logically disjointed but gripping western

Rating: 8/10 (13 March 2008)

3:10 to Yuma always had an interesting moral ambiguity to it with an honest financially desperate rancher trying to salvage his life and family and his pride by delivering an infamous outlaw to a coming train while fighting off his gang in order to earn an honest $200.00 and save his ranch. This version has terrific editing of the action, a lot of which has been added on, including a fantastic stage coach robbery. The outlaw himself is as bad as can be and yet has his own sense of justice and fairness which is in the best tradition of famous American outlaws. If anything this film is maybe too reliant on its action and the great acting while letting a few holes mangle the plot. Why didn't Ben Wade just ride out of Bisby in the first place? Lets get captured so that we can introduce him to failing and disabled Dan Evans (Christian Bale). The overall impression is a solid combination of action, acting, great sets, photography, editing, etc.. while one wonders about the logic behind it all.