The good versus evil thing was a huge selling point for Westerns back in the 1950s and early 1960s. People use to love that stuff, with a gunslinging hero who leaves everything behind to go after an outlaw who has been harming people. It’s a tale that never gets old until it did, and the Western genre itself came to an end. However, in the age of modern filmmaking, we’ve got a bunch of films that are now pulling back the Western genre. 3:10 To Yuma (2007) was one of the best attempts at doing so, a direct remake of the 1957 film.
How to Download 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. If you like Western films, check out also The Call of the Wild, News of the World, The Power of the Dog, The Revenant, or The Magnificent Seven.
The Movie Review
3:10 To Yuma follows the story of Dan Evans (Christian Bale), a poor rancher and Civil War veteran who agrees to transport the notorious outlaw Ben Wade to the town of Contention, where he will be put on a train to Yuma Prison.
The journey is dangerous and full of obstacles, as Wade’s gang will do anything to free him, and Evans’ own group of men begin to doubt his ability to complete the task. The film is a classic Western tale of good versus evil, with a fresh plaster of modernization upon it.
The film’s writing is the main step up, none of that corniness of the 50s is present in this retelling, as the script was written from scratch with only inspiration taken from the original story. The dialogue is much less memorable, but it’s sharper than its predecessor with more confrontational writing at the forefront. Director James Mangold is a master at his craft, and he uses this premise to his strength, turning it into an in-depth character study of the protagonist Evans and the antagonist Wade.
The film creates a tense and unique atmosphere, one that you won’t find in most Westerns of the 50s. The film walks on such a sharp edge between meditative and action-oriented filmmaking, that you can physically feel it.
The balance of the action with the quieter moments of introspection between the different characters results in a very organic development of both the story and plot. It’s an exciting movie to watch at every moment, but it’s also emotionally powerful due to its somber moments. The climax does rush things a bit, but things do work out in the end for a satisfying conclusion.
The film also features some phenomenal performances to support it.
Russell Crowe delivers a standout performance as Ben Wade, a charismatic and dangerous outlaw with a dangerously complex past. His chemistry with Christian Bale is off the charts, and Bale himself is excellent as Dan Evans too. He perfectly portrays the struggling man, trying to do the right thing in the face of overwhelming uncertainty. The supporting cast, including Ben Foster, Peter Fonda, and Logan Lerman is also strong incredibly strong.
3:10 to Yuma just doesn’t miss in the acting department.
The Visuals
Even if you’re not a huge fan of the cinematography in most Westerns, with their washed-out colors and dry vistas, there is always something exciting about them. 3:10 To Yuma is one of the films that utilize that format to the best of its capabilities.
The cinematography might not be the best you’ll see, but there are a lot of beautiful shots in the film. Not to mention, the production design is great, all of the locations feel lived-in, and it’s hard to question anything.
The Music
The original score by Marco Beltrami is a highlight here. It captures not only the essence of the original but also the wild west in general, and it evolves as a modern take on this story should. It sounds like a soundtrack from the 60s on first listening, but then you hear the subtle synths and the subtle electronics coming in, and turning it into a modern and beautiful version.
The track Bible Study from the album is one of the best pieces of modern Western film soundtracks.
Verdict
3:10 To Yuma is a fresh take on the classic Western genre. The writing is sharp, the script delves into the characters’ complexities, the performances are great, James Mangold’s direction is tight, and while the cinematography may not be the best, there are plenty of visually stunning shots. Not to mention, Marco Beltrami’s original score is a masterpiece. There are some minor flaws such as the less quote-worthy dialogue and a somewhat rushed climax.
Nevertheless, 3:10 To Yuma is an emotionally powerful film that is worth experiencing.
