3:10 To Yuma A Good Western Much Better Than Expected

Rating: 8/10 (1 June 2009)

Let me first start of by saying I'm not a big fan of westerns but I was impressed with how much I enjoyed this one mostly due to the great performances by the talented cast including Russell Crowe (from Gladiator, Body of Lies, and A Beautiful Mind), Christian Bale (from American Psycho, Batman Begins, and The Dark Knight), Ben Foster (from The Punisher, Hostage, and X-Men 3), and Peter Fonda (from Ulees Gold and Ghost Rider). Director James Mangold the man behind films like Identity and Walk The Line did an excellent job of bringing this movie to the big screen. It's one of those rare remakes that turns out to be a terrific western with plenty of action, character development, and spot on performances by the whole cast. Russell Crowe makes for an effective villain. His character Ben Wade is a man whose seen a lot of bad things in his life and those experiences are what made him the man he is an outlaw who's willing to kill to get what he wants. Crowe continues to establish himself in 3:10 To Yuma as one of Hollywoods most talented actors. Christian Bale is equally impressive as the hero Dan Evans a rancher who was injured in the Civil War. Bale's Evans is a man desperately looking for a way to support his family and sees his way of doing just that by joining some lawman to help escort Ben to the 3:!0 To Yuma in the city of Contention with Wade's gang hot on their trail. With films like The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, and Terminator Salvation, Christian Bale continues to show why he's one of Hollywoods best actors today. Well done. Ben Foster plays Charles one of the criminals in Ben's gang another man whose probably seen his share of terrible things as well. Foster does a solid job of the role he does have in the movie. Peter Fonda does the best he can with the small role he does have in the film as Bryon McElroy a mysterious lawman with a violent past and the rest of the cast are good in their roles. There were however a few flaws like the pacing at times was slow and the ending which wasn't that bad but it could've been a little better. Overall 3:10 To Yuma has a good story, interesting characters, great performances from the cast, and plenty of action thats even spaced throughout the whole film that makes it an enjoyable western to watch.