A complex unraveling of the forces that drive a man to action is not something often found in classic westerns. Neither are stagecoach chases featuring 19th Century machine gun fights and an exploding horse, but the audience shouldn’t hold that against “3:10 to Yuma,” a remake of a classic 1950s western of the same name, lest it miss out on an excellent modern take on the genre.
“3:10 to Yuma” stars Russell Crowe as Ben Wade, the leader of a murderous outfit of stagecoach bandits who, after wrapping up his 22nd heist on a local railroad company, is cornered by local marshals out to hang him. When the manager of the railroad offers a high price to anyone willing to escort the bandit to the titular 3:10 train to Yuma Prison, rancher Dan Evans (Christian Bale) volunteers.
This sets up a classic pursuit adventure in which Evans and a gaggle of bounty hunters and lawmen join together as they attempt to get to the train before Wade’s gang can catch up and free its boss. Evans appears desperate for cash to save his ranch, but his motivations become increasingly complex as Wade’s gang increases the intensity of the chase as the film approaches its finale.
The action and effects in the movie are the most modern touch to the western, and they work well to pull the audience in. The director is a fan of the “shaky cam” cinematography in action scenes, and though overdone in many movies of recent years, it actually works here, simulating the tumultuous nature of horseback combat. Each sequence is well planned, effectively capturing the surroundings to make each scene unique and fun to watch. The finale alone is worth the price of admission.
Exploring what propels Evans and Wade forward is central to the film and also highlights its shining moments. What keeps Evans working to put Wade away, particularly when Wade offers to pay him off to let him free? What moves Wade to cooperate with his captors, in some cases even helping them escape from the dangers they face along their journey? The film sets up contradictions between characters’ words and actions that makes for some interesting characterization.
Both Bale and Crowe deliver on this characterization with some excellent performances. Bale sells the complexity of Evan’s character, a man who seems quiet and yet, at times, reveals himself to have the heart of a lion, if only to redeem his honor lost in the Civil War. Crowe crafts a deep and satisfying anti-hero, egging on Evans with a devious sense of wit and teasing out the deeper levels underlying the actions of his captor.
The only real shame is that other interesting characters get little screen time. It’s a smart move to tailor the focus of the film, but it is still a shame to see some great performers under-used.
All this is layered on top of a driven, tight plot with a fantastic finale that leaves the audience on the edge of its seat until the very end, both from the well-thought out action sequences and the compelling and ever-changing characters. A last-minute summer must-see.
