FILM CHALLENGE: 143) 3:10 To Yuma

143) 3:10 To Yuma

Director: James Mangold

Year: 2007

Plot Summary: Rancher Dan Evans heads into Bisbee to clear up issues concerning the sale of his land when he witnesses the closing events of a stagecoach robbery led by famed outlaw Ben Wade. Shortly thereafter, Wade is captured by the law in Bisbee and Evans finds himself one of the escorts who will take Wade to the 3:10 to Yuma train in Contention for the reward of $200. Evans's effort to take Wade to the station is in part an effort to save his land but also part of an inner battle to determine whether he can be more than just a naive rancher in the eyes of his impetuous and gunslinging son William Evans.

Those expecting to see a throw back to the classic Sergio Leone or John Ford movies may be disappointed because, while it has the appearance of a western, 3:10 To Yuma is pretty much just a contemporary action movie. Switch the saloons for night clubs, the open ranges for an urban city and the horses for BMWs and it wouldn't be that much different from the likes of Heat or The Town in its style. That, however, is not meant as an insult against director James Mangold because his approach allows a modern audience to embrace the beauty of the genre, one that is generally mocked or parodied in this day and age.

The narrative moves along at the speed of a bullet and not for a split second does it let its grip loosen on you. The dialogue, moreover, is sharp and to the point without ever feeling rushed or unrealistic. And the action sequences, well, they are just marvellous. While many action movies tend to mimic the scenes of other chases or shootouts, 3:10 To Yuma makes the most of its setting and provides some inventive set pieces that you'll find impossible to draw your attention away from.

As well as the external action of the shootouts and horse back chases, however, the internal action that takes place inside the two main characters is just as exciting. Watching the innocent yet determined Dan Evans, performed by Christian Bale, play off against the unpredictable and ruthless Ben Wade, another great role from Russell Crowe, is one of the most gripping aspects of the movie. The former's evolution from a weak farmer who won't stand up for himself to the heroic man he becomes in the end is equally fantastic to watch.

Peter Fonda's bounty hunter hell-bent on retribution, Dallas Roberts' railroad man who gets in way over his head and especially the frightening and icy Ben Foster are also terrific in their smaller roles. Each one giving their characters an extra depth that keeps the narrative involving even during the quieter, dialogue-driven moments.

Moreover, while it's not a deep film with any rich themes, the morally complex core of 3:10 To Yuma definitely provides a little food for thought which is rarely seen in this era of special effects and 3D.

The back of the DVD has a quote from The Daily Mail proclaiming it's a masterpiece. It's not. What it is, however, is a thoroughly entertaining and brilliantly performed action movie that, in terms of its storytelling, is difficult to fault.

4/5

By Daniel Sarath with 2 comments