James Mangold’s remake of the classic 1957 western “3:10 To Yuma” is one of my all-time favorites in the genre. I decided to revisit the film recently on its 17th anniversary.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long. Upon its release, this was just my fourth exposure to Christian Bale, and right in the heart of when Russell Crowe was atop the actors’ A-List.
Let’s revisit “3:10 to Yuma” 17 years later in my latest movie review.
3:10 to Yuma Celebrates 17 Years: A Legacy Review
This film truly takes you back and embodies the 1800s. It transports the viewer to the days of cowboys/Indians, stagecoaches and how brutal humans can truly be. It also shows how desperate times were and the measures one man would go to provide for his family.
Back then, more than we’d like to admit, it was a life-or-death situation. That was no different here for Dan Evans (Bale). He put his life on the line, taking a job to help transport a prisoner and Arizona territory legend Ben Wade (Crowe) to catch the 3:10 train to Yuma.
A Dangerous Dance
Bale and Crowe shine in their performances as two sweaty, rage-filled stars traveling through the Arizona wilderness. Their chemistry is balanced to near perfection, and I was enthralled by each. Bale is pathetically stubborn and heartfelt. He does everything he can to save his family property, while he has a son who despises how weak-minded he thinks he is. However, he’s reserved and hides that rage inside of him, only to let it out if the situation is at its wit’s end.
For all the incredible performances Crowe has turned in, this one might be my favorite and perhaps most widely underrated. He is so good in this film. Yes, he is the “bad guy,” but he is one of those bad guys you almost cheer on and like. His character is extremely likable, nearly an antihero, and he’s only a nasty, mean bastard when he needs to be. He runs a bloodthirsty outfit, but he’s so charismatic you look past it. You listen to him talk, and you forget all the bad. It’s a standout performance and one of his best.
Keeping it On the Rails
The rest of the cast is filled in nicely. In my opinion, Ben Foster (as Charlie Prince here) will always be an extremely underrated actor. No matter the role, you’ll never get a half-assed performance. He’s unhinged, disgusting and a total badass in “3:10 to Yuma.” Shout outs to Logan Lerman as Bale’s eldest son, William Evans, and Peter Fonda (Byron McElroy), who also turn in solid supporting roles.
The cinematography is beautifully done, and I love the landscape nod to the old-time Western feel: The rolling hills, deserts and even the snow-capped mountains. It was great work from Phedon Papamichael, ASC.
Perhaps the most underrated and least talked about piece of this gold throughout is Marco Beltrami’s score. Everything he did here fit the bill and correlated perfectly with what was happening on screen. It’s beautiful and haunting, adding just a little extra to make the film that much better. Hence, he was nominated for an Oscar for “3:10 to Yuma.”
“For a one-leg rancher.. he’s one tough son of a bitch.” – Charlie Prince (Foster)
I urge anyone who hasn’t watched this to rush to Netflix to watch it if you are a fan of Westerns. Heck, even if you don’t like them a lot, watch it for the performances; it might even turn you into a fan of the genre. I last saw this film over a decade ago and enjoyed it even more this time around. It stands the test of time.
RELATED: Entertainment Stock Market: The 30 Best Male Actors Under 30
Thanks for reading my “3:10 to Yama” movie review, as the film celebrates 17 years!
Don’t forget to follow me on “Letterboxd,” the movie lovers’ social media platform to review films, create lists, save a watch list and just communicate with other movie lovers. You can also find me on Twitter/X @snag1025 for more entertainment content and reviews!