Proving that remakes (and westerns) can be viable, this stunning action film is one of 2007's best.

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Written by Evan Nathans

Classic, yet modern!

There are few out there who regularly follow the world of film who would disagree that Hollywood’s proclivity on remaking each and every single movie ever made is a bit frustrating. While there’s certainly room to improve upon hackneyed first-efforts and poorly made attempts (see nearly every superhero film prior to 2000), there are some films in which the mere mention of ‘remake’ brings unnatural feelings of terror and more recently, internet damnation. Honestly it’s not difficult to see why, as most of the actual remakes themselves are quite unnecessary and often lacking reasons (other than financial) for their existence. Thankfully James Mangold’s 2007 update to the well-regarded 3:10 to Yuma bucks that trend and deserves no vitriol for its efforts.

Those expecting a cerebral, talky western based on Hollywood favorite Elmore Leonard’s (Get Shorty, Jackie Brown) might be in for a surprise as elements from the 1957 original have been considerably upgraded with a modernized sense of action and purpose. The remake (like the original) follows ex-Union Army soldier and family man Dan Evans (Christian Bale) as he struggle to fulfill the needs of his family as the meager livelihood of his farm is challenged by the threat of progress in the form of an expanding railroad. As fate would have it Evans soon finds himself able to earn $200 to help transport the notorious criminal Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the town of Contention, where his final trip before execution will be the titular 3:10 to Yuma.

As with any western worth its salt it’s all about the acting, and there’s certainly no deficit here. The entire cast does an admirable job, with plenty of opportunities for the secondary cast to shine. Peter Fonda is typically excellent as a determined bounty hunter, as is the rising talent of Ben Foster (Angel in the third XMEN) as a psychopathic on a mission to free Ben Wade (Crowe) from execution.

Christian Bale (Dan Evans) wants desperately to provide for his family but never rises above mere competence. His torment of perpetual disappointment in all things is one of his finer performances, which is saying something considering how deeply he typically invests himself. Most astonishing is Crowe’s Ben Wade. As with his most memorable roles he commands the screen with such a presence that not only reminds us of just how fine an actor he really is, but of how truly terrifying he can be. Any doubt of his potential to dominate a role so completely is erased here.

Director James Mangold (Walk the Line) wisely keeps his western in the right spirit, updating the genres look and feel to modern filmmaking standards without sacrificing the integrity of the story or his actors. The result is a film that looks astonishingly modern, but still very much at home in the old west. This isn't a dirty, steely eyed cowboy film, but it certainly isn't sanitized, either. The film's score, composed with confidence by Marco Beltrami (Terminator 3, I, Robot) is both appropriate and remarkably descriptive, a lush reminder of the emotional baggage of the whole affair. Although some might argue that there’s one too many explosions of convenience and too few locales, there's plenty of room for these characters to breathe and for those who might not have considered such a film a good night at the movies.

3:10 to Yuma isn’t just a striking, bold revision of the western genre; it’s a seriously entertaining, smart and powerful action movie. It reconsiders the possibility of narrative action for an audience weaned on modern action and superspy thrillers, but does so without alienating those long-time fans who've been starved for something new. There's more than enough action to satisfy fans craving a fix, but intelligent enough to keep what you just saw stewing in the back of your head long after the credits finish rolling. One of the best remakes in the history of cinema and certainly one of 2007's very best cinematic experiences. Definitely a must-see and a spectacular entertainment.