Take the "3:10 to Cine" to see "3:10 To Yuma"

Rating: 10/10 (18 September 2007)

Do not be a train wreck by missing the exhilarating western "3:10 To Yuma". It is quite the entertaining western that we have been waiting for. Director James Mangold struck gold in his delivery of this remake of the 1957 western starring Glenn Ford. Mangold was quite fortunate to lasso thespian megastars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in the title roles this time around. Bale plays Dan Evans, a crestfallen rancher who is so broke that $3.10 is about the estimated total cash he has on him to support his worried wife and his two melancholic kids. Crowe plays Ben Wade, the wily outlaw who leads a posse that robs armed stagecoaches carrying lots of "Big Ben Franklins" for Big Ben Wade to steal. Wade's luck runs out when he is captured by lawmen in the desolate western town of Bisbee. The "financial desperado" Evans is then hired by the Bisbee lawmen to join a posse which will take the baddie Wade to the town of Contention in order for put him on the 3:10 to Yuma train; that will lead him to Yuma jail for an eventual hanging. Let's just say that they want Wade to hang it high as the basketball Wade does when he dunks the ball. Anyway, Evans accepts the offer and what follows is a cerebral & physical duel between Evans & Wade that is quite the roundup I have been waiting for in a suspenseful & creative western. Along for the "take Wade to the 3:10 to Yuma ride" is Peter Fonda playing Byron McElroy, a former grungy outlaw who joins the Bisbee entourage because he himself despises Wade; Kevin Durand as Tucker, a loudmouth cowboy; Alan Tudyk as Doc Potter, the town veterinarian who is used to hanging out with a bunch of desperate old dogs himself; and Dallas Roberts as Grayson Butterfield, the railroad lawman who is as soft in the inside as butter itself. Not exactly the dream team of Western Bad-Asses; which does make it easy for the clever Wade to always be in contention to escape on his way to Contention. However, I will hold my guns here because to say more would be a misfire in adequately reviewing the film with no spoilers. Ben Foster plays Charlie Prince, Wade's right hand man (no not Shaquile O' Neal) whose devilish demeanor is western bloodcurdling at its apex. Yes, this Prince definitely does "go crazy". Let's just say that Prince and his bandit posse will go to any means to save their boss Wade. Many of the acting performances of "3:10 to Yuma" are deserving of Oscar nominations at the Kodak Corral. Crowe and Bale were simply brilliant as Wade & Evans and will probably be dueling out again in the Best Actor category in numerous award shows. Foster means "American for Best Supporting Actor nomination" for his wicked work as the monstrous Prince. I was also fond of Fonda's fun acting as MCelroy. Logan Lerman who plays Dan Evans' son William was also a nice addition to this winning acting posse. Director Mangold "walks this western line" with a triumphant psychological western touch that makes the "3:10 To Yuma" the yummiest cinematic experience of the year. ***** Excellent