Not much in theatres this past week unless your a 5-15 year old girl. My daughters went to go see the Hannah Montana concert movie, but my oldest son and I stayed up to watch 3:10 to Yuma on DVD.
3:10 To Yuma stars Russell Crowe as outlaw Ben Wade and Christian Bale as Dan Evans in the two title roles of the film. Ben Wade (Crowe) is an outlaw that has robbed 22 stage coaches stealing thousands of dollars from the railroad company. In his last robbery he crosses paths with Dan (Bale) and his two sons. His oldest son William is enamored by Wade and can't believe his shooting skills and how he handles himself. The movie is filled with tension between Dan and his son William, Dan had lost his leg in the civil war and was trying to make a life for his family as a rancher and his son William has very little respect for his father, taking jabs at him for a good part of the film.
After Wade makes off again with the loot of his last robbery he finds himself in the town of Bisbee, and so does Dan, who is there to discuss issues with his land and someone who is trying to drive him off it to make way for the coming railroad. Wade and Evans meet up in a saloon, Evans distracts Wade long enough for the sheriff and his men to get the drop on Wade. At this point the rest of his gang has moved on to there meet up point, but Wade stayed behind to visit with a 'lady friend'.
Because of the notoriousness of Wade and the sure bet that his gang will come to set him free, or as Wade puts it "Sure as God's vengeance they're coming". The railroad manager rounds up a group of men to take Wade to the train station and get on the prison train, the 3:10 to Yuma. Christian Bale's character signs up for the trip for $200 to escort him there. The story then progresses from their as the group tries to get Wade on to that train.
The characters are fantastic in this film and each actor played them perfectly. Crowe makes Wade a likeable guy. He's a robber, a killer and down right evil, but the whole movie your liking him. He's not a villain you hate. Bale as the one legged rancher plays the role of the guy just trying to do the right thing, being a good father, providing for his wife, and standing up for what he believes in no matter what the cost has you rooting for him the whole film. At some point in the movie it almost seems as though it becomes a 'buddy film' even though both men at their core are the exact opposite.
The film is littered with other stars as well, where it's got you saying "hey that's the guy from that movie". Peter Fonda as Byron McElroy, Alan Tudyk from Serenity as Doc Potter, Logan Lerman from The Number 23 as William Evans, Ben Foster as Charlie, and even a small role by Luke Wilson in the film. Star power, great action, a good story, some great quotes makes this the perfect guy movie. And if you're a guy with a teenage son it makes it even better.
When this movie came out it was hailed as "the best western movie since Unforgiven" and I would agree. Though Unforgiven was hailed as the best Western since Silverado, and I'd also agree with that. So if you're a western movie buff, definitely some of the top movies made have to be Silverado, Unforgiven and now 3:10 to Yuma. So if you're looking for a gift for your guy for Valentine's Day hook him up with some of the ultimate westerns Silverado, Unforgiven, Tombstone, and now 3:10 to Yuma these are the top ones you could get on DVD, and I didn't even mention the greats by Clint Eastwood.
What I liked about this film: The characters, the acting was great, the relationship between Crowe and Bale was fantastic.
What I didn't like about this film? It's hard for me to think of something I didn't like about it. The story was great, the acting was great, and each actor who played their role was perfect for it.
I give this movie 4 out of 4 stars.