3:10 to Yuma [Blu-ray]

This is the best Western since Unforgiven, and perhaps better. Top work bu Bale and Crowe

Good story, good acting. I love the last 20 minutes or so of the movie.

This is a remake of the 1957 film of the same name. Fortunately I saw the original last year, which is a minor classic itself. In general I don't like remakes, however this is well done and Russell Crowe again shows that when he wants to, he can be a terrific actor. Rather surprisingly I thought his performance overshadowed Christian Bale's, who is generally considered a better actor.

The story that Peter Ustinov used to tell of an actor he was working with is never more true than here. Ustinov was in the background in a shot, and the star of the movie turned to him and said "what are you doing?". Ustinov said "I'm doing nothing". The star said "Oh no your not I'M DOING NOTHING". That sort of sums of Russell Crowes performance. He doesn't do a lot, but his not doing a lot is actually very good!

The plot has been told over and over here so to keep it short, Ben Wade (Crowe) is a notorious criminal who has to be put on the 3:10 train to Yuma (where there is a prison). Dan Evans (Bale) is a struggling farmer who being desparate for money volunteers to help, knowing that Wades gang will be on their tail.

The major difference between this film and the original is the inclusion of Dan Evans son as a major character. I didn't think this did any harm, and in places it worked very well.

The single DVD has a few extras on it which are pretty good (commentary/deleted scenes). On the DVD case it says its the best western since Unforgiven. Whilst writing this review I was trying to think of any other westerns since Unforgiven and couldn't remember any... So if I've seen any they obviously didn't have a big impact. This film is by no means perfect but I have no problem recommending it.

This version of the classic western has fine acting by the principals: Russel Crowe and Christian Bale; but over all the original film with Glen Ford and Van Heflin takes the prize. The ambivalence of the two characters was clearer in the original, with both actors playing against type to a certain extent. Still the new version was worth the ride.

This Yuma film is very good. I heard about the original but never saw it. This movie takes place a little after the civil war. And many cultures are represented like the Chinese, Apaches, Buffalo soldiers, and the (Moors etc.). Pay careful attention to background pictures on the walls behind some of Russel Crowe's scenes. The all black wearing Crowe plays a bad guy very well, and I think this movie displays some of his best acting to date. Overall a pretty good action western.