3:10 to Yuma stayed true to the tradition of the Old West

Rating: 9/10 (12 September 2007)

(My Synopsis) The legendary outlaw, Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his gang have just robbed an armed stage coach carrying the Southern Pacific Railroad's payroll. They kill everyone onboard except Pinkerton guard, Byron McElroy (Peter Fonda) whom Wade shoots in the belly. Dan Evans (Christian Bale) and his two sons find McElroy and take him to the vet's office in Bisbee, Arizona. Ben Wade is in town without his gang and the sheriff immediately surrounds the hotel. Dan distracts Ben Wade, and he is captured without a shot being fired. Railroad representative Grayson Butterfield (Dallas Roberts) asks for paid volunteers to join McElroy's posse to take Wade to the train station in the town of Contention three days away. The train arrives at 3:10, and they must put Wade on the train's prison car bound for Yuma. Once Wade arrives in Yuma, he will receive a quick trial in Federal Court and be hung. Dan Evans is a struggling farmer, desperately needing money to save his farm. Dan will help transport Wade to Contention, but he must be paid $200. The other paid volunteers who join the posse are Tucker (Kevin Durand) and Doc Potter (Alan Tudyk), the town's veterinarian. Unfortunately for the posse, Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), Wade's right hand man, sees what has happened to Wade, and he goes after the rest of the gang to help liberate Wade.
(My Comment) The remake of the 1957 movie 3:10 to Yuma stayed true to the tradition of the Old West. You actually get the feel of the real events from chase scenes and stampedes to gunshot wounds. You have your villains and your unknown heroes who come to the forefront to save the day. It has your perfect setting of a small prairie town with a saloon and loose women just waiting for a gun fight with the local sheriff and the posse that is taking Ben Wade to the train. Russell Crowe plays a great villain with his charm, callous conscience, and fast gun, who goes from cordial to lethal and back again at the speed of a bullet. The character of Ben Wade using the psychological weaknesses of the men on the posse was absolutely superb. The gun play was first-rate and very well done. Ben Foster as Charlie Prince did a terrific job of playing Wade's right hand man. I believe both Crowe and Foster will be nominated for Oscars. The story line is especially true today, when a father wants to teach his son what it takes in life or in death to do the right thing, and become a good and respected man. (Lions Gates Films, Run time 1:57, Rated R)(9/10)