Fine Thriller, Taut, Tense, Well Acted

Rating: 9/10 (16 September 2007)

It's always a pleasure to see a good movie, an entertaining movie, with substance, a decent screenplay, and most of all, with real talent, not the over publicized kind, but the one that makes you care about the characters, whether they are good or bad, the ones that go beyond simple expressions and can't be defined as being black and white.
Once again, the finest actor of 2007 makes another flawless appearance as the rancher who strives to do something to prove his worth. Christian Bale is the heart of the film, fiery, determined, confused, and a victim of circumstances, who must face an evil mastermind and tries to achieve an impossible goal: delivering the infamous outlaw to the authorities.
Russell Crowe is the famous robber who has thus far avoided the authorities and seems destined to continue his winning streak. Through an interesting turn of events, he falls in the hand of a group who might just stop him, but things in the Old West are not that simple, and before the end of the movie, events will become more complex and exciting, as Crowe and Bale have epiphanies of their own and might make some life changing decisions.
The ending is one of the most exciting in recent movies, and it's because we have a director who goes back to a formula that is successful. There is a remarkable villain, a world where philosophy exists but it's not at the core of the story, a place that is ruthless and beautiful, a new frontier that can capture and kill you. It's an unforgiving world, and only those who are determined to make it, will survive.
The film is expertly directed, gorgeously photographed, and so well-edited that it's hard to take your eyes away from the screen. Here is an example of what films can do, whether they are considered revisionist and overpraised because they try a slightly different approach but fail to capture your interest. "3:10" follows the formula, but improves on it by making it personal and relevant to us, to make us care about what we are seeing, not necessarily about just seeing a matinée idol, but to see some real people dealing with life threatening problems and real situations.
Four stars.