great exchanges between Bale and Crowe. The main plot is fairly simple, but it isn't what carries this film. It's the journey you're taking with these characters and seeing how their motivations intertwine with their fates. I highly recommend seeing this film, even if you, like myself, aren't normally inclined to do so.