“They’re gonna hang me in the morning… I’ll never see the sun,” hums the notorious Western outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) after stabbing Tucker (Kevin Durand), who was ironically disturbing Ben with that very same song, repeatedly in his throat.

An update of a 1957 western-based story by Elmore Leonard, James Mangold’s modern version of 3:10 to Yuma is certainly no boring ol’ cowboy show. Void of typical cowboy showdowns, the movie is a modern version of the quintessential American genre, western.

Ben Wade and Dan Evans (Christian Bale) live on opposite extremes of the West. One is a former Union Army sharpshooter turned rancher who came out of the Civil War with a hobbled leg and degraded to a modest life in the Arizona territory. The other is an infamous outlaw whose roguish charm, violent hold-ups and loyal gang make a legend.

When uncurbed corruption and an ongoing draught render Dan towards poverty, he sticks to the righteous side, refusing to stoop to the level of his tormentors. Aware of how his son Will’s (Logan Lerman) respect for him is waning and his wife is beginning to question his resolve, Dan seizes the opportunity of saving his ranch by arresting and joining the posse who is to escort him to the town of Contention for a reward.

Leading the expedition is veteran bounty hunter Byron McElroy (Peter Fonda), a deadly God fearing mercenary with a burning hatred of Wade. The group also includes Tucker, a local thug; and Doc Potter (Alan Tudyk), a gentle veterinarian with little taste for violence. But even when Ben is in shackles, he’s one deadly cowboy, killing and trying to escape whenever he can. While they were escorting Ben to the train to Contention, the numbers of the posse dwindle as Dan’s beliefs to do the things he has to do to complete the mission strengthen.

As Dan and Ben draw closer to the train to Yuma, they discover a hidden kinship and Dan finds the chance to redeem himself, in his eyes, his family’s eyes and also the chance to teach his son what it is to be a man.

3:10 to Yuma has an incredible story build up that will stir up an increasing interest to pursue the journey to Contention to the end. What starts off as a seemingly drab movie will have you smiling, reflecting and satisfied when the credits roll. Not only are the action scenes realistic and gripping, there’s the emotional quotient present so you don’t feel like you’re watching a meaningless action flick.

Also commendable was Ben Foster’s performance as the ruthless Charlie Prince, Ben Wade’s second-in-command. A different side of Foster is shown juxtaposed to his character, Angel, in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand. Charlie Prince is anything but an angel, showing off how he kills swiftly and without emotion.

His lack of mercy leaves the audience hating him yet at the same time admiring the amount of respect and loyalty he has to Ben, therein creating a love hate relationship for his character, Charlie.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Movie Details:

Opens: Jan 17

Running Time: 117 mins

Language: English

Cast: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Ben Foster

Director: James Mangold