"3:10 to Yuma" is the type of movie you need to catch while in theaters because there aren't too many of these types of films being made today.  And by 'that type,' I mean Westerns, a classic genre that has been foiled by modern day Hollywood and its audiences.  Thankfully, this one's not a miss.

 

Packing some serious star power, James Mangolds' film features two actors at the top of their game, Christian Bale and Russell Crowe.  The movie, which is a remake, features great roles for each as they both make the most with the material. 

 

The story takes place a few years after the civil war and is a story that shows the harshness of life back then.  What makes the film work is that it doesn't stray away from the tough realities of the time where heroism isn't a clear cut thing. 

 

Bale, who plays Dan Evans, a struggling rancher seeking to provide for his family, is forced into volunteering for a tough assignment, the prison transport of felon Ben Wade, played perfectly by Crowe.  The assignment is simple, take Wade to the 3:10 to Yuma train where he will await trial and execution.  Along the way, however, is where the adventures unfold.

 

What I appreciated most about the film is that it wasn't trying to conform to Hollywood standards.  It's a movie that embraces the fallen Western genre and delivers it at its own pace.  The characters are multi-faceted and Wade makes for the perfect antihero.  Dan Evans, who is not only trying to give his family a good life but also tries to prove himself to his oldest son, is also a great character in the piece.  Bale's knack for becoming the actual person is impressive, as you no longer remember it is he who is acting in the movie.  Same can be said for Crowe.  Their notoriety doesn't prove to be a distraction and instead, shows you what can be done with skillful acting performances.

 

"3:10 to Yuma" doesn't shy away from action or violence either, as you may have read with the comparisons to Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven."  While not as iconic as that film, "Yuma" is a fine picture in its own right and certainly provides an entertaining feature for those who seek it out.  The strongest aspects of the film, however, deals in the relationship between Wade and Evans, who over the course of their travels together, gain a sense of respect for each other.  It's fantastic character development and it is the core of the film.

 

By now, "3:10 to Yuma" has finished at or near the top of the box office charts in its first couple of weeks in theaters.  While it isn't taking in any gold coins with its gross, it is still making a respectable showing and offers up hope that there might be more films like this in the pipeline.  With the efforts shown here, we can only be so lucky.