An earnest modern Hollywood western; we can all be thankful for that

Rating: 7/10 (21 April 2015)

When "3:10 to Yuma" first came out, I remember hoping it would reignite the genre, make westerns happen again. If a movie with 2 big stars couldn't do that, I dunno what could. Alas, what we've gotten since are "True Grit" . . . and "Jonah Hex". Mixed results to be sure.
On its own, the movie plays out fairly conventionally, but for its two leads. Russell Crowe breezes through with star looks and charm (except for the final scene, which complicates his character . . . actually, the whole movie really comes alive in these final 10 minutes). For his part, Christian Bale's inborn intensity ably conveys his character's burdens, mostly in holding onto his land, but also in his desperation to do the right thing. There are plenty of shootouts in this movie and it's fortified with a solid cast (notably Peter Fonda and crazyass Ben Foster), but it all rides on the two leading men.
7/10