Rent 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

An average Western with moderate performances - 3:10 to Yuma review by Timmy B

Back when there was a sudden resurgence of interest in the Western genre, multiple films were made, some great, some not so great. This firmly falls into the latter. Despite having an amazing cast, with Russell Crowe on anti-hero duties and Christian Bale as the disabled, impoverished ranch hand who is offered a massive payday to transport Crowe’s character to the 3:10 prison train, it never truly catches fire and takes flight.

The film itself tries to deal with many heavy subjects, some of which it does quite well. It is especially well-shown how painful it is for Bale’s character to not be the father he feels they deserve. But there are also many slow moments and as much as there is the big action scene at the end, it is in many ways too little too late. Crowe also gives in many ways an autopilot performance, which is a shame considering how good he can be.

But the film itself is very well-shot and the rollcall of actors means that it is never boring to be around. I just wished it had been more than this. However, it is absolutely a 3-star film and worth a watch.

Western Remake (spoiler) - 3:10 to Yuma review by Steve

Ultra-suspenseful western expanded from a short story by Elmore Leonard. There are many effective changes from the 1957 adaptation by Delmer Daves. That was a psychological noir mostly staged in studio interiors. This retains some of the mind games but is an action film shot on location. And is much more violent.

A killer outlaw (Russell Crowe) is captured after a bloody stagecoach heist and escorted across Apache territory to catch a train to Yuma for trial and imprisonment, while his psycho-comrades attempt to free him. The last guard standing is a rancher (Christian Bale) who needs the $200 fee to save his barren fields and suffering family

And the feeling of jeopardy builds as he nears the departure time and the murderer tries to get inside the farmer's head. The stars don't quite equal Glenn Ford and Van Heflin in the original and Crowe's smirk gets a bit tiresome, but they are fine. Ben Foster makes an impact as the pitiless gunman leading the remainder of the gang.

The muted colour photography brings atmosphere. There's a decent script with interesting subtext about frontier justice, and an Oscar nominated score. The idea is overextended but still compelling and James Mangold directs with some style. While this doesn't surpass the Daves classic, it's a thrilling western on its own terms.

Western schtik, by numbers. - 3:10 to Yuma review by IanF

3:10 to Uma is ok, but for me the ending lets it down. The action, especially at the end, seemed driven by computer games violence, with no logic or believability.

Keep Watching Its Worth It - 3:10 to Yuma review by CP Customer

Not necessarly everyones type of film but definatey worth a recommendation. I loved the ending it ( I wont give it away) but wasnt what I was expecting. Not the normal type of western but well worth a looksee