Modern western hits the target

Rating: 8/10 (7 March 2008)

Bale and Crow put in a masterclass in a serious and western-set version of Midnight Run.
3:10 to Yuma is a modern western, a genre which is rather fading out these days, which is not something to sadden me greatly as I was never a fan of the theme. So when given this DVD to randomly borrow, I went in with as open a mind as I could muster, and was certainly attracted by Bale and Crow as both are actors I can watch.
Bale is Evans, a former military sharpshooter now trying to get his ranch into some kind of fruitful state and his family comfortable, but he has to battle against the odds with authorities wanting to tear him apart given his location on wanted land, and a son who looks at him with contempt not respect.
Crowe plays his nemesis Wade, an outlaw with a black heart and rotten posse.
Initially the point of the movie seems unclear until Evans volunteers his (paid) services to aid in the transport of Wade who will be trialled for his various crimes.
Just like Midnight Run, this is basically a tale of two arch rivals one of whom has to take the other to justice. Difference is this is anything but a comedy. Sure, it isn't the most serious movie you will ever see, and even manages a little humour (if not a lot), but it is certainly a fairly deadpan drama.
The performances ensure this; Crowe oozes charisma as the colourful Wade, a truly 'bad man' but who elicits charm throughout and even hints at a humane side. Bale's Evans is a successful display of a man who simply has to battle everything, who is not a dominant personality by nature, and whose own chidren seem to lack respect for him.
This escort is his chance to make things right.
The directing in this movie is impressive - fast moving and never boring even for a second. Serious work went into this and the cinematography flows seamlessly as a result.
And the acting makes you care about the characters, even Wade. However, Foster puts in a cracking shift as Prince, a truly rotten and despicable killer with not an ounce of decency in him - he is a lot of fun. He is very much the villain of the piece.
3:10 to Yuma is an impressive piece of cinema, and the 3 main leads steal the show - which is really the point.