3:10 to Yuma

Year of release : 2007

Run time : 2h3min

Genre : Western / Action

Cast : Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Logan Lerman, Ben Foster, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol, Vinessa Shaw, Kevin Durand

The movie is based on the short story of the same name,written by Elmore Leonard and published in 1950,in a pulp magazine. The movie is also a remake of the 1957 movie of the same name.

The year is 1884, in the Arizona Territory, and Dan Evans,a poor rancher and Civil War veteran,owes money to Glen Hollander. Hollander's men burn Dan's barn down, and scatter his cattle, as a last warning.

While searching for his cattle with his sons, he stumbles upon a stagecoach robbery conducted by Ben Wade and his gang.

Wade spots them,and after talking to them,decide they are not a threat,but takes their horses,to make sure "they don't do anything stupid",but does tell him where he's gonna leave his horses,to go get them.

After Wade and his gang leave, Dan saves the coach guard that Wade shot.

Wade and his men ride to town,and divide the loot at the local bar, where Wade stays behind to be with the barmaid.

Dan spots him,after taking the coach guard to the doctor, and asks him for money for the two cows he shot. While they talk,the police surround them,and arrest Wade.

 

After putting together a team that Dan joins for he needs the money, to take Wade to the train to Yuma,in Contention, to the Yuma prison, they leave for Dan's ranch as a decoy for Wade's gang.

During the ride, some men provoke Wade and pay with their lives, while Wade seems to have a soft spot for Dan.

Dan's son is following them.

Dan is a war veteran who is filled with shame,for he feels he failed in the war for he was shot by his own men when they were retreating,losing a leg, and his elder son thinks him weak,saying he'll never be like him. So it feels he is motivated by being a good role model to his son .

Wade seems to be not all bad,as he quotes the Bible when he shoots someone, and he seems to have a side to him he keeps hidden (we see this when he draws),and it seems he befriends Dan because he sees in him the father he could have had (Wade's parents abandoned him,while Dan would do anything to protect his family) and maybe that's why he helps him. His gang is very devoted to him, especially Charlie, but it seems to him they are disposable ,as we see him at the beginning,k1lling one of his crew. He does much worse than that,at the end,and I found myself say "you don't do that to your fan base,as they are the most loyal men one could have,especially Charlie".

Dan's elder son is very passionate,and seems to hate or despise his father for being weak,and letting people walk all over him, but maybe his father does it, because he thinks of them, of what could happen to them if he retaliates,and acts on impulse. Dan's son is driven and wants justice.

I liked the colors,the landscapes, the set design and outfits.

The actors were all great,I think it's the best part of the movie!

The soundtrack was good.

 

The movie is on Paramount+ AppleTv with subscription, for rent / sale on Amazon, AppleTv, Fandango at Home.

Rating : Worth a watch !