3:10 to Yuma

Alright, alright, so I am a little behind. Things have been crazy this month and well, well anyway I am back on track and ready to spit some knowledge about this Fall's flicks. And what a way to kick off the fall than with a good ole fashion Western chaulk full of six shooters, stage coaches, a gang of mean cusses, and indians (i know the correct term is native americans, but I am working on a theme, anyway) hard to ask for much more than that. 3:10 to Yuma is the story of a wounded Revolutionary War veteran who establishes a small ranch in Arizona only to have it threatened by a wealthy land owner who wants him off his land so that he can clear it for the rail road. Christian Bale plays the role of Dan Evans, the small rancher trying to support his family. Just as things seems beyond saving Bale is given the opportunity to save his land and home by escorting one of the west's most notorius theieves, Ben Wade played by Russell Crowe, to a train station where he will board the 3:10 train headed to Yuma where Wade will be imprisoned and eventually executed. During thier journey to the train station Wade and Evans learn that there is more to the other than can be seen on the outside and eventually come to respect and appreciate one another.

Given the story and strength of the cast it is hard to imagine that this wouldn't be a great movie and other than a rather peculiar ending, which didn't hurt the movie it was just weird, this was a great movie. Christian Bale can pull of the pensive, introspective character as well as anyone in teh business and for a change Russell Crowe did not cry in one of his movies, not that there is anything wrong with that. In addition to a great cast, the movie was very well done. The director, James Mangold, did a great job making the film look like it was shot entirely on location and included some great enviornments.

I don't really consider myself a western type of guy. I am definately a bigger fan of the modern western more than the John Wayne of even early Clint Eastwood films, but this was really a solid flick, from begining to end it did not drag and fall off in the middle, but maintained momentum through the entire movie. I definately recommend it to anyone old enough to get in. This is a good time.

GRADE - B+