3:10 to Yuma - Western Glory

Watching this remake of 3:10 to Yuma makes me interested in finding time to see the original. This is the most intricate, detail oriented and fun to watch western since Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood’s masterwork combining his directorial and starring talents). The movie is more proof that Christian Bale is a chameleon in every role he plays. The man went from a sleepless, emaciated mess in The Machinist, to a chiseled and imposing Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins (which has completely revived a dead franchise after the horror that was Batman & Robin) and now he plays a one and a half legged former soldier from the US civil war, portraying a role that most westerns neglect (a secret I will leave for you to find, only if you watch the film). It almost goes without saying that Russell Crowe brings a funny, memorable and layered performance (no real surprise after enjoying him in L.A. Confidential, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man, to name a few).

This is not a western that will win over non-western fans, especially since this is a western made for the 21st century, it is one of, if not THE MOST violent westerns I can remember. It is also a wonderful film for the Firefly/Serenity community, with the quick witted and hilarious Alan Tudyk (I miss Wash).

I grew up watching westerns (mainly John Wayne and Clint Eastwood) and playing Cowboys and Indians. Probably the best western I’ve seen is The Searchers, the most recent western masterpiece to hit theaters has been Unforgiven and this remake follows in the footsteps of these two films (it is by no means better than the other two though). If you are a western fan, this movie needs to be on your list to see (the theatrical experience for this movie is great), especially with the surprise performance by Peter Fonda.

Thanks to iwatchstuff for the above picture.

Enjoy

Dany