2008 Woodie Awards
'3:10' remake not always convincing but appealing to males
Anna Robledo
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Opinion
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James Mangold's remake of the 1957 film "3:10 to Yuma" stays true to the 1950s Western genre.
However, because of an overexposure of great digital effects and crazy action, a la "Transformers," "Pirates of the Caribbean" and even the 1993 action packed, genius western classic "Tombstone," "3:10 to Yuma" may leave you scratching your head.
There is very little action in this movie and a lot of character play.
"3:10 to Yuma" is much like most Western classics such as "High Noon," which just follows Gary Cooper on a mission to find townfolk to help him in a fight.
The characters are what drive the movie, not the action, and definitely not the special effects.
Christian Bale plays Dan Evans, a sad, poor rancher left with a wooden leg after the Civil War. He may lose his ranch to the railroad company, along with the respect from his wife and eldest son.
Bale plays the part tremendously. I think he was actually overqualified for the role. He plays the character so well that every time he is on the screen you just become depressed. His terrific acting brings the whole movie down.
I thought most of the roles were oddly cast.
Although he plays the role well, Russell Crowe as the eerily charming murderous outlaw Ben Wade is somehow still unconvincing. It took about an hour into the movie to convince me that Crowe was a cowboy outlaw.
Evans desperately needs money to save his ranch from Grayson Butterfield, played by Dallas Roberts ("Walk the Line") owner of the railroads, who is going to build on Evan's land unless he pays back the money that he borrowed.
To earn some of the money he needs to pay back Butterfield, Evans agrees to help Butterfield capture Wade, who just robbed another stagecoach filled with money, belonging to the railroad company, and take him to the 3:10 train to Yuma where he is to be transported to prison.
Wade is accompanied by his gang of outlaws, temporarily being led by Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), while their boss is captured.
However, because of an overexposure of great digital effects and crazy action, a la "Transformers," "Pirates of the Caribbean" and even the 1993 action packed, genius western classic "Tombstone," "3:10 to Yuma" may leave you scratching your head.
There is very little action in this movie and a lot of character play.
"3:10 to Yuma" is much like most Western classics such as "High Noon," which just follows Gary Cooper on a mission to find townfolk to help him in a fight.
The characters are what drive the movie, not the action, and definitely not the special effects.
Christian Bale plays Dan Evans, a sad, poor rancher left with a wooden leg after the Civil War. He may lose his ranch to the railroad company, along with the respect from his wife and eldest son.
Bale plays the part tremendously. I think he was actually overqualified for the role. He plays the character so well that every time he is on the screen you just become depressed. His terrific acting brings the whole movie down.
I thought most of the roles were oddly cast.
Although he plays the role well, Russell Crowe as the eerily charming murderous outlaw Ben Wade is somehow still unconvincing. It took about an hour into the movie to convince me that Crowe was a cowboy outlaw.
Evans desperately needs money to save his ranch from Grayson Butterfield, played by Dallas Roberts ("Walk the Line") owner of the railroads, who is going to build on Evan's land unless he pays back the money that he borrowed.
To earn some of the money he needs to pay back Butterfield, Evans agrees to help Butterfield capture Wade, who just robbed another stagecoach filled with money, belonging to the railroad company, and take him to the 3:10 train to Yuma where he is to be transported to prison.
Wade is accompanied by his gang of outlaws, temporarily being led by Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), while their boss is captured.
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