2008 Woodie Awards
Yuma is redone
Robert Dora
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Entertainment
3:10 to Yuma is more than a tribute to the American Western. Yuma tells the tale of a one legged rancher and a famous outlaw. Christian Bale portrays Dan Evans, an ex-soldier that lost his left leg in the Civil War. Ben Wade, Russell Crowe, is the leader of a ruthless team of bandits. Evans stumbles upon Wade in mid-robbery, and then proceeds to help the sheriff capture him. The railroad company hires Mr. Evans and several others, to deliver Wade to Contention. A train to Yuma arrives in Contention at 3:10 pm, hence the title. Evan's crew is told to put Wade on the train, so that he can be charged and hung in Yuma.
3:10 to Yuma is a remake of a 1957 film. Yuma doesn't use tons of special effects, and it doesn't need to. The film isn't trying to change the genre; it simply tries to make it the best that it can be. The director places the weight of the story on the two lead actors; I believe they're responsible for its success.
Bale isn't at his best, but he still delivers a great performance. Crowe breathes life into the role of Ben Wade. He is able to convey both kindness and brutality in a single look. Wade is a complicated character. He appears compassionate, at times, while he seems to be a sociopath the rest of the time. The character drips with arrogance. Crowe tackles this effortlessly. The two characters play off of each other, sucking viewers in.
Yuma constantly keeps the audience entertained. The plot stems from the ideas of the Westerns before it, but the story is full of surprises, nonetheless. It's hard to decide who to root for at times. 3:10 to Yuma is certainly an incredible ride that's worth renting.
3:10 to Yuma is a remake of a 1957 film. Yuma doesn't use tons of special effects, and it doesn't need to. The film isn't trying to change the genre; it simply tries to make it the best that it can be. The director places the weight of the story on the two lead actors; I believe they're responsible for its success.
Bale isn't at his best, but he still delivers a great performance. Crowe breathes life into the role of Ben Wade. He is able to convey both kindness and brutality in a single look. Wade is a complicated character. He appears compassionate, at times, while he seems to be a sociopath the rest of the time. The character drips with arrogance. Crowe tackles this effortlessly. The two characters play off of each other, sucking viewers in.
Yuma constantly keeps the audience entertained. The plot stems from the ideas of the Westerns before it, but the story is full of surprises, nonetheless. It's hard to decide who to root for at times. 3:10 to Yuma is certainly an incredible ride that's worth renting.
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